the.com/magnetite

the original compass, forged in volcanoes and stuffed inside the brains of migrating birds.

means Magnetite is a naturally magnetic iron oxide mineral (Fe3O4), the most magnetic of all the naturally occurring minerals on Earth.

from The name comes from Latin 'magnes' (magnet), itself from Greek 'magnetis lithos' — meaning 'stone of Magnesia,' after a region in Asia Minor where the lodestone was famously found. The popular story credits a shepherd named Magnes whose iron-nailed sandals stuck to the ground, but that's almost certainly a charming legend grafted onto the place-name. The '-ite' suffix is the standard mineralogist's tag for naming rocks and minerals, from Greek '-ites,' 'belonging to.'

first magnet: Ancient lodestones were naturally magnetized magnetite chunks
in your skull: Human brains contain trace magnetite crystals
bird GPS: Pigeons navigate using magnetite-based magnetic sensing
iron crown: Richest natural iron ore, up to 72 percent iron
lightning made: Strikes can magnetize magnetite into natural lodestones

for instance

kiruna iron ore mine — swedish magnetite mine producing 26.8 million tons annually, one of world's largest

itabira mine — brazilian magnetite deposit operated by vale, supplies global iron production

magnetotactic bacteria — microorganisms like magnetospirillum that use magnetite crystals to navigate earth's magnetic field