mineral

Pyrite in Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Sulfide (FeS2)

Hardness: 6-7 (Quartz) / 6-6.5 (Pyrite); Color: White/Translucent milky quartz with metallic brassy-yellow pyrite; Luster: Vitreous to metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Cubic; Cleavage: None/Poor; Specific gravity: 2.65 - 5.0

Hardness: 6-7 (Quartz) / 6-6
Luster: Vitreous to metallic

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins through precipitation from hot, mineral-rich fluids in various geological ages. Often found in proximity to igneous intrusions.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as decorative specimens for collectors, metaphysical uses, and occasionally crushed for industrial quartz or source of sulfur/iron in the past.

Geological facts

Pyrite is known as 'Fool\'s Gold' because of its metallic luster and yellow hue, which often deceived prospectors into thinking they had found real gold.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the brassy metallic flecks embedded in hard milky white stone. Found globally in mining districts. Collectors value high-contrast specimens with visible crystal faces.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Biotite Schist

Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]

metamorphic