mineral

Polished metallic sulfide-bearing pebble

Likely pyrite-bearing slate, schist, or sulfide-rich ore; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Dark gray to black, rounded and polished, with silvery metallic patches and brassy-yellow grains. Likely hardness about 3–6 overall; pyrite is Mohs 6–6.5, metallic luster, cubic crystals, and no cleavage, while the host rock may show layering or foliation.

Identified August 21, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished metallic sulfide-bearing pebble
Scientific name: Likely pyrite-bearing slate, schist, or sulfide-rich ore; exact identification requires testing
Category: mineral
Identified: August 21, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $2–$15 for a common polished pebble; $20–$75 if it proves to contain attractive, well-formed pyrite or unusual ore textures.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Probably formed by hydrothermal or metamorphic processes that concentrated sulfide minerals in a fine-grained host rock; age depends on locality and cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Primarily a decorative or collector specimen; pyrite-bearing material may be studied as an ore, but this small polished piece has little industrial value.

Geological facts

The yellow metallic mineral may be pyrite (“fool’s gold”), chalcopyrite, or mica; color alone cannot distinguish them. A streak, hardness, magnetism, and specific-gravity test would improve identification.

Field identification & locations

Commonly encountered in metamorphic belts and hydrothermal ore districts worldwide, including Spain, Peru, China, and the United States. Pyrite streaks dark greenish-black; chalcopyrite streaks dark gray-black and is softer.