metamorphic
Pyrite-bearing quartz–mica rock
Likely quartz–mica schist with disseminated pyrite (FeS₂) and quartz veins
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectGray, strongly foliated matrix with shiny brassy grains and white quartz; mica has Mohs hardness 2–3, quartz 7, and pyrite 6–6.5. The visible glitter and layering fit a schist, though a photograph cannot confirm the mineral identification.
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Physical properties
Gray, strongly foliated matrix with shiny brassy grains and white quartz; mica has Mohs hardness 2–3, quartz 7, and pyrite 6–6.5. The visible glitter and layering fit a schist, though a photograph cannot confirm the mineral identification.
Formation & geological history
Formed when clay-rich sediment was buried and metamorphosed under heat and pressure; pyrite may have formed during metamorphism or earlier sediment alteration. Its age and exact formation setting cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Mostly a collector specimen; quartz–mica rocks have limited decorative or local construction use, while pyrite is collected for its metallic appearance.
Geological facts
Pyrite is iron sulfide, not gold; it is harder and more brittle, and typically forms cubic crystals when well developed.
Field identification & locations
Look for aligned mica flakes that give the rock a layered sheen, white quartz veins, and brassy grains that are brittle rather than malleable. Similar schists occur in metamorphic belts worldwide; confirm pyrite with a streak test (greenish-black to brown-black).
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