mineral
Pyrite
Iron Sulfide (FeS2)
Hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, brass-yellow to pale bronze color, metallic luster, isometric crystal system with cubic or pyritohedral forms, indistinct cleavage, and a specific gravity of around 5.0.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, brass-yellow to pale bronze color, metallic luster, isometric crystal system with cubic or pyritohedral forms, indistinct cleavage, and a specific gravity of around 5.0.
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide variety of geological environments ranging from igneous and metamorphic rocks to sedimentary deposits, typically precipitating from hydrothermal solutions or in reducing marine environments.
Uses & applications
Used historically for striking fire, currently utilized in sulfur and sulfuric acid production, semiconductor research, and widely prized by mineral collectors.
Geological facts
Commonly known as 'Fool's Gold' due to its superficial resemblance to real gold, pyrite frequently forms striking natural cubic crystals and can sometimes contain minor amounts of gold as a solid solution.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its brass-yellow color, high hardness (scratches glass, unlike real gold), metallic luster, and blackish-green streak. Found globally, with notable deposits in Peru, Spain, Italy, and the United States.
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