mineral

Pyrite

Iron Sulfide (FeS2)

Hardness: 6.0 - 6.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Brass-yellow with a metallic luster; Streak: Greenish-black to brownish-black; Crystal structure: Cubic, pyritohedral, or octahedral; Cleavage: Poor/indistinct; Specific Gravity: ~5.0.

Hardness: 6
Color: Brass-yellow with a metallic luster
Streak: Greenish-black to brownish-black

Identified July 26, 2026More mineral →

Explore Pyrite in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms as a primary or secondary mineral in sedimentary, metamorphic, and hydrothermal igneous deposits. It is often found associated with other sulfides and oxides in vein systems.

Uses & applications

Historically used as a source of sulfur and sulfuric acid. Today, it is primarily used in educational sets, jewelry (marcasite jewelry), and collected as display specimens.

Geological facts

Famous for its nickname 'Fool's Gold' due to its superficial resemblance to real gold. Unlike soft, malleable gold, pyrite is brittle and hard enough to scratch glass.

Field identification & locations

Look for a metallic brass-yellow color, cubic crystal shape, or striations on crystal faces. Test hardness (harder than a knife blade) and streak (dark greenish-black). Widely distributed globally, with notable deposits in Spain, Peru, USA, and Italy.