mineral

Quartz with Pyrite

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Sulfide (FeS2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale for quartz and 6-6.5 for pyrite; white to clear with metallic brass-yellow specks; vitreous to metallic luster; trigonal crystal system for quartz and isometric for pyrite; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65 for quartz and 5.0 for pyrite.

Identified August 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins where mineral-rich hot water solutions deposit silica and sulfide minerals under high pressure and temperature over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in mineral specimen collecting, lapidary arts, and educational displays.

Geological facts

Pyrite is commonly known as 'fool's gold' due to its brassy metallic sheen that has historically confused inexperienced prospectors looking for actual gold.

Field identification & locations

Found worldwide in association with ore veins and pegmatites; identified by its hardness, distinct crystal habits, and contrasting metallic flecks embedded in a white matrix.

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

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Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments

Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate

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Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)

FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)

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Septarian Pebble

Septarian nodule / Concretion

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Schist

Metamorphic

Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)

Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)

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