metamorphic

Weathered sulfide-bearing rock, likely pyrite-rich schist

Pyrite (FeS₂) in mica/quartz-rich schist; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

The specimen appears olive-gray to brassy yellow, granular, and irregular, with a dull to locally metallic luster. Pyrite has Mohs hardness 6–6.5, cubic crystals, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 5.0; the host schist is softer and foliated.

Identified September 4, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when sulfur- and iron-bearing fluids or sediments were metamorphosed, concentrating pyrite within a foliated silicate rock. The specimen’s precise geological age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Pyrite is collected as “fool’s gold” and occasionally used for sulfur or sulfuric-acid production; schist has limited construction use but is generally unsuitable as aggregate when sulfide-rich.

Geological facts

A dark streak and brittle fracture help distinguish pyrite from native gold, which is softer and leaves a yellow streak. Oxidation can produce rusty iron-oxide coatings and acidic drainage.

Field identification & locations

Look for metallic brassy grains, cubic forms, a dark greenish-black streak, and a hard scratch that resists steel. Common settings include hydrothermal veins and metamorphosed sulfide deposits worldwide.