Open Adit™ - Pyrite Datasheet

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Pyrite, or iron pyrite has isometric crystals that usually appear as cubes or pyritohedrons. Its metallic luster and pale-to-normal brass-yellow color have earned it the nickname fool's gold, but ironically enough, small quantities of actual gold can sometimes be found in pyrite. In fact, some auriferous pyrite is a very valuable ore of gold, and others are excellent ores of arsenic, nickel, cobalt and copper.

Pyrite is often confused with the mineral marcasite. Marcasite is a polymorph of pyrite, which means it has the same chemistry as pyrite but a different structure and, therefore, different symmetry and crystal shapes. The marcasite/pyrite polymorph pair is probably the most famous polymorph pair next to the diamond/graphite pair. Pyrite is often used in jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets, but although the two are similar, marcasite cannot be used in jewelry as it has a tendency to crumble and turn into powder. Adding to the confusion between marcasite and pyrite is the use of the word marcasite as a jewelry trade name. The term is applied to small polished and faceted stones that are inlaid in sterling silver, but even though they are called marcasite, they are actually pyrite.

Chemistry:

FeS₂ - Iron Sulfide

Class:

Sulfides

Group:

Pyrite

Crystal:

Isometric (Cubic)

Color:

Light brass-yellow, tarnishing iridescent and darkens

Streak:

green-black to brown-black

Metallic

Opaque

5.0

6 - 6.5

Imperfect

Conchoidal to uneven

Combinations of cubic crystals, striated, stalactitic and spherical aggregates, massive

Luminescence:

None

Frequency:

Common

Origin:

Magmatic segregations in basic rocks with pyrrhotite and pentlanditie in pegmatites and skarns; hydrothermal in porphyry and vein deposits together with other sulfides; hydrothermal, sedimentary and metamorphic.

Occurrence:

Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; Park City, Utah, USA; Llallagua, Bolivia; Rio Tinto, Spain; Navajun, Spain; Climax, Colorado, USA

Application:

Production of sulfuric acid, used in jewelry under the trade name "marcasite" and as a mineral specimen

Pyrite Gallery

Metaphysical Properties

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