Pyrite Crystal

The term 'pyrite' refers to a whole group of minerals, yet it is usually ascribed to the most popular form: iron pyrite (or iron disulfide) AKA Fool’s Gold is a metallic yellow mineral that closely resembles gold in hue. However, the properties of pyrite mineral are much different than those of gold; where gold is soft and malleable with a hardness of 2.5, pyrite is brittle in nature and has a hardness of about 6.5 on Mohs scale. Tell-tale striations often also line Pyrite’s brassy glistening cubic facets, distinguishing them from gold.

Pyrites are an abundant group of minerals that are found all over the world. Naturally occurring iron disulfide (or iron pyrite) is the most abundant mineral in the metal sulfide group. The pyrite family includes cattierite, arsenopyrite, Chalcopyrite and vaesite and is characterized by the ability to spark when struck with steel. The name ‘pyrite’ comes from the Greek Pyr which means “fire.” Before the magic of modern electricity, this provided portability of fire, an enviable asset. This chemical property led to pyrite’s popularity as an ignition source in the 16th and 17th century firearms. Pyrite’s most well-known use in a weapon is in the wheellock, where a sample of pyrite was rubbed against a circular file or a similar object to produce a shower of sparks that ignites the gunpowder in the pan. The brittle nature of pyrite did not lend itself to this process, and it later was replaced by flint.

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Pyrite is a sulfide mineral that is chemically similar to other sulfide minerals such as galena (lead sulfide), marcasite (iron sulfide) and gypsum (calcium sulfate). It is commonly found in association with these minerals, as well as with Hematite, Sphalerite, Barite and Dolomite. The best Pyrite crystals are found in the Ica region of Peru, the Sierra de Caballos in Spain and in the states of Chihuahua and Sonora in Mexico. Marcasite jewelry (sometimes misspelled mercasite) is actually Pyrite, as the properties of true marcasite are chemically unstable and unfit for working with as jewelry.

Also known as ‘Fool’s Gold,’ Pyrite became especially well-known during the California Gold Rush in the 1840’s. Often mistaken for gold, Pyrite forms under similar conditions as gold and often the two metals can form side by side in the same molten vein. Inexperienced gold panners may have felt foolish mistaking it for gold back then but it certainly does hold value. Besides many potential benefits that are attributed to this mineral, there are also now metallurgic processes that can extract the “invisible” gold deposits out of Pyrite that have a commercially significant amount of gold. These practices are much better for the environment than the traditional mining process. Pyrite is found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary environments. Often in the sedimentary situation, this mineral is known to replace organic material and create fossils; in black shale particularly.

Pyrite has a brassy golden metallic luster, and its cubic faces shine a golden orange yellow color. The pyrite that appears as marcasite jewelry features a more muted silvery luster. When it tarnishes, it exudes an iridescence.