Pyrite
What is Pyrite?
Pyrite is a brass-yellow mineral with a bright metallic luster. It’s primarily found in Spain, Peru, and the United States. Pyrite is often mistaken for gold and hence is also known as ‘Fool’s Gold’. It’s often used as a gemstone and is a popular choice for jewelry due to its unique appearance and spiritual significance.
Pyrite is a brass-yellow mineral that resembles gold, earning it the nickname ‘Fool’s Gold’. Its metallic luster and unique appearance make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items. The stone is often used in rings, necklaces, and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Sulfide |
| Color | Pyrite is typically brass-yellow. |
| Streak | Greenish-Black |
| Luster | It has a metallic luster. |
| Transparency | Pyrite is an opaque mineral. |
| Occurrence | Pyrite can be found worldwide, with significant deposits in Spain, Italy, and Peru. |
| Formation | Pyrite forms in various geological environments, including sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks, often in association with other sulfide minerals. |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Cleavage | Perfect in two directions |
| Mohs Hardness | 6 to 6.5. |
| Specific Gravity | The specific gravity of pyrite is approximately 4.8 to 5.2. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Metallic luster, gold color, often cubic crystals. |
| Chemical Composition | FeS2 |
| Pleochroism | Pyrite does not exhibit pleochroism. |
| Crystal System | Isometric/Cubic |
| Optical Properties | Isotropic |
| Refractive Index | Opaque, no refractive index |
| Birefringence | None (isotropic) |
| 2V angle | Measured: 58° to 63° |
| Dispersion | Pyrite has a low dispersion index. |