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Pyrite is commonly called Fools Gold because of its similarity in color, shape, and habit to Gold. In the old mining days, Pyrite was often confused with Gold as they occur together, although Gold and Pyrite can very easily be distinguished by simple observation and testing of characteristics.
Pyrite occurs in all different shapes and forms. The smaller crystal aggregates may give off a beautiful glistening effect in light, and the larger crystals may be perfectly formed, including fascinating perfect cube and penetration twins and other bizarre crystal forms. The perfect cubes of Pyrite embedded in a matrix from the famous Spanish mines are especially treasured among collectors. Many of these specimens have fallen out of the matrix and have been repaired by having them glued back into the matrix.
Pyrite has the same chemical formula as the rarer mineral Marcasite, but it crystallizes in a different crystal system, thereby scientifically classifying it as a separate mineral species. Aggregates of iron sulfide (FeS2) where the crystal structure cannot be determined without complex analyzing material may be wrongly labeled by dealers. Some Pyrite specimens are labeled as Marcasite, and some Marcasite specimens as Pyrite.
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Chemical Formula |
FeS2 |
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Composition |
Iron sulfide, sometimes containing small amounts of cobalt, nickel, silver, and gold |
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Color |
Yellowish gray to gray. Some specimens oxidize and form a yellow-brown film on the crystal faces. |
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Streak |
Black with a slightly green tinge |
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Hardness |
6 - 6.5 |
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Crystal System |
Isometric |
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Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Pyrite can form very well crystallized specimens, which occur as cubes, pyritohedrons, and octahedrons. Combinations of these forms also occur. Crystals are usually striated. Pyrite crystals frequently form penetration twinning, especially in the cubic form. Cubes are often elongated. Pyrite also occurs massive, radiating, grainy, flaky, mammilary, encrusting, nodular, fibrous, and as groups of small crystals. |
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Transparency |
Opaque |
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Specific Gravity |
4.9 - 5.2 |
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Luster |
Metallic |
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Cleavage |
None |
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Fracture |
Conchoidal |
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Tenacity |
Brittle |
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Other ID Marks |
Some specimens develop a yellow-brown film on crystal faces. |
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In Group |
Sulfides; Simple Sulfides |
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Striking Features |
Hardness, color, well shaped crystals, heaviness, and streak |
| Environment |
Pyrite forms in almost all types of environments, including sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic environments and hydrothermal veins. |
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Popularity (1-4)
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1 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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1 |
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Demand (1-3) |
2 |
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- Pyrite with etched, gothiclike markings
- Large, undistorted, cubic shaped Pyrite.
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Pyrite was once used as an important source of sulfur, but is now only a minor ore for both sulfur and iron. Pyrite from some localities is auriferous, and therefore is used as an ore of gold in gold-bearing localities.
Pyrite was polished by the Native Americans in the early times and used as mirrors. Today, it is used as an ornamental stone, as well as a very popular stone for the amateur collector. It is sometimes used as gemstone by being faceted and polished for use as an inexpensive side gemstone in some rings, necklaces, and bracelets. For additional information, see the gemstone section on Pyrite.
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Pyrite is an extremely common mineral, and occurs in numerous localities throughout the world. Only the best are mentioned here. Enormous amounts of small Pyrite crystal clusters come from the Huaron Mining District in Peru. Other outstanding Peruvian localities are the Quiruvilca Mine, La Libertad; and the Huanzala, Huánuco. Most of the amateur collector Pyrite comes from the Peruvian locations in abundance, though fine outstanding crystals have also come from there as well. In Navajun (Logroño), La Rioja, Spain, large perfect cubic crystals, are abundant. They are frequently embedded in a light brown matrix, and are occasionally twinned. Excellent pyritohedral crystals occur in Rio Marina on the island of Elba, Italy, which is a classic locality. A locality which has recently brought interestingly shaped, complex Pyrite crystals to the market is the Merelani Hills, Arusha, Tanzania
In the U.S., fine localities abound. In Park City, Bingham Co., Utah, very large, well shaped pyritohedrons and cubes have once been found. The Bingham Canyon Mine, Salt Lake Co., Utah is also a classic occurrence, where few of the excellent Pyrites from the mine are saved from the mining crusher. Large, intergrown cubes, many times partially octahedral, occurred in abundance at Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado. Pyrite dollars are found in Sparta, Randolph Co., Illinois, with some very large in size. The French Creek Mine in Chester Co., Pennsylvania is famous for the octahedral crystals that occur there, although most are distorted.
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Chalcopyrite - softer (3½ - 4), more intense yellow
Cobaltite - lacks the yellow color of Pyrite, softer (3½)
Marcasite - crystallizes in different crystal system (orthorhombic)
Pyrrhotite - softer (3½ - 4½), darker color, different crystal form
Small, gold colored, massive or flaky Pyrite may be confused with Gold, but is easily distinguished by Pyrite's black streak and Gold's yellow streak (and by Gold's low hardness and lack of brittleness.
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