Pyrite
“Fool's gold with real value”
Mineral
Pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral with a metallic golden luster that has deceived countless gold prospectors. Despite its nickname 'fool's gold,' pyrite is industrially important as a source of sulfur and has been used to spark fires for millennia.
Composition
iron sulfide (FeS₂)
Where Found
Spain (Río Tinto), Peru, Italy, Leadville Colorado (USA)
Mohs Hardness
6-6.5
Fun Fact
The word 'pyrite' comes from the Greek 'pyr,' meaning fire, because it produces sparks when struck against steel.
Test Your Knowledge
How can you most reliably distinguish pyrite from real gold in the field?
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