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Pyrite | ||
 | Mineral name: | Pyrite |
| Formula: | FeS2 | |
| Category: | Sulfide | |
| Name Origin: | From the Greek pyr "fire", in allusion to its sparking when struck with steel | |
| Uses: | A source of sulfur for sulfuric acid and ferrous sulfate (copperas), which is used to make ink and wood preservatives | |
| Diagnostic features: | A greater hardness than gold and a paler colour than chalcopyrite | |
| Interesting facts: | Also known as fool's gold | |
| PROPERTIES | ||
| Colour: | Pale brass yellow | |
| Streak: | Greenish or brownish black | |
| Luster: | Metallic | |
| Hardness: | 6-6.5 | |
| Density: | 5.02 | |
| Form: | Cubic | |
| For more info on this mineral: | http://webmineral.com/data/Pyrite.shtml http://www.mindat.org/min-3314.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_pyrite | |
| THIS SAMPLE: | ||
| Name: | Pyrite | |
| Size: | Largest crystal about 2 cm across | |
| Came from: | New Brunswick, further specifics unknown | |
| Province: | New Brunswick | |
| Collection of: | Gordon Oakey (private collection) | |
| Photography by: | Heinz Wiele, © Atlantic Geoscience Society | |
