Pyrite

Natural Faceted Gems

Pyrite is iron disulfide, a brittle metallic mineral commonly forming cubes, pyritohedra, or granular masses. Its pale brass color and strong metallic lustre explain the nickname “fool's gold,” though pyrite is harder and usually more sharply crystalline than native gold.

Identity

Material or variety: Pyrite
Scientific or material identity: Pyrite
Classification: Natural mineral or mineral variety
Aliases or trade names: Fool's gold · Iron pyrites
Composition or formula: FeS₂
Crystal system or structure: Cubic
Geological or manufacturing origin: Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
Mohs hardness: 6 to 6.5

Origins

China · Myanmar · Peru · Spain

Appearance & optical properties

metallic brass-gold pyrite.

History & discovery

Its name comes from a Greek word connected with fire because pyrite gives sparks when struck. People used it to start fires and later in wheel-lock firearms; it also supplied sulfur compounds before newer industrial sources became dominant.

Uses & care

Common uses: Pyrite is collected as crystals, used in ornamental pieces and so-called marcasite jewelry, and processed industrially as a source of sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid.
Handling and cleaning: Keep pyrite dry, ideally below 50% relative humidity in a closed container with desiccant. Moist air can oxidize it into acidic products; isolate any specimen that develops powder, cracks, or a sharp sulfurous smell.

Jewellery

5 pieces of Pyrite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.

Fool's Gold Signet
Ring
A heavy signet cut from a single polished cube of pyrite, its brassy sheen mistaken for gold by hopeful miners.
Midas Cuff
Bracelet
A wide cuff set with clusters of mirror bright pyrite crystals that flash like coins when the wrist turns.
Iberian Fire Pendant
Pendant
A rough pyrite nodule from an ancient Iberian mine is hung on a woven cord, prized for the tarnish of gold that never was.
Piedras Negras Pyrite Mirror
Jewel
A sizeable iron pyrite mirror set at an angle in the tomb of the Maya king K'inich Yo'nal Ahk II at Piedras Negras, on the Guatemalan side of the Usumacinta River, so that the dead king could in theory see himself laid out in his tomb.
Marcasite Starlight Tiara
Tiara
An imagined Victorian silver tiara paved with marcasite, small faceted pieces of pyrite that sparkle like starlight.