Mineral
Pyrite
Also Known As Fool's Gold
Sulfide Minerals
Pyrite, also called iron pyrite or fool's gold, is an iron sulfide with the formula FeS2 and is the most abundant sulfide mineral. Its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold. It has a cubic crystal structure and is widespread in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, usually found with other sulfides or oxides in quartz veins, sedimentary and metamorphic rock and coal beds, and as a replacement mineral in fossils. It is sometimes found with small quantities of real gold. The name comes from a Greek phrase for a stone that strikes fire, and pyrite was used with flint to make sparks at a Neanderthal site in Suffolk about 400,000 years ago. It is still used commercially to produce sulfur dioxide for the paper industry and to make sulfuric acid.
Facts
Formation Class Chemical Formula Hardness (Mohs) Classification
Strunz ClassSulfides and Sulfosalts 1 Crystal System UseIndustrial and Abrasive 3 Wikipedia 'Pyrite' states this use (or use-bearing statement); earth5 pass. Connections
Associated With
Norite intrusions such as Sudbury and the Bushveld Complex are classic hosts of magmatic sulfide mineralization including pyrite.
Pyrite forms in shale during early diagenesis of anoxic mud; cited via shale's own registered source since Pyrite carries only the generic mineral-wikipedia stub as its own source.
Source Shale (Wikipedia)
Pyrite named as an important accessory mineral of slate; cited via slate's own registered source since Pyrite carries only the generic mineral-wikipedia stub as its own source.
Source Slate (Wikipedia)
Caused By
Source Pyrite (Wikipedia)
Source Pyrite (Wikipedia)
Source Pyrite (Wikipedia)
Source Pyrite (Wikipedia)
Classified As
Crystallizes In System
In Discipline
Source Mineral (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Mineral (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sectionQuote, Lead section
For example, pyrite and marcasite, both iron sulfides, have the formula FeS2; however, the former is isometric while the latter is orthorhombic.
2. Pyrite (Wikipedia)
Lead section, second sentence
Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral.
Infobox: system
Cubic
Caused By: Diagenesis, Occurrence
Pyrite occurs both as a primary mineral, present in the original sediments, and as a secondary mineral, deposited during diagenesis.
Caused By: Metamorphism, Occurrence
It is found in metamorphic rocks as a product of contact metamorphism.
Caused By: Hydrothermal Mineral Deposition, Occurrence
It also forms as a high-temperature hydrothermal mineral, though it occasionally forms at lower temperatures.
Caused By: Magmatism, Occurrence
It is a common accessory mineral in igneous rocks, where it also occasionally occurs as larger masses arising from an immiscible sulfide phase in the original magma.
View the Source3. Wikidata: Pyrite
Wikidata Q50769
4. minerals.net: Pyrite
minerals.netColor field
Yellowish gray to gray. Some specimens oxidize and form a yellow-brown or iridescent film on exposed crystal face s.
Luster field
Metallic
View the Source 5. Geology.com: Pyrite
Geology.comDescriptionQuote, Description
It has a chemical composition of iron sulfide (FeS 2 ) and is the most common sulfide mineral.
Shale (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Shale, Formation sectionQuote, Associated With: Shale, Formation section
Pyrite may be formed in anoxic mud at this stage of diagenesis.
Slate (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Slate, Composition sectionQuote, Associated With: Slate, Composition section
The most important accessory minerals are iron oxides (such as hematite and magnetite), iron sulfides (such as pyrite), and carbonate minerals.
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