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16.57: Pyrite

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    Pyrite
    Chemical composition FeS2
    Crystal system Cubic
    Habit Cubic, faces may be striated, but also frequently octahedral and pyritohedron. Often inter-grown, massive, radiated, granular, globular and stalactitic.
    Cleavage Indistinct on {001}; partings on {011} and {111}
    Fracture Very uneven, sometimes conchoidal
    Hardness 6–6.5
    Refractive index a = 1.730; b = 1.758; y = 1.838
    Specific gravity 4.8-4.9
    Lustre Metallic

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Victorian Pyrite-set Lizard Pins
    Photo courtesy of Barbra Voltaire

    Marcasite is a misnomer, referring to the mineral pyrite when it is faceted into small reflective stones and used in jewelry. Marcasite and pyrite are both iron disulfides but they are different minerals because they crystallize in different systems and form under different geologic conditions. Marcasite isn't suitable for use in jewelry because it is unstable and can decompose in the air, appearing to acquire a chalky coating. Pyrite is named after the Greek word for fire as it produces sparks when struck by iron.

    File:Pyrite xls.jpg

    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Pyrite Crystals, Spain
    Photo courtesy of Barbra Voltaire

    Pyrite crystallizes in the cubic system and can form perfect cubes with shiny metallic gold faces.
    Native Americans believed that pyrite "mirrors" allowed you to see inside the soul.


    16.57: Pyrite is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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