Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography
Pyrite Group.
The isometric (cubic) polymorph of orthorhombicmarcasite. However,some pyrites may be trigonal (pseudo-cubic; Moëlo, 2023).
CompareUM1997-43-S:Fe.
Pyrite is a very common mineral and is one of the most common natural sulfides (the most commondisulfide), found in a wide variety of geological environments from sedimentary deposits to hydrothermal veins and as a constituent of metamorphic rocks. The brassy-yellow metallic colour of pyrite has in many cases lead to people mistaking it forGold, hence the common nickname 'fool's gold'. Pyrite is quite easy to distinguish from gold: pyrite is much lighter and harder than gold and cannot be scratched with a fingernail or pocket knife.
At low temperatures, pyrite often forms as so-calledframboids.
Pyrite is commonly found to contain minor nickel and forms a series withVaesite, NiS2.Bravoite is a Ni-bearing variety of pyrite.
It usually contains minor cobalt, too, and forms a series withCattierite, CoS2. Many pyrites contain minor As, seeArsenic-bearing Pyrite.
"Pb-bearing" pyrite has been described by Cabral et al. (2011) and Pačevski et al. (2012). It can also contain traces of other metals, including gold. Most of the foreign metal contents in pyrite can be traced back to metal nanoparticles (Deditius et al., 2011; Pačevski et al., 2012).
Pyrite will slowly oxidize in a humid environment and release sulfuric acid that is formed during the process. Well-crystallized specimens are generally relatively stable, while pyrite formed as sedimentary concretions has a tendency to decompose quickly (seePyrite Decay).
According to Schmøkel et al. (2014), effective charges on sulfur and iron are ca. -1/3 and ca. +2/3, respectively. This is in opposition to the formal -1 and +2 charges as would be suggested by purely ionic bonding.
Visit gemdat.org forgemological information about Pyrite.
The isometric (cubic) polymorph of orthorhombicmarcasite. However,some pyrites may be trigonal (pseudo-cubic; Moëlo, 2023).
CompareUM1997-43-S:Fe.
Pyrite is a very common mineral and is one of the most common natural sulfides (the most commondisulfide), found in a wide variety of geological environments from sedimentary deposits to hydrothermal veins and as a constituent of metamorphic rocks. The brassy-yellow metallic colour of pyrite has in many cases lead to people mistaking it forGold, hence the common nickname 'fool's gold'. Pyrite is quite easy to distinguish from gold: pyrite is much lighter and harder than gold and cannot be scratched with a fingernail or pocket knife.
At low temperatures, pyrite often forms as so-calledframboids.
Pyrite is commonly found to contain minor nickel and forms a series withVaesite, NiS2.Bravoite is a Ni-bearing variety of pyrite.
It usually contains minor cobalt, too, and forms a series withCattierite, CoS2. Many pyrites contain minor As, seeArsenic-bearing Pyrite.
"Pb-bearing" pyrite has been described by Cabral et al. (2011) and Pačevski et al. (2012). It can also contain traces of other metals, including gold. Most of the foreign metal contents in pyrite can be traced back to metal nanoparticles (Deditius et al., 2011; Pačevski et al., 2012).
Pyrite cubes in limestone, Navajún, Spain
Pyrite dodecahedron, also known as "pyritohedron", Elba, Italy
Pyrite octahedra, Huánuco, Peru
Pyrite "Iron Cross" twin, Lemgo, Germany
Pyrite cubes in limestone, Navajún, Spain
Pyrite dodecahedron, also known as "pyritohedron", Elba, Italy
Pyrite octahedra, Huánuco, Peru
Pyrite "Iron Cross" twin, Lemgo, Germany
Pyrite cubes in limestone, Navajún, Spain
Pyrite dodecahedron, also known as "pyritohedron", Elba, Italy
Pyrite octahedra, Huánuco, Peru
Pyrite "Iron Cross" twin, Lemgo, Germany
Pyrite dollar, Sparta, Illinois
Pyritized ammonite, Aveyron, France
Pyrite concretion, Pilbara, Australia
Elongated pyrite crystals, Lucca, Italy
Pyrite dollar, Sparta, Illinois
Pyritized ammonite, Aveyron, France
Pyrite concretion, Pilbara, Australia
Elongated pyrite crystals, Lucca, Italy
Pyrite dollar, Sparta, Illinois
Pyritized ammonite, Aveyron, France
Pyrite concretion, Pilbara, Australia
Elongated pyrite crystals, Lucca, Italy
Decomposed pyrite concretion
Decomposed pyrite concretion
Decomposed pyrite concretion
Pyrite will slowly oxidize in a humid environment and release sulfuric acid that is formed during the process. Well-crystallized specimens are generally relatively stable, while pyrite formed as sedimentary concretions has a tendency to decompose quickly (seePyrite Decay).
According to Schmøkel et al. (2014), effective charges on sulfur and iron are ca. -1/3 and ca. +2/3, respectively. This is in opposition to the formal -1 and +2 charges as would be suggested by purely ionic bonding.
Visit gemdat.org forgemological information about Pyrite.
