| Mineral | PYRITE |
| Chemistry | FeS 2 |
| Class | Sulfides |
| Uses | A very minor ore of sulfur for sulfuric acid, used in jewelry under the trade name marcasite and as mineral specimens. |
| Color | Pale brass-Yellow |
| Luster | Metallic |
| CrystalSystem | Isometric |
| CrystalHabits | include the cube, octahedron and pyritohedron (a dodecahedron with pentagonal faces) and crystals with combinations of these forms.Good interpenetration twins called iron crosses are rare.Found commonly in nodules.A flattened nodular variety called Pyrite Suns or Pyrite Dollars is popular in rock shops. Also massive, reniform and replaces other minerals and fossils forming pseudomorphs or copies. |
| Cleavage | Poor/Indistinct Indistinct on {001}. |
| Fracture | very indistinct. |
| Hardness | 6 - 6½ |
| SpecificGravity | 5.01 g/ccm |
| Streak | Greenish-black |
| Characteristics | Brittle, striations on cubic faces caused by crossing of pyritohedron with cube. (note - striations on cube faces also demonstrate pyrite s lower symmetry).Pyrite unlike gold is not malleable. |
| Occurences | include Illinois and Missouri, USA; Peru; Germany; Russia; Spain; and South Africa among many others. |
| Indicators | crystal habit, hardness, streak, luster and brittleness. |
| DensityNote | heavier than average for metallic minerals |
| IMAStatus | Approved |
| CellParameters | a = 5.417 |
| OpticalType | Isotropic |
| Strunz | 2/D.17-30 2 : Sulphides D : Sulphides with metal: sulphurselenium and tellurium 17 : Pyrite group and related compoundsFukuchilite - Micherenite |
| FolkLore | CHALCOPYITE: said to be related to self esteem and positive perspectives. PYRITE: Shields a person or envirnoment from many forms of negative energy. Said to inspire universal energies to help active the nourishing energies within the body. Assists in helping to see behind the "mask" or façade. Stimulates the powers of intellect, memory and recall. QUARTZ: Used to "amplify" energy of other stones and within a person's surroundings. Said to convert and redirect energy towards a positive state. |
