Pyrite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NamePyrite
Chemical FormulaFeS2
Mohs Hardness6
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorgreenish-black
Cleavagevery poor/indistinct
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity5
Colorspale brass-yellow, gold
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityRio Marina, Elba Island, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usessulfur production, iron ore (minor), collector's specimens, jewelry (rarely)
Associated Mineralsquartz, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, gold
Raritycommon
Description
This image displays a cluster of brass-yellow pyrite crystals, exhibiting distinct cubic and pyritohedral forms with a bright metallic luster.
Geological Context
Pyrite forms in a wide range of geological environments, including hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks, often associated with other sulfide minerals in ore deposits.
