Pyrite
Image: “Jon Zander (Digon3)” (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NamePyrite
Chemical FormulaFeS₂
Mohs Hardness6
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorgreenish-black
Cleavagevery poor/indistinct
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity5
Colorspale brass-yellow, gold-like
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityWidespread globally (e.g., Spain, Peru, USA)
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usessulfur production, collector, historical ignition source
Associated Mineralsquartz, chalcopyrite, galena, gold
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a cluster of brass-yellow, metallic pyrite crystals embedded within a light-colored, possibly quartz-rich, rock matrix. The crystals show a blocky, somewhat irregular habit.
Geological Context
Pyrite forms in a wide range of geological environments, including hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks, often under oxygen-poor conditions. It is a common accessory mineral in many ore deposits.
