Pyrrhotite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Islam90" title="User:Islam90">Islam90</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NamePyrrhotite
Chemical FormulaFe₁₋ₓS
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorgrayish black
Cleavagepoor on {0001}
Fractureuneven to conchoidal
Specific Gravity4.6
Colorsbronze-yellow, copper-red, dark bronze
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalitySudbury, Ontario, Canada
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usesnickel ore, iron ore, collector
Associated Mineralspentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a microscopic view of pyrrhotite under polarized light, showing an aggregate of anhedral grains with varying shades of light grey and yellow, characteristic of its metallic appearance. Darker inclusions or pores are scattered throughout the matrix.
Geological Context
Pyrrhotite commonly forms in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks, particularly in magmatic sulfide deposits where it is a significant ore of nickel and copper. It can also be found in contact metamorphic and hydrothermal environments.
