Provenite

About Pyrite

FeS₂

The most common sulfide mineral on Earth, recognizable by its metallic, brass-yellow color and often sharp cubic or pyritohedral crystals.

Show 17 localities on the map

Photos of Pyrite

Cluster of large pyrite crystals from the iron mines of Rio Marina, Elba.
Pyrite · Rio Marina
Cluster of large pyrite crystals from the iron mines of Rio Marina, Elba.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Antique specimen of sharp pyrite crystals from the French Creek mines, Pennsylvania.
Pyrite · French Creek Mines (St. Peters)
Antique specimen of sharp pyrite crystals from the French Creek mines, Pennsylvania.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Sharp pyrite cubes on clay-rich matrix from the Ampliacion a Victoria mine, Navajun, Spain.
Pyrite · Ampliacion a Victoria Mine
Sharp pyrite cubes on clay-rich matrix from the Ampliacion a Victoria mine, Navajun, Spain.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Complex, modified pyrite crystals from the Nanisivik Mine on Baffin Island.
Pyrite · Nanisivik Mine
Complex, modified pyrite crystals from the Nanisivik Mine on Baffin Island.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Plate of octahedral pyrite crystals with complex sub-faces from the Sweetwater Mine, Missouri.
Pyrite · Sweetwater Mine
Plate of octahedral pyrite crystals with complex sub-faces from the Sweetwater Mine, Missouri.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Group of bevelled, striated pyrite cubes from the Huanzala Mine, Peru.
Pyrite · Huanzala
Group of bevelled, striated pyrite cubes from the Huanzala Mine, Peru.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Large single octahedral pyrite crystal from the Huaron mining district, Peru.
Pyrite · Huarón Mine (Huarón Mining District)
Large single octahedral pyrite crystal from the Huaron mining district, Peru.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Cluster of lustrous golden pyrite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine, Peru.
Pyrite · Quiruvilca
Cluster of lustrous golden pyrite crystals from the Quiruvilca Mine, Peru.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

Where Pyrite is found (17)

Canada

Italy

Kosovo

Peru

Romania

Russia

Spain

United States

Pyrite on the same specimen with other minerals

Same specimen Pyrite growing on Quartz at Huanzala

Huanzala specimens show sharp, lustrous octahedral pyrite crystals (to about 2 cm) on the face of a crystallized quartz matrix; other pieces show glassy quartz crystals with pyrite scattered through them.

Bright golden pyrite against glassy quartz is one of the best-known Peruvian combination pieces.

Sources: SRC-155 SRC-156

Same specimen Amethyst growing on Pyrite at Cavnic

A large Cavnic specimen carries pastel purple, lightly frosted amethyst clusters to about 5 cm on a plate covered with brass-yellow striated pyrite crystals.

Amethyst of this size is described as rare from the Cavnic mines, and the golden pyrite base adds contrast.

Sources: SRC-160 SRC-161

Same specimen Pyrite included in Quartz at Middleville (Herkimer diamond district)

Herkimer-type quartz crystals commonly contain small inclusions of minerals, including pyrite, alongside calcite, dolomite and sphalerite.

Inclusions inside the clear, doubly terminated crystals add interest and are prized in Herkimer quartz.

Sources: SRC-139

Same specimen Quartz with Pyrite at Huarón Mine (Huarón Mining District)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show pyrite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Chalcopyrite with Pyrite at Sweetwater Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show pyrite with chalcopyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Sphalerite with Pyrite at French Creek Mines (St. Peters)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show pyrite with sphalerite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Dolomite with Pyrite at Sweetwater Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show pyrite with dolomite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Dolomite at Shangbao Pyrite Mine (Leiyang)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show dolomite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Siderite at Trepca complex

2 specimen photo(s) from this locality show siderite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Siderite at Siglo Veinte Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show siderite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Enargite at Leonard Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show enargite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Enargite at Kelley Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show enargite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Enargite at Stewart Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show enargite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Enargite at Chinkuashih Mine (Jinguashi)

2 specimen photo(s) from this locality show enargite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Bornite at Butte Mining District

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show bornite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Bornite at Huarón Mine (Huarón Mining District)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show bornite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Pachapaqui Mining District

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Henderson Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Madan ore field

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Trepca complex

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Identity

Also called
fool's gold
Group
Pyrite Group
Strunz
2.EB.05a · 2 Sulfides and sulfosalts
IMA status
Grandfathered
Name origin
From Greek 'pyrites (lithos)': stone that strikes fire (pyr = fire); pyrite can produce sparks.
Elements
Fe, S

Physical properties

Color
Pale brass-yellow to golden yellow; may tarnish
Streak
Greenish black to brownish black
Luster
Metallic luster
Transparency
Opaque
Mohs hardness
6–6.5
Density
4.95–5.1 g/cm³
Cleavage / fracture
Cleavage poorly developed; fracture conchoidal to uneven; brittle
Magnetism / fluorescence
Paramagnetic; no fluorescence reported

Crystallography

Crystal system
Cubic
Space group
Pa-3
Structure
Pyrite structure: Fe atoms octahedrally coordinated by S; sulfur occurs as S-S disulfide pairs.
Typical habit
Cube, pentagonal dodecahedron (pyritohedron), octahedron; also massive, framboidal, and as concretions
Twinning
Iron Cross (penetration twin of two pyritohedra)
Optical data
Opaque; generally isotropic in reflected light with high reflectance, but weak anisotropy is rarely observed; no transmitted-light refractive index can be determined

Formation and use

Formation
Hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks (concretions, framboids), metamorphic rocks, and magmatic sulfide deposits.
Uses
Historically used for fire-starting and sulfuric acid production; accessory mineral in gold and copper ores; collector's specimen.
Stability and care
Can oxidize in moist conditions ('pyrite disease'), forming sulfates and acid; store dry and at low relative humidity.

Related minerals

Related minerals
Cattieritevaesitehauerite (pyrite group)
Polymorphs
Marcasite
Can be confused with
Goldchalcopyritemarcasite

Sources

  1. SRC-001 · Book
    Handbook of Mineralogy - PyriteAnthony, J.W.; Bideaux, R.A.; Bladh, K.W.; Nichols, M.C. · Mineralogical Society of America

Draft data from the Provenite workbook. Check entries against the cited sources before relying on them. Photos are open-licence images from Wikimedia Commons; the author and licence are given with each photo.