Pyrite

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Pyrite

Pyrite

Name/Title

Pyrite

Entry/Object ID

2014.1.131

Description

Chemical Composition: FeS2 Crystal System: Cubic or Isometric S Description: Common Name: Pyrite Chemistry: FeS2 Iron Sulfide Group: Sulfide Location: Unknown Description: This is a piece of gray rock material with a mass of Pyrite crystals on one surface and tiny crystals scattered throughout along with some Quartz. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color is brassy yellow. Luster is metallic. Transparency: Crystals are opaque. Crystal System is isometric; bar 3 2/m Crystal Habits 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. Pyrite is commonly found in nodules. A flattened nodular variety called "Pyrite Suns" or "Pyrite Dollars" is popular in rock shops. Also massive or reniform and replaces other minerals and fossils forming pseudomorphs or copies. Cleavage is very indistinct. Fracture is conchoidal. Hardness is 6 - 6.5 Specific Gravity is approximately 5.1+ (heavier than average for metallic minerals) Streak is greenish black. Other 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. Associated Minerals are quartz, calcite, gold, sphalerite, galena, fluorite and many other minerals. Pyrite is so common it may be quicker to name the unassociated minerals. Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, hardness, streak, luster and brittleness Fracture: conchoidal Hardness: 6 Orthoclase Luster: Metallic Occurrence: Pyrite is a very common mineral, and occurs in numerous localities. Rock Type: Igneous Specific Gravity: 5.1 Streak: greenish black Texture: microcrystaline Variety: Pyrite is the classic "Fool's Gold". There are other shiny brassy yellow minerals, but pyrite is by far the most common and the most often mistaken for gold. Whether it is the golden look or something else, pyrite is a favorite among rock collectors. It can have a beautiful luster and interesting crystals. It is so common in the earth's crust that it is found in almost every possible environment, hence it has a vast number of forms and varieties.

Collection

RAGM Mineral Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2014.1

Source or Donor

Crater Rock Museum (unknown donors)

Acquisition Method

Gift

Dimensions

Width

2-1/2 in

Depth

1-1/4 in

Length

3-1/2 in

Weight

0.83 oz

Dimension Notes

Dimension taken at widest points

Location

Location

Shelf

CS-D-5

Room

Curation Storage

Building

Crater Rock Museum

Date

January 24, 2024

Location

Cabinet

J-1 rear

Wall

North

Building

Storage (old gift shop upstairs)

Category

Permanent