Pyrite

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Pyrite/Mica

Pyrite/Mica

Name/Title

Pyrite

Entry/Object ID

78.63.134

Description

Chemical Composition: FeS2 Crystal System: Cubic or Isometric S Description: Common Name: Pyrite/Mica Chemistry: FeS2 Group:Sulfides Location: Unknown Description: Pyrite with Mica (Muscovite).Striated crystal faces,fractured surfaces are visible. Colors are metallic gold and white. 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. • Notable Occurrences include Illinois and Missouri, USA; Peru; Germany; Russia; Spain; and South Africa among many others. • Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, hardness, streak, luster and brittleness. - See more at: http://www.galleries.com/Pyrite#sthash.Cl0vp8Aq.dpuf Fracture: Conchoidal Hardness: 6 Orthoclase Luster: Metallic Rock Type: Metamorphic Specific Gravity: 5.1+ Streak: Greenish black

Collection

Delmar Smith Mineral Collection

Acquisition

Accession

78.63

Source or Donor

Delmar Smith Crystal Collection

Acquisition Method

Donation

Dimensions

Width

2-3/4 in

Depth

4-1/8 in

Length

2-1/2 in

Weight

0.46 oz

Dimension Notes

Dimension taken at widest points

Location

Location

Cabinet

K-1 rear

Wall

North

Building

Storage (old gift shop upstairs)

Category

Permanent