Pyrite (Iron Pyrite) "Fools Gold"

Pyrite

PyritePyrite 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.

Unlike gold, which is prized because of its color, brightness, workability, and rareness, Pyrite is not a metal, but rather, a sulfide made up of iron and sulfur. Pyrite is much harder and more brittle, and it tarnishes to a dark brown. Fool's Gold is very common, and this has led to many people thinking they had discovered real gold over the years. Pyrite forms when hydrogen sulfide combines with iron. These common elements often fuse and are carried by heated fluids to cracks in native rocks where pyrite is deposited. It is attractive, and many museums keep specimens of Pyrite for display or educational purposes.

Bravoite is the name given to a nickel-rich iron sulfide. It is closely related to pyrite but contains up to 20% nickel. Some mineral books treat it as a variety of pyrite. Pyrite is a polymorph of Marcasite, which means that it has the same chemistry, FeS2, as Marcasite; but a different structure and therefore different symmetry and crystal shapes. Pyrite is difficult to distinguish from Marcasite when a lack of clear indicators exists.

Common Shapes of Pyrite

Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois. Pure Pyrite crystallization with no matrix featuring radiating golden crystals that sparkle in the light. These are also known as Pyrite Dollars and Sun Dollars. Collected in a coal mine hundreds of feet below the earth's surface, this sun formed over 300 million years ago! Fanned crystal structure is due to compressed growth between sheets of slate.

Go to Pyrite Sun Page

Calcite Bulgaria (7)
Calcite Bulgaria (8)
Calcite Pyrite (2)
Calcite Pyrite (1)
Calcite Pyrite (5)
Calcite Pyrite (4)
Calcite Pyrite (6)
Calcite Pyrite (7)
Calcite Bulgaria (7) Calcite Bulgaria (8) Calcite Pyrite (2) Calcite Pyrite (1) Calcite Pyrite (5) Calcite Pyrite (4) Calcite Pyrite (6) Calcite Pyrite (7)
Item # 3PYR11215667

Calcite with Sphalerite inclusions and Pyrite from Bulgaria

$169.00

Sold

This captivating specimen is from the Deveti Septemvri Mine, Madan ore field, Rhodope Mts, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria

Very rare specimen of pyrite on a Unique Calcite formation that has inclusions of Sphalerite. This for sure is a "One of a Kind" specimen from the mountains in Bulgaria. Striations of Sphalerite can be seen in the Calcite crystal blades.

This piece weighs 4.54 oz or 0.28 lb (129g) and measures 3.6 x 2.1 x 1 inches (9.2 x 5.3 x 2.6 cm).

Striated Pyrite 2 (4)
Striated Pyrite 2 (1)
Striated Pyrite 2 (2)
Striated Pyrite 2 (3)
Striated Pyrite 2 (5)
Striated Pyrite 2 (4) Striated Pyrite 2 (1) Striated Pyrite 2 (2) Striated Pyrite 2 (3) Striated Pyrite 2 (5)
Item # 2PYR11212972

Striated Pyrite with Black Sphalerite from Peru

$67.00

Sold

Here's beautiful rare specimen of Striated Pyrite Cubes with asthetic formations of accenting Black Sphalerite. This stunning showpiece is from the Huanzala Mine, Haullanca, Bologesi, Ancash, Peru

This specimen weighs 2.4 oz or 0.15 lbs (70g) and measures 1.9 x 1.24 x 0.96 inches (4.8 x 3.2 x 2.4 cm)

Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (3)
Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (4)
Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (5)
Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (1)
Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (2)
Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (6)
Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (3) Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (4) Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (5) Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (1) Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (2) Pyrite Sphalerite & Quartz 1 (6)
Item #3PYR11210613

Octahedral Pyrite Cluster with Black Sphalerite and White Quartz from Peru

$65.00

Sold

Here's beautiful rare specimen of Octahedral Pyrite Crystals with a face covering of accenting Black Sphalerite and intermixed white Quartz. This stunning showpiece is from the Huanzala Mine, Haullanca, Bologesi, Ancash, Peru

This specimen weighs 1.86 oz or 0.11 lbs (53g) and measures 1.4 x 1.3 x 0.89 inches (3.6 x 3.4 x 2.3 cm)