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Fool's Gold:
Sulfides, Arsenides, Tellurides (Iron disulfide, often with substantial amounts of nickel and cobalt) FeS2 AKA: Pyrite |
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System: Isometric; predominantly in cubes and pyritohedrons with parallel striations on faces, less commonly in octahedrons; also in nodules and massive forms; fine to coarse granular, fibrous, mammillary, stalactitic. Appearance: Pale yellow to brass-yellow, often tarnished with brown film of iron oxide; sometimes iridescent; metallic; streak greenish black. Physical Properties: Hardness: (6.0 - 6.5); Specific gravity: (4.9 - 5.2). Cleavage: none; fracture uneven; brittle. Similar species: Chalcopyrite and other similar iron sulfides are softer; chalcopyrite is more yellow. Occurrence: The most widespread and abundant of the sulfide minerals, pyrite occurs in rocks of many types and in all types of hydrothermal veins. Excellent collecting localities are numerous throughout North America. Among the most prominent are Utah, Colorado, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Miscellaneous: Pyrite (from the Greek pyr, "fire")is the well-known "fool's gold," so called because it is easily mistaken for native gold. In fact, pyrite really can be associated with gold, and thus can be an important gold ore. Pyrite has had commercial importance as a source of sulfur, used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid; iron may also be produced as a by-product. Conventional Wisdom: One of the most grounding stones in use today. Used for focus, practicality, logic, memory, clearing fuzzy thinking like hematite. Used for the stomach and intestines; sulfur and mineral assimilation, the circulation, body acidity imbalances and depression. Great for grounding spaciness after meditation or psychic readings. Represents Sun's golden energy. Belongs to the Astrological Sign of Leo. |