cubic Sulfides
Pyrite (Crystal Cluster)
Formula FeS2
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Pyrite
#! System: Cubic (m3m)
#! Habit: Aggregate cluster of 5 cubes
cubic[m3m]:{100} ~ cluster[5]
cubic
m3m
{100}
Quick Facts
Hardness
6.5
Specific Gravity
4.95
Optical Character
Isotropic
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- cubic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6.5
- Specific Gravity
- 4.95
- Cleavage
- Poor {100}
- Fracture
- Conchoidal to uneven
- Lustre
- Metallic
Optical Properties
- Optical Character
- Isotropic
- Pleochroism
- None
Characteristics
Colours
Brass yellowPale goldTarnished (iridescent)
Localities
Spain (Navajun, La Rioja)Italy (Elba, Traversella)PeruUSA (Illinois, Colorado)
Common Inclusions
Growth striationsInclusions of gold
Crystal Forms
cubecluster
Notes
Aggregate cluster; Navajun (Spain) produces world-famous cubic pyrite clusters
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the cubic system
