cubic Sulfides
Pyrite (Cube)
Formula FeS2
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Pyrite
#! System: Cubic (m3m)
#! Habit: Cubic with parallel striations
cubic[m3m]:{100}[striation:parallel]
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
cube
Notes
Called fool's gold due to superficial resemblance to gold; much lighter (SG 5 vs 19.3) and harder than gold
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the cubic system
