Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
pyrite

Chemical Group:    sulfide

Chemical Formula:    FeS₂

Color: brassy yellow , iridescent when tarnished         Luster:  metallic

Streak:  greenish black or brownish black

Hardness:  6 to 6.5        Specific Gravity:  5.01           Fracture: conchoidal
 

Crystal Forms:  Cubic system
       cubes with striations on the cube surfaces, octahedrons (when arsenic is present),
       pyritohedrons (12 sides with each face a pentagon)

Mineral Associations:  chalcopyrite

Identifying Characteristics:  characteristic crystal shapes: striated cubes
           and pyritohedrons

Uses:

Occurrences:  many different environments: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- low        when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: