Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

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                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

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                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
pyrrhotite

Chemical Group:    sulfide

Chemical Formula:  Fe₅S₆ to Fe₁₆S₁₇     

Color:  between bronze gray and copper-red            

Streak:  dark grayish black          Luster:  metallic 

Transparency:  opaque 

Hardness:  3.5 to 4.5             Specific Gravity:  4.58 to 4.64                

Fracture:   uneven to subconchoidal     Tenacity:  brittle
 

Crystal Forms and Habits: Hexagonal system
     Usually massive and granular

Mineral Associations:  pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite

Identifying Characteristics:  variable magnetic

Uses: 

Occurrences:  Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; also Brazil and Tennesee 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-          when inhaled-

Additional Information:  Pyrrhotite is sometimes referred to as magnetic pyrite.