Pyrite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Pyrite is more commonly known as fool’s gold and is familiar to nearly every mineral collector. It has been used for centuries both in jewelry and as an ore of iron. “Marcasite” stones in jewelry are frequently pyrite, since the latter is more stable. The material is very brittle and heat sensitive and requires some care in cutting. Cabochons are sometimes cut, but they have no special appeal.
Dimorph of Marcasite.
Streak: Greenish black.
Other Tests: Nonmagnetic; insoluble in HCl.
Occurrence: The most abundant of all sulfide minerals; occurs in nearly all rock types and most geological environments. Localities too numerous to list in detail. Fine crystals are known from the following localities:
Leadville, Colorado; French Creek. Pennsylvania;
Bingham, Utah.
Elba, Italy; Ambassaguas, Spain; England; Austria;
Germany; Switzerland; Sweden; Peru; Bolivia.
Comments: Pyrite is more commonly known as fool's gold and is familiar to nearly every mineral collector. It has been used for centuries both in jewelry and as an ore of iron. "Marcasite" stones in jewelry are frequently pyrite, since the latter is more stable. The material is very brittle and heat sensitive and requires some care in cutting. Cabochons are sometimes cut, but they have no special appeal.
Name: From the Greek word for fire, because pyrite emits sparks when struck like a flint.
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