Diagnostic Features
Hardness : 6.5
Streak : Green-Black
Luster : Metallic
Specific Gravity : 5.1
Cleavage : None
Fracture : Uneven and rough
Other : Brassy yellow metallic appearance
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Identification Tips
1. Don't confuse crystal faces for cleavage surfaces in pyrite. Pyrite has no cleavage. A freshly chipped corner of the specimen will reveal this (see upper right part of the picture above).
2. Pyrite is very dense and will feel weighty when you pick it up.
3. The brassy yellow metallic luster of pyrite is ubiquitous.
Pyrite
(Cubic Crystals)
Guangxi
China
Photographed by Michael Amadeus Klimetz
Cubic Crystals in Limestone
Syracuse
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
[Octahedral Crystal]
TURKEY
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael A. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Massive and Crystalline]
PERU
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Massive and Crystalline]
PERU
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cubic Crystal]
Chester
VERMONT
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Sterling Hill Mine
Ogdensburg
Sussex County
NEW JERSEY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Single Crystal with Sphalerite]
Nanisivik Mine
Northwest Territories
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Single Cubic Crystal in Phyllitic Slate]
I-89
Montpellier
VERMONT
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Single Striated Crystal]
Spruce Ridge Claim
North Bend
King County
WASHINGTON
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Fracture Surface]
Spruce Ridge Claim
North Bend
King County
WASHINGTON
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Crystal Termination]
Spruce Ridge Claim
North Bend
King County
WASHINGTON
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cubic Crystals in Matrix]
Victoria Mine
Navajun
La Rioja
SPAIN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cubic Crystals in Matrix]
Victoria Mine
Navajun
La Rioja
SPAIN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Cubic Crystals in Matrix]
Victoria Mine
Navajun
La Rioja
SPAIN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Pyritohedral Crystals in Dolostone]
Daye Mine
Hubei Province
CHINA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Massive and Crystalline]
Sunbeam Mine
Tintic District
Juab County
UTAH
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Massive and Crystalline with Quartz]
Sunbeam Mine
Tintic District
Juab County
UTAH
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Nodule in Dolomitic Limestone]
Schoharie County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Nodule in Dolomitic Limestone]
Schoharie County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Reverse Striated Crystal]
Chihuahua
MEXICO
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[After Marcasite]
Nanisivik Mine
Baffin Island
Northwest Territory
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[After Marcasite]
Nanisivik Mine
Baffin Island
Northwest Territory
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[After Marcasite]
Nanisivik Mine
Baffin Island
Northwest Territory
CANADA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Crystals in Massive Magnetite]
Sulphur Hill Mine
Andover Township
Sussex County
NEW JERSEY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Single Compound Crystal]
Rio Marina
Elba Island
ITALY
