Gem Profile- Pyrite
Pyrite, also known as iron pyrite, has been used by humans for many centuries. Early man discovered that when struck, the stone emits sparks, thus its name comes from the Greek language, basically meaning "fire." Archaeologists have found that burial mounds in South America often contain chunks of pyrite, perhaps so one would have fire in the next world.
Aztec ceremonial masks have been found with eye sockets filled with pyrite and with large, flat pieces of polished pyrite set into them.
These polished pieces were likely used as early mirrors by Aztec and Incan cultures.
Many early peoples around the world, including American Indians, also made use of pyrite.
A sphere made of pyrite from Peru. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
These polished pieces were likely used as early mirrors by Aztec and Incan cultures.
Many early peoples around the world, including American Indians, also made use of pyrite.
A sphere made of pyrite from Peru. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Pyrite is the stable polymorph of marcasite and occurs in all geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary formations.
As one of the most common metallic minerals, it is a brittle iron sulfide with a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5 and a brassy gold color.
Its usual crystal form is a perfect six-sided cube marked with fine parallel striations, and each face displays a different direction of lines.
Pyrite can also form as a twelve-sided crystal known as a pyritohedron.
Pyrite cube crystal from New Hampshire and massive pyrite crystals from Peru.
As one of the most common metallic minerals, it is a brittle iron sulfide with a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5 and a brassy gold color.
Its usual crystal form is a perfect six-sided cube marked with fine parallel striations, and each face displays a different direction of lines.
Pyrite can also form as a twelve-sided crystal known as a pyritohedron.
Pyrite cube crystal from New Hampshire and massive pyrite crystals from Peru.
Although pyrite is often mistaken for gold by inexperienced prospectors and is nicknamed fool's gold, real gold can sometimes occur inside pyrite.
Gold stringers may also run alongside pyrite in quartz veins, which gives certain specimens genuine value.
In industry, pyrite is primarily used for its sulfur content.
Because sulfur is so abundant in the mineral, the ore is seldom used to extract iron, despite its name.
During World War II, sulfur was in high demand for making sulfuric acid, and the pyrite deposits in Ducktown, Tennessee, played an important role for the United States government.
Pyrite Cabochon Pendant wire wrapped by Beverly Brown
Gold stringers may also run alongside pyrite in quartz veins, which gives certain specimens genuine value.
In industry, pyrite is primarily used for its sulfur content.
Because sulfur is so abundant in the mineral, the ore is seldom used to extract iron, despite its name.
During World War II, sulfur was in high demand for making sulfuric acid, and the pyrite deposits in Ducktown, Tennessee, played an important role for the United States government.
Pyrite Cabochon Pendant wire wrapped by Beverly Brown
I live just "down the road a piece" from the pyrite deposits in Ducktown, so I had to hunt for some specimens to share with you!
Pyrite is highly valued by geologists because it can replace almost any material while preserving the original form.
In parts of France and Russia, pyrite has filled the cavities left by decayed ammonite fossils, creating specimens known as pseudomorphs.
The chambers of these fossils are often lined with tiny, perfect pyrite crystals, and when the tops are polished to a mirror finish, they become striking jewelry components.
Pyritized fossils of various types, including brachiopods, are also found in New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Germany.
Pictured:
From Russia, one ammonite chamber that has been replaced with pyrite. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
and
One of the winning bead designs from The Fairy Bead Festival in Kiev, Ukraine, made using two pyritized ammonite slices.
In parts of France and Russia, pyrite has filled the cavities left by decayed ammonite fossils, creating specimens known as pseudomorphs.
The chambers of these fossils are often lined with tiny, perfect pyrite crystals, and when the tops are polished to a mirror finish, they become striking jewelry components.
Pyritized fossils of various types, including brachiopods, are also found in New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Germany.
Pictured:
From Russia, one ammonite chamber that has been replaced with pyrite. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
and
One of the winning bead designs from The Fairy Bead Festival in Kiev, Ukraine, made using two pyritized ammonite slices.
Pyrite is very common and found worldwide, but because it is heavy and prone to tarnishing, it is not especially popular in jewelry design.
Some of the best display specimens come from Peru and Brazil, yet one of the most remarkable forms is found in Illinois.
There, flattened radial discs occur between layers of 320-million-year-old shale, and they may be either a type of fossil or a compressed pyritohedron.
Their shape has earned them the name pyrite sun or pyrite dollar.
I enjoy using these unusual pieces to create distinctive wire jewelry.
Pyrite sun or dollar specimens from Randolph County, Illinois. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Some of the best display specimens come from Peru and Brazil, yet one of the most remarkable forms is found in Illinois.
There, flattened radial discs occur between layers of 320-million-year-old shale, and they may be either a type of fossil or a compressed pyritohedron.
Their shape has earned them the name pyrite sun or pyrite dollar.
I enjoy using these unusual pieces to create distinctive wire jewelry.
Pyrite sun or dollar specimens from Randolph County, Illinois. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Pyrite occurs in many rock types and formations, and because it is so abundant, there are no real counterfeits to worry about.
However, you may want to distinguish between pyrite and marcasite.
Marcasite is also a metallic iron sulfide, but it is lighter in color and does not tarnish to a brassy gold, making it easy to tell apart from pyrite.
Small faceted marcasite stones have been used in silver jewelry for centuries to enhance their shine.
This pendant by Cindy Albers contains either a pyrite or marcasite piece.
However, you may want to distinguish between pyrite and marcasite.
Marcasite is also a metallic iron sulfide, but it is lighter in color and does not tarnish to a brassy gold, making it easy to tell apart from pyrite.
Small faceted marcasite stones have been used in silver jewelry for centuries to enhance their shine.
This pendant by Cindy Albers contains either a pyrite or marcasite piece.
A marcasite cabochon is on the left and pyrite is on the right. Notice the definite color and crystal shape differences between the two. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Modern metaphysical healers use pyrite to help balance the "right" and "left" brain, transforming energies between the two.
Metallic minerals are also thought to help bring financial help and fortune to a household.
Pyrite Pendant wire wrapped by Jackie Morris
Metallic minerals are also thought to help bring financial help and fortune to a household.
Pyrite Pendant wire wrapped by Jackie Morris
Resources
Print Resources:
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Peterson Field Guide - Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN 0-395-91096-X
Love Is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
The Book of Stones & Metals by Maya Heath, ISBN 0-9651554-2-0
Internet Resources:
Masks on www.Britannica.com
Pyrite on www.Britannica.com
www.merriam-webster.com
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
Gem and Lapidary Materials by June Culp Zeitner, ISBN 0-945005-24-5
Peterson Field Guide - Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN 0-395-91096-X
Love Is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
The Book of Stones & Metals by Maya Heath, ISBN 0-9651554-2-0
Internet Resources:
Masks on www.Britannica.com
Pyrite on www.Britannica.com
www.merriam-webster.com
www.wikipedia.org
Materials
Wire
Pyrite Beads
Cabochons
Pyrite 10mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-373
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Pyrite 6mm Faceted Rondelle Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-623
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- Price: $9.94
- Gold Club Price: $7.46
Pyrite 8x10mm Nugget Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-382
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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Pyrite Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1
K4-80
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- Price: $2.60
- Gold Club Price: $1.95
WireJewelry Petrified Wood Rough - Large Natural Gemstones in 1.5 LB Bag
E6-108R
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Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
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- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Dale Armstrong
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