Pyrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Frank Ruehlicke
About Pyrite
Formula:
FeS2
As a Commodity:
Colour:
Pale brass-yellow
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
6 - 6½
Specific Gravity:
4.8 - 5
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
Named in antiquity from the Greek "pyr" for "fire", because sparks flew from it when struck with another mineral or metal. Known to Dioscorides (~50 CE) under the name "περι υληζ ιατρικηζ" which included both pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Pyrite Group.
The isometric (cubic) polymorph of orthorhombic marcasite. However, some pyrites may be trigonal (pseudo-cubic; Moëlo, 2023).
Compare UM1997-43-S:Fe.
Pyrite is a very common mineral (also one of the most common natural sulfides, and the most common disulfide), found in a wide variety of geological formations from sedimentary deposits to hydrothermal veins and as a constituent of metamorphic rocks. The brassy-yellow metallic colour of pyrite has in many cases lead to people mistaking it for Gold, hence the common nickname 'Fool's gold'. Pyrite is quite easy to distinguish from gold: pyrite is much lighter, but harder than gold and cannot be scratched with a fingernail or pocket knife.
Pyrite is commonly found to contain minor nickel, and forms a series with Vaesite, NiS2; Bravoite is a Ni-bearing variety of pyrite.
It usually contains minor cobalt too and forms a series with Cattierite, CoS2. Many pyrites contain minor As, see Arsenic-bearing Pyrite. Pb-bearing pyrite has been described by Cabral et al. (2011). It can also contain traces of other metals, including gold. Most of the foreign metal contents in pyrite can be traced back to metal nanoparticles (Deditius et al., 2011).
Pyrite will slowly oxidize, with the help of various bacteria, in a moist environment, and release sulfuric acid that is formed during the process. Well-crystallized specimens are generally relatively stable, while pyrite formed as sedimentary concretions has a tendency to decompose quickly.
According to Schmøkel et al. (2014), effective charges on sulfur and iron are ca. -1/3 and ca. +2/3, respectively. This is in opposition to the formal -1 and +2 charges as would be suggested by purely ionic bonding.
The isometric (cubic) polymorph of orthorhombic marcasite. However, some pyrites may be trigonal (pseudo-cubic; Moëlo, 2023).
Compare UM1997-43-S:Fe.
Pyrite is a very common mineral (also one of the most common natural sulfides, and the most common disulfide), found in a wide variety of geological formations from sedimentary deposits to hydrothermal veins and as a constituent of metamorphic rocks. The brassy-yellow metallic colour of pyrite has in many cases lead to people mistaking it for Gold, hence the common nickname 'Fool's gold'. Pyrite is quite easy to distinguish from gold: pyrite is much lighter, but harder than gold and cannot be scratched with a fingernail or pocket knife.
Pyrite is commonly found to contain minor nickel, and forms a series with Vaesite, NiS2; Bravoite is a Ni-bearing variety of pyrite.
It usually contains minor cobalt too and forms a series with Cattierite, CoS2. Many pyrites contain minor As, see Arsenic-bearing Pyrite. Pb-bearing pyrite has been described by Cabral et al. (2011). It can also contain traces of other metals, including gold. Most of the foreign metal contents in pyrite can be traced back to metal nanoparticles (Deditius et al., 2011).
Pyrite will slowly oxidize, with the help of various bacteria, in a moist environment, and release sulfuric acid that is formed during the process. Well-crystallized specimens are generally relatively stable, while pyrite formed as sedimentary concretions has a tendency to decompose quickly.
According to Schmøkel et al. (2014), effective charges on sulfur and iron are ca. -1/3 and ca. +2/3, respectively. This is in opposition to the formal -1 and +2 charges as would be suggested by purely ionic bonding.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Pyrite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3314
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3314:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
949ade6b-bc43-44c1-8073-49cb574bf3ef
IMA Classification of Pyrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Pyrite
2.EB.05a
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
Dana 7th ed.:
2.12.1.1
2.12.1.1
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.9.3
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
9 : Sulphides etc. of Fe
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
9 : Sulphides etc. of Fe
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Py | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Py | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Py | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Py | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Py | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Py | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Pronunciation of Pyrite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Pyrite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Pale brass-yellow
Streak:
Greenish-black
Hardness:
6 - 6½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=1505 - 1520 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Indistinct on {001}.
Indistinct on {001}.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
4.8 - 5 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.01 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pyrite
Type:
Isotropic
Anisotropism:
Rarely anisotropic, due to polishing effects.
Reflectivity:
Wavelength | R |
---|---|
400nm | 38.2% |
440nm | 42.8% |
480nm | 48.5% |
520nm | 52.6% |
560nm | 54.6% |
600nm | 55.2% |
640nm | 56.0% |
680nm | 56.8% |
700nm | 57.0% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 57.0%.
Colour in reflected light:
Creamy white
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Pyrite
Mindat Formula:
FeS2
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ni,Co,As,Cu,Zn,Ag,Au,Tl,Se,V
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Mesoarchean to Quaternary : 2858 Ma to 0 Ma - based on 17 recorded ages.
Crystallography of Pyrite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pa3
Setting:
Pa3
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.417 Å
Unit Cell V:
158.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Typically cubic or pyritohedral (pentagonal dodecahedral), sometimes octahedral and combinations are common, resulting in striated faces. Less frequently octahedral, most commonly massive, granular, and sometimes radiating, reniform, discoidal or globular.
Twinning:
On [110], interpenetrating ('Iron Cross Law'). Twin axis [001] and twin plane {011}, penetration and contact twins. Twinning on (111) was described by Nicol (1904), Goldschmidt and Nicol (1904) and Gaubert (1928), all of whom considered it rare.
Crystallographic forms of Pyrite
Crystal Atlas:
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000006 | Pyrite | Ramsdell L S (1925) The crystal structures of some metallic sulfides American Mineralogist 10 281-304 | 1925 | natural, unknown | 0 | 293 | |
0000605 | Pyrite | Bayliss P (1977) Crystal structure refinement of a weakly anisotropic pyrite cubic model American Mineralogist 62 1168-1172 | 1977 | 0 | 293 | ||
0000606 | Pyrite | Bayliss P (1977) Crystal structure refinement of a weakly anisotropic pyrite American Mineralogist 62 1168-1172 | 1977 | 0 | 293 | ||
0007752 | Pyrite | Schmid-Beurmann P, Lottermoser W (1993) 57Fe-Moessbauer spectra, electronic and crystal structure of members of the CuS2-FeS2 solid solution series Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 571-577 | 1993 | 0 | 293 | ||
0007753 | Pyrite | Schmid-Beurmann P, Lottermoser W (1993) 57Fe-Moessbauer spectra, electronic and crystal structure of members of the CuS2-FeS2 solid solution series Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 19 571-577 | 1993 | 0 | 293 | ||
0012728 | Pyrite | Rieder M, Crelling J C, Sustai O, Drabek M, Weiss Z, Klementova M (2007) Arsenic in iron disulfides in a brown coal from the North Bohemian Basin, Czech Republic International Journal of Coal Geology 71 115-121 | 2007 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0012729 | Pyrite | Rieder M, Crelling J C, Sustai O, Drabek M, Weiss Z, Klementova M (2007) Arsenic in iron disulfides in a brown coal from the North Bohemian Basin, Czech Republic International Journal of Coal Geology 71 115-121 | 2007 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
0012730 | Pyrite | Rieder M, Crelling J C, Sustai O, Drabek M, Weiss Z, Klementova M (2007) Arsenic in iron disulfides in a brown coal from the North Bohemian Basin, Czech Republic International Journal of Coal Geology 71 115-121 | 2007 | Dul CSA mine, North Bohemian Basin, Czech Republic | 0 | 293 | |
0017728 | Pyrite | Oftedal I (1928) Uber die Kristallstrukturen der verbindungen RuS2, OsS2, MnTe2 und AuSb2. Mit einem Anhang uber die Gitterkonstant von Pyrit Zeitschrift fur Physikalische Chemie 135 291-299 | 1928 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Pyrite
Epitaxial Minerals:
Marcasite | FeS2 |
Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Epitaxy Comments:
Twinned prismatic marcasite crystals attached along pyrite octahedron edges from Rensselaer, Indiana (Brock and Slater, 1978). See also Rakovan et al. (1995).
Pyrite on chalcopyrite from Ege-Khay, Yakutia, Russia (Novgorodova 1977).
Pyrite on chalcopyrite from Ege-Khay, Yakutia, Russia (Novgorodova 1977).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.128 Å | (35) |
2.7088 Å | (85) |
2.4281 Å | (65) |
2.2118 Å | (50) |
1.9155 Å | (40) |
1.6332 Å | (100) |
1.5640 Å | (14) |
1.5025 Å | (20) |
1.4479 Å | (25) |
1.2427 Å | (12) |
1.2113 Å | (14) |
1.1823 Å | (8) |
1.1548 Å | (6) |
1.1057 Å | (6) |
1.0427 Å | (25) |
1.0060 Å | (8) |
0.9892 Å | (6) |
0.9577 Å | (12) |
0.9030 Å | (16) |
0.8788 Å | (8) |
0.8565 Å | (8) |
0.8261 Å | (4) |
0.8166 Å | (4) |
0.7981 Å | (6) |
Comments:
ICDD 6-710
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Geological Setting:
Common in many rock types, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary.
Synonyms of Pyrite
Other Language Names for Pyrite
Basque:Pirita
Bosnian:Pirit
Catalan:Pirita
Czech:Pyrit
Danish:Pyrit
Dutch:Pyriet
Esperanto:Pirito
Estonian:Püriit
Finnish:Rikkikiisu
French:Pyrite
Galician:Pirita
Greek:Σπίνος
Hebrew:פיריט
Hungarian:Pirit
Japanese:黄鉄鉱
Lithuanian:Piritas
Norwegian (Nynorsk):Svovelkis
Polish:Piryt
Portuguese:Pirite
Romanian:Pirită
Russian:Пирит
Sicilian:Petra fucali
Simplified Chinese:黄铁矿
Slovak:Pyrit
Slovenian:Pirit
Spanish:Pirita
Pyrita
Sideropyrita
Pyrita
Sideropyrita
Traditional Chinese:黃鐵礦
Turkish:Pirit
Ukrainian:Пірит
Varieties of Pyrite
Arsenic-bearing Pyrite | An arsenic-bearing variety of pyrite that may contain up to about 10 at.% of As (Abraitis et al., 2004). Not uncommon; often zoned. Arsenic may be present in different valence states. May contain submicroscopic gold. |
Bravoite | A nickel-bearing of pyrite. Compare the nickel analogue of pyrite, vaesite (NiS2), which forms a complete solid solution with pyrite. Originally reported from Ragra Mine (Minasragra), Junín, Cerro de Pasco, Alcides Carrión Province, Pasco Department,... |
Cobalt-bearing Pyrite | A cobalt-bearing variety of pyrite. |
Cobalt-nickel-pyrite (of Vernadsky) | A Ni- and Co-bearing pyrite. |
Copper-bearing Pyrite | A copper-bearing variety of pyrite. The substitution of Cu for Fe results in changes in unit-cell parameter and Raman spectra (Pačevski et al., 2008). |
Feather pyrite | Feather-shaped pseudomorphs of fine-grained pyrite after thin tabular pyrrhotite. Not uncommon in some sulphide ore deposits. |
Gelpyrit | An arsenic-bearing gel form of iron disulphide. |
Gold-bearing Pyrite | A gold-bearing variety of pyrite. Possibly a mixture of pyrite with submicroscopic native gold inclusions. |
Hengleinite | A cobalt-bearing bravoite. First described from Müsen, Siegerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. |
Hepatic pyrite | Liver-coloured pyrite or marcasite. |
Nadelpyrit | German name for acicular pyrite (literally 'needle pyrite'). |
Nickel-bearing Pyrite | A nickel-bearing variety of pyrite. |
Silver-bearing Pyrite | A silver-bearing pyrite, perhaps a mixture. |
Telaspyrine | Once considered a tellurium-bearing variety of pyrite, but probably a mixture. |
Thallium- and Arsenic-bearing Pyrite | A variety of pyrite rich in As and Tl. |
Relationship of Pyrite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Aurostibite | AuSb2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Cattierite | CoS2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Dzharkenite | FeSe2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Erlichmanite | OsS2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Fukuchilite | Cu3FeS8 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Gaotaiite | Ir3Te8 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Geversite | PtSb2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Hauerite | MnS2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Insizwaite | Pt(Bi,Sb)2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Krut'aite | CuSe2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Laurite | RuS2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Penroseite | (Ni,Co,Cu)Se2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Sperrylite | PtAs2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Trogtalite | CoSe2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Vaesite | NiS2 | Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Pa3 |
Villamanínite | (Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2 | Tric. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
10,059 photos of Pyrite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
7,170 photos of Pyrite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
4,142 photos of Pyrite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
2,655 photos of Pyrite associated with Galena | PbS |
2,519 photos of Pyrite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
2,358 photos of Pyrite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
2,115 photos of Pyrite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
2,102 photos of Pyrite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
1,166 photos of Pyrite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
1,025 photos of Pyrite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
2.EB. | Iridarsenite | (Ir,Ru)As2 |
2.EB. | Selenolaurite | RuSe2 |
2.EB. | Andrieslombaardite | RhSbS |
2.EB. | Kanatzidisite | (SbBiS3)2Te2 |
2.EB.05a | Aurostibite | AuSb2 |
2.EB.05b | Bambollaite | Cu(Se,Te)2 |
2.EB.05a | Cattierite | CoS2 |
2.EB.05a | Erlichmanite | OsS2 |
2.EB.05a | Fukuchilite | Cu3FeS8 |
2.EB.05a | Geversite | PtSb2 |
2.EB.05a | Hauerite | MnS2 |
2.EB.05a | Insizwaite | Pt(Bi,Sb)2 |
2.EB.05a | Krut'aite | CuSe2 |
2.EB.05a | Laurite | RuS2 |
2.EB.05a | Penroseite | (Ni,Co,Cu)Se2 |
2.EB.05a | Sperrylite | PtAs2 |
2.EB.05a | Trogtalite | CoSe2 |
2.EB.05a | Vaesite | NiS2 |
2.EB.05a | Villamanínite | (Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2 |
2.EB.05a | Dzharkenite | FeSe2 |
2.EB.05a | Gaotaiite | Ir3Te8 |
2.EB.05a v | Cayeuxite | |
2.EB.10b | Alloclasite | Co1-xFexAsS |
2.EB.10d | Costibite | CoSbS |
2.EB.10a | Ferroselite | FeSe2 |
2.EB.10a | Frohbergite | FeTe2 |
2.EB.10c | Glaucodot | (Co0.50Fe0.50)AsS |
2.EB.10a | Kullerudite | NiSe2 |
2.EB.10a | Marcasite | FeS2 |
2.EB.10a | Mattagamite | CoTe2 |
2.EB.10e | Paracostibite | CoSbS |
2.EB.10e | Pararammelsbergite | NiAs2 |
2.EB.10f | Oenite | CoSbAs |
2.EB.10a | Petříčekite | CuSe2 |
2.EB.15a | Anduoite | (Ru,Os)As2 |
2.EB.15a | Clinosafflorite | CoAs2 |
2.EB.15a | Löllingite | FeAs2 |
2.EB.15a | Nisbite | NiSb2 |
2.EB.15a | Omeiite | (Os,Ru)As2 |
2.EB.15c | Paxite | CuAs2 |
2.EB.15a | Rammelsbergite | NiAs2 |
2.EB.15a | Safflorite | (Co,Ni,Fe)As2 |
2.EB.15b | Seinäjokite | (Fe,Ni)(Sb,As)2 |
2.EB.20 | Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
2.EB.20 | Gudmundite | FeSbS |
2.EB.20 | Osarsite | (Os,Ru)AsS |
2.EB.20 | Ruarsite | (Ru,Os)AsS |
2.EB.25 va | Antimony-bearing Gersdorffite | Ni(As,Sb)S |
2.EB.25 | Cobaltite | CoAsS |
2.EB.25 | Gersdorffite | NiAsS |
2.EB.25 | Hollingworthite | (Rh,Pt,Pd)AsS |
2.EB.25 | Irarsite | (Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS |
2.EB.25 | Jolliffeite | NiAsSe |
2.EB.25 | Krutovite | NiAs2 |
2.EB.25 | Maslovite | PtBiTe |
2.EB.25 | Michenerite | PdBiTe |
2.EB.25 | Padmaite | PdBiSe |
2.EB.25 | Platarsite | Pt(As,S)2 |
2.EB.25 | Testibiopalladite | PdSbTe |
2.EB.25 | Tolovkite | IrSbS |
2.EB.25 | Ullmannite | NiSbS |
2.EB.25 | Willyamite | CoSbS |
2.EB.25 | Changchengite | IrBiS |
2.EB.25 | Mayingite | IrBiTe |
2.EB.25 | Kalungaite | PdAsSe |
2.EB.25 | Milotaite | PdSbSe |
2.EB.25 | Paragersdorffite | Ni(As,S)2 |
2.EB.25 | Orthogersdorffite | NiAsS |
2.EB.25 | Kvačekite | NiSbSe |
2.EB.30 | Urvantsevite | Pd(Bi,Pb)2 |
2.EB.35 | Rheniite | ReS2 |
Fluorescence of Pyrite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Heated in a closed tube gives a sublimate of sulfur and a magnetic residue.
Notes:
Insoluble in HCl. Decomposed by nitric acid.
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Many pyrites will tarnish over time, and some will even break down due to hydrous iron sulphates and other phases. This can be mitigated somewhat by storage in low-humidity environments but is hard to stop once started. See: http://www.mindat.org/mesg-19-170458.html
Health Risks:
Some fine-grained pyrite is metastable and may alter to melanterite, which contains sulphuric acid. Always wash hands after handling, especially decrepitated material. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.
Pyrite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Pyrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3314.html
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References for Pyrite
Reference List:
Bannister, F. A. (1932) The distinction of pyrite from marcasite in nodular growths. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 23 (138) 179-187 doi:10.1180/minmag.1932.023.138.04
Frenzel, Gerhard, Bloss, F. Donald (1967) Cleavage in pyrite. American Mineralogist, 52 (7-8) 994-1002
Yund, R. A., Hall, H. T. (1970) Kinetics and Mechanism of Pyrite Exsolution from Pyrrhotite. Journal of Petrology, 11 (2) 381-404 doi:10.1093/petrology/11.2.381
Pabst, A. (1971) Pyrite of unusual habit simulating twinning from the Green River formation of Wyoming. American Mineralogist, 56 (1-2) 133-145
Sweeney, R. E., Kaplan, I. R. (1973) Pyrite Framboid Formation; Laboratory Synthesis and Marine Sediments. Economic Geology, 68 (5) 618-634 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.68.5.618
Endo, Yuji, Sunagawa, Ichiro (1973) Positive and negative striations in pyrite. American Mineralogist, 58 (9-10) 930-935
Bayliss, Peter (1977) Crystal structure refinement of a weakly anisotropic pyrite. American Mineralogist, 62 (11-12) 1168-1172
Novgorodova, M. I. (1977) A case of epitaxial growth of pyrite crystals on chalcopyrite. International Geology Review, 19 (12) 1457-1460 doi:10.1080/00206817709471160
Brock, Kenneth J., Slater, Larry D. (1978) Epitaxial marcasite on pyrite from Rensselaer, Indiana. American Mineralogist, 63 (1-2) 210-212
Ostwald, Joseph, England, Brian M. (1979) The relationship between euhedral and framboidal pyrite in base-metal sulphide ores. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (326) 297-300 doi:10.1180/minmag.1979.043.326.13
Gait, R. I., Dumka, D. (1986) Morphology of pyrite from the Nanisivik mine, Baffin Island, Northwest Territories. The Canadian Mineralogist, 24 (4) 685-688
Bayliss, Peter (1989) Crystal chemistry and crystallography of some minerals within the pyrite group. American Mineralogist, 74 (9-10) 1168-1176
Schoonen, M. A. A., Barnes, H. L. (1991) Reactions forming pyrite and marcasite from solution: I. Nucleation of FeS2 below 100°C. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 55 (6) 1495-1504 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(91)90122-l
Schoonen, M. A. A., Barnes, H. L. (1991) Reactions forming pyrite and marcasite from solution: II. Via FeS precursors below 100°C. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 55 (6) 1505-1514 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(91)90123-m
Craig, James R., Vokes, Frank M. (1993) The metamorphism of pyrite and pyritic ores: an overview. Mineralogical Magazine, 57 (386) 3-18 doi:10.1180/minmag.1993.057.386.02
Libowitzky, Eugen (1994) Anisotropic pyrite: A polishing effect. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 21 (1) doi:10.1007/bf00205220
Rakovan, John, Schoonen, Martin A. A., Reeder, Richard J., Tyrna, Paul, Nelson, Daniel O. (1995) Epitaxial overgrowths of marcasite on pyrite from the Tunnel and Reservoir Project, Chicago, Illinois, USA: Implications for marcasite growth. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 59 (2) 343-346 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(94)00320-l
Dodony, Istvan, Posfal, Mihaly, Buseck, Peter R. (1996) Structural relationship between pyrite and marcasite. American Mineralogist, 81 (1) 119-125 doi:10.2138/am-1996-1-215
Wilkin, R. T., Barnes, H. L. (1996) Pyrite formation by reactions of iron monosulfides with dissolved inorganic and organic sulfur species. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 60 (21) 4167-4179 doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(97)81466-4
Wilkin, R. T., Barnes, H. L., Brantley, S. L. (1996) The size distribution of framboidal pyrite in modern sediments: An indicator of redox conditions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 60 (20) 3897-3912 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(96)00209-8
Fleet, Michael E., Mumin, A. Hamid (1997) Gold-bearing arsenian pyrite and marcasite and arsenopyrite from Carlin Trend gold deposits and laboratory synthesis. American Mineralogist, 82 (1) 182-193 doi:10.2138/am-1997-1-220
Wilkin, R. T., Barnes, H. L. (1997) Formation processes of framboidal pyrite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 61 (2) 323-339 doi:10.1016/s0016-7037(96)00320-1
Maddox, L. M., Bancroft, G. Michael, Scaini, M. J., Lorimer, J. W. (1998) Invisible gold; comparison of Au deposition on pyrite and arsenopyrite. American Mineralogist, 83 (11) 1240-1245 doi:10.2138/am-1998-11-1212
Nesbitt, H. W., Bancroft, G. M., Pratt, A. R., Scaini, M. J. (1998) Sulfur and iron surface states on fractured pyrite surfaces. American Mineralogist, 83 (9) 1067-1076 doi:10.2138/am-1998-9-1015
Schaufuß, Andrea G., Nesbitt, H. Wayne, Kartio, Ilkka, Laajalehto, Kari, Bancroft, G. Michael, Szargan, Rüdiger (1998) Reactivity of surface chemical states on fractured pyrite. Surface Science, 411 (3) 321-328 doi:10.1016/s0039-6028(98)00355-0
Nesbitt, H.W., Scaini, M., Höchst, H., Bancroft, G.M., Schaufuss, A.G., Szargan, R. (2000) Synchrotron XPS evidence for Fe2+-S and Fe3+-S surface species on pyrite fracture-surfaces, and their 3D electronic states. American Mineralogist, 85 (5) 850-857 doi:10.2138/am-2000-5-628
Uhlig, I, Szargan, R, Nesbitt, H.W, Laajalehto, K (2001) Surface states and reactivity of pyrite and marcasite. Applied Surface Science, 179. 222-229 doi:10.1016/s0169-4332(01)00283-5
Abraitis, P. K., Pattrick, R. A. D., Vaughan, D. J. (2004) Variations in the compositional, textural and electrical properties of natural pyrite: a review. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 74 (1) 41-59 doi:10.1016/j.minpro.2003.09.002
Chouinard, A., Paquette, J., Williams-Jones, A. E. (2005) Crystallographic controls on trace-element incorporation in auriferous pyrite from the Pascua epithermal high-sulfidation deposit, Chile-Argentina. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (3) 951-963 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.3.951
Bonev, Ivan K., Garcia-Ruiz, Juan Manuel, Atanassova, Radostina, Otalora, Fermin, Petrussenko, Svetoslav (2006) Genesis of filamentary pyrite associated with calcite crystals. European Journal of Mineralogy, 17 (6) 905-913 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2005/0017-0905
Blanchard, Marc, Alfredsson, Maria, Brodholt, John, Wright, Kate, Catlow, C. Richard A. (2007) Arsenic incorporation into FeS2 pyrite and its influence on dissolution: A DFT study. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 71 (3) 624-630 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2006.09.021
Deditius, Artur P., Utsunomiya, Satoshi, Reich, Martin, Kesler, Stephen E., Ewing, Rodney C., Hough, Robert, Walshe, John (2011) Trace metal nanoparticles in pyrite. Ore Geology Reviews, 42 (1) 32-46 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2011.03.003
Cabral, A. R., Beaudoin, G., Munnik, F. (2011) Lead in diagenetic pyrite: evidence for Pb-tolerant bacteria in a red-bed Cu deposit, Quebec Appalachians, Canada. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (2) 295-302 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.2.295
Rečnik, Aleksander, Zavašnik, Janez, Jin, Lei, Čobić, Andrea, Daneu, Nina (2016) On the origin of 'iron-cross' twins of pyrite from Mt. Katarina, Slovenia. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (6) 937-948 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.073
Le Pape, Pierre, Blanchard, Marc, Brest, Jessica, Boulliard, Jean-Claude, Ikogou, Maya, Stetten, Lucie, Wang, Shuaitao, Landrot, Gautier, Morin, Guillaume (2017) Arsenic Incorporation in Pyrite at Ambient Temperature at Both Tetrahedral S–I and Octahedral FeII Sites: Evidence from EXAFS–DFT Analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 51 (1). 150-158 doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b03502
Becherini, Francesca, Del Favero, Letizia, Fornasiero, Mariagabriella, Guastoni, Alessandro, Bernardi, Adriana (2018) Pyrite Decay of Large Fossils: The Case Study of the Hall of Palms in Padova, Italy. Minerals, 8 (2) 40 doi:10.3390/min8020040
Gregory, Daniel David, Kohn, Matthew J. (2020) Pyrite: Fool's gold records starvation of bacteria. American Mineralogist, 105 (2) 282-283 doi:10.2138/am-2020-7234
Zhang, He, Qian, Gujie, Cai, Yuanfeng, Gibson, Christopher, Pring, Allan (2022) Crystal chemistry of arsenian pyrites: A Raman spectroscopic study. American Mineralogist, 107 (2) 274-281 doi:10.2138/am-2021-7806
Chen, Juan, Li, Heping, Yuan, Yi, Zhang, Mengxue, Shuai, Shuhang, Wan, Jingjing (2022) Raman Spectroscopic Studies of Pyrite at High Pressure and High Temperature. Minerals, 12 (3) 332 doi:10.3390/min12030332
Arrouvel, Corinne (2022) Crystal shapes, triglyphs, and twins in minerals: The case of pyrite. American Mineralogist, 107 (12) 2251-2260 doi:10.2138/am-2022-8280
Moëlo, Yves, Nespolo, Massimo, Farges, François (2023) Pyrite contact twins. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials, 79 (1) 32-45 doi:10.1107/s2052520622011714
Significant localities for Pyrite
Showing 58 significant localities out of 46,729 recorded on mindat.org.
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| H. Meixner: Carinthia II 158./78.:96-101 (1968) |
| G. Niedermayr: Carinthia II 176./96.:523 (1986) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| R. Hasler Collection |
Canada | |
| Gait et al. (1986) +2 other references |
| Rod Tyson Personal Communication (RWMW) |
| R.J Traill 1983 +2 other references |
| Oscar Jose Tessari (1979) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Jingye Jiang et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Le Roc'h P. () |
| Alain Steinmetz and Thierry Brunsperger ... |
| Leboucher (1999) |
Germany | |
| Lapis 15 (7/8) |
Greece | |
| Zeschke (1963) +1 other reference |
Ireland | |
| Barry Flannery Collection +1 other reference |
Stephen Moreton (Pers. Comm.) | |
Gasparrini (1978) +4 other references | |
Italy | |
| Panichi (1909) |
Panichi (1909) | |
Orlandi +1 other reference | |
| |
| Orlandi et al. (2004) |
Kosovo | |
| Féraud J. (1979) +3 other references |
Norway | |
| Revheim (2006) |
Peru | |
| Mineralogical Record 28 (1997) +2 other references |
| Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +1 other reference |
| collections of Rock Currier +1 other reference |
| - (1997) |
| Scherkenbach et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Burkart-Baumann +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Grant et al. (2001) +2 other references |
Spain | |
| Calvo et al. (1989) |
| Calvo et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
Calvo et al. (1989) | |
Calvo et al. (1989) +1 other reference | |
Turkey | |
| Econ Geol (1993) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Schooner (1961) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60 (3) +4 other references |
| Williams (circa 1945) +1 other reference |
| Ralph Lieser of Pappy’s Beryl Shop +4 other references |
| J. Zolan/M. Polletta observation |
| P Cristofono collection +1 other reference |
| S Pavadore collection |
| Harvard Museum of Natural History |
| James Roush' Collection |
| Rocks & Min.:64:23 +1 other reference |
| Jaszczak (1997) |
| Rocks & Minerals 82:472-483 +1 other reference |
| Mike polletta collected pyrite with his ... |
| Mineral collecting in Pennsylvania - ... |
| "Arthur Koch - collection" |
| Cement Industry Technical Conference et al. (s) |
| Piela (1961) |
| Johannes Swarts collection |
| Eric He's Collection +1 other reference |
| Cannon (1975) +4 other references |
Lasmanis +2 other references |
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Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain