Mineral description : Pyrite

Pyrite banded rock from Horsmanaho talc quarry, Finland.

Pyrite crystal in pyrrhotite and magnetite from Riddarhyttan. Crystal showing cubic {100} and octaedric {111} faces.

Pyrite, aggregate of octahedron crystals. Unknown locality.

Mineral class	Sulphides : Pyrite-marcasite group
Chemical formula	FeS2
Crystal system	Cubic
Habitus	Crystals common as cubes, octahedrons and dodekahedrons with sometimes striated crystal faces. Also as massive grainy aggregates.
Cleavage	None, brittle conchoidal fracture.
Hardness	6
Density	5.0-5.2
Color	Light yellow, brass like. Sometimes with brown or rusty tarnish.
Streak	Black to greenish black.
Luster	metallic
Description	Pyrite is the most common sulphide mineral and is used as an ore for sulphur and iron.
Occurance	Pyrite is common in many rocks. It occurs in sedimentary rocks, in magmatic rocks and in metamorphic rocks.
Associates	Other sulphides, gold.
Notes	When heated, pyrite turns magnetic
Locations	A very common mineral with a number of localities with good crystals. Dannemora mines, Uppland. Up to 2 cm crystals in helleflinta. Riddarhytte mining field, Västmanland. Up to 2 cm octahedrons in pyrrhotite, chalkopyrite and magnetite. Persberg, Värmland. Up to 4 cm crystals in jugs in magnetite and scarn. Långban and Nordmark, Värmland. Small but nice crystals of various forms. Bäsinge copper mine, Dalarna. Up to 5 cm octahedrons in pyrrhotite. Kleva mine, Alseda. Up to 10 cm octahedrons in pyrrhotite. Insjön mine, Dalarna. Cubic crystals in great quantities. Sala silver mine, Västmanland. Common as cubic crystals in limestone.

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