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Pyrite (Photo) [abbr. Py ]

Year of discovery: Prehistoric (World), 1875 (Japan)

Locality list: 4,774 localities of pyrite

• FeS₂
• [Fe²⁺][S₂]^2-

• Class: Pyrite group
• Class: Disulfide
• Variety: Bravoite (+Ni)
• Insoluble in: HCl
• Magnetism: Paramagnetic (After heating)
• Hydrate to Melanterite in some cases.
• Formed under high-T condition or alkaline low-T condition comparing to Marcasite.
• Alter to Rhomboclase or Römerite (Romerite).
• Substitution pseudomorph: Replaced by Goethite.
• Incrustation pseudomorph: Replaced by Malachite.

• Polymorph: Marcasite (Orthorhombic, under alkaline low-T condition)

• Fe => Mn: Hauerite
• Fe => Co: Cattierite (Series)
• Fe => Os: Erlichmanite
• Fe => Ru: Laurite
• Fe => Ni: Vaesite
• Fe => Cu: Villamanínite (Villamaninite)
• Fe => (Cu,Fe): Fukuchilite
• Fe => W: Tungstenite
• Fe => Mo: Molybdenite, Jordisite

• S => Se: Ferroselite, Dzharkenite
• S => Te: Frohbergite
• S => As: Löllingite (Lollingite)
• S => Sb: Seinäjokite (Seinajokite)

• Color: Pale yellow
• Streak: Greenish black
• Luster: Metallic
• Diaphaneity: Opaque

• Habit: Cubic, Penta-Dodecahedron (Pyritehedral), Octahedral, Acicular
• Aggregate: Glubular, Stalactitic,
• Twin: [001] on {011}, penetration and contact

• Cleavage: Indistinct on {001} (1 plane)
• Hardness: 6-6.5
• Density: 5.0

• System: Cubic
• Group: m3, Pa3
• Lattice: a=5.4

• Never associated with: Löllingite (Lollingite)

Etymology: Pyr (Fire) in Greek