The stone pyrite, or as it is also called, “fool’s gold,” is now quite famous. It was discovered back in Ancient Egypt, and it is still popular. Pyrite is a mineral that closely resembles gold in appearance, usually golden yellow in color, but this is only in appearance. The stone itself is very hard, much harder than gold itself. Crystals of this are usually found in the form of a cube, sometimes in an octagonal shape.
Fool's gold mineral pyrite - the beginning of a legend
Pyrite was often confused with gold, due to its great similarity in color, and also because this mineral was usually found next to gold. Pyrite deposits were discovered by the Indians, not far from the gold veins. When the famous “Gold Rush” began, many gold miners brought home pyrite under the guise of gold.
The peak of fashion for pyrite was in the seventeenth century in Europe. This stone was used to imitate diamonds and was inserted into jewelry made of gold and silver. It was also popular during the Napoleonic War. Products made from this stone were given to ladies who donated their precious jewelry to the needs of the war. Women liked such jewelry, but with the end of the war the fashion stopped.
Well, with the beginning of the twentieth century, inserts began to be made from raw pyrite along with other precious stones. Due to its low cost and bright appearance, this mineral is still widely used today.
Application[ | ]
Pyrite is a raw material for the production of sulfuric acid, sulfur and iron sulfate, but has recently been rarely used for these purposes. At the moment, it is increasingly used as a corrective additive in the production of cements. It is extracted in huge volumes during the development of hydrothermal deposits of copper, lead, zinc, tin and other non-ferrous metals. But processing pyrite into useful components usually turns out to be uneconomical, and it is sent to dumps.
Greek name for "fire-making stone"
due to the property of pyrite to produce sparks upon impact.
Due to this property, it was used in wheel locks, and then in impact-flint[ source not specified 354 days
][4]locks of guns and pistols as flint (steel-pyrite pair).
A pyrite crystal, along with crystals of some other minerals, was used in the design of a simple detector radio receiver as a detector diode due to the property of the pyrite-metal contact to pass current predominantly in one direction.
- Pyrite in an ammonite shell
- Pyrite crystals
- "Pyrite dollar", mined in Arizona, diameter 10 cm
- Pyrite cubes in rock
- Crystal cluster
- Ammonite shell replaced by pyrite
- Intergrowth of pyrite and pyrrhotite, colored SEM image
Large pyrite deposits
Mining pyrite is a fairly inexpensive business, since it is located next to other, usually more valuable metals, and there is no need to mine it separately. Pyrite deposits are located all over the world, but the largest are in Russia, the USA, and Sweden. It is also mined in Azerbaijan, Spain, and Norway. But the most interesting and valuable samples are supplied only by Italy.
Physico-chemical properties of pyrite
The chemical formula of pyrite is FeS2. The stone is opaque, it has a beautiful metallic luster, and a bright golden yellow color. According to the Mohs scale, the hardness of this mineral is 6-6.5, and the density is 5.0-5.25 g/cm3. The cleavage of pyrite (i.e., the ability of the mineral to split and during this splitting to obtain smooth surfaces) is not ideal, the fracture is uneven. This mineral is also a poor conductor of electricity.
Hydrochloric acid has no effect on it, but it dissolves in nitric acid. Pyrite must be kept away from water, because of it it can quickly rust, and if it is kept in water for several years, it will completely crumble. This mineral is almost non-magnetic. Sometimes it contains impurities of gold, selenium, silver, cobalt, zinc, copper, and arsenic. Very often you come across samples of golden, dark yellow, and light golden color. The difference in color is due to impurities of other minerals: copper, nickel, gold, cobalt.
Literature[ | ]
- Cornelius S. Hurlbut, Cornelis Klein
(1985). Manual of Mineralogy, 20th ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, p 285—286, ISBN 0-471-80580-7 - Popov P. A., Fedorov P. P., Kuznetsov S. V.
Thermal conductivity of FeS2 pyrite crystal in the temperature range 50-300 K // Crystallografiya, 2013. T. 58. No. 2. - P. 314-316. - Betekhtin A.G.
Pyrite group // Mineralogy course: textbook. - M.: KDU, 2007. - P. 240-256 (structure - figure on P. 241). — 721 p. - Pyrite // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
Common Varieties of Fool's Gold
Some of the most common varieties of pyrite are bravoite, chalcopyrite and marcasite.
- Bravoite - it contains a small proportion of nickel, which is why it has a pale golden color and a beautiful shiny surface. Bravoite also has a metallic sheen and sharp edges of regular shape. Due to the fact that the nickel content in bravoite reaches up to 20%, it is considered to be nickel ore.
- Chalcopyrite - also called copper pyrite, has a large proportion of copper in its composition. Its color is already brighter, sometimes even more reddish. It is not very common in industry as it is very fragile.
- Marcasite (or rainbow mineral) – it contains cobalt, thallium, and lead. Although it is fragile and short-lived, this mineral is highly prized by jewelers. Unlike pyrite, marcasite does not form large crystals; it appears as finely crystalline masses. The color of marcasite is very beautiful, iridescent. Due to its special structure, this mineral can be cast in all sorts of, almost any colors.
Collapse
A week after de Guzman's death, on March 26, 1997, Freeport-McMoRan announced that the results of its own exploration, led by Australian geologist Colin Jones, showed "negligible gold content" in ore from the Busang deposit. This news came as a real shock.
Bre-X requested further verification of the results and new test drilling in Busang, but the results received on April 1 were exactly the same: “the Busang deposit is of no economic significance.” The shares were rapidly falling in price, but some investors still wanted to believe in the possibility of a ridiculous mistake and held on to their securities. The management of the company itself, which owned shares of Bre-X, did not suffer too much from this - even before the collapse of the company, starting in 1995, when the price of Bre-X shares was steadily rising, Walsh, De Guzman and Felderhof began to gradually sell their securities.
Healing properties of pyrite
It has long been believed that pyrite has a beneficial, healing effect on humans. Due to the strong energy that this mineral has, it can favorably influence the human biofield. Pyrite is even used to make talismans and amulets that help in the fight against depression and depression. It is especially recommended for: those who suffer from insomnia, pregnant and nursing mothers, people with venous diseases and problems with the circulatory system, those with weakened immunity, asthmatics, and for the prevention of colds.
With constant contact of pyrite with the skin, self-confidence and fortitude appear, it strengthens in making important decisions, relieves the mind of obsessive and dark thoughts, and restores calm and clarity of mind.
Notes[ | ]
- Sergey Burkov, Vyacheslav Vasiliev, Anatoly Kapitonov.
Lattice elastic constants of minerals with a complex internal structure. — Litres, 2019-06-27. — 632 p. — ISBN 978-5-04-177555-1. - Electrical properties of ore minerals and their use for solving mineragenic and geological problems (unspecified)
.
cyberleninka.ru
. Date accessed: December 2, 2021. - Anton Nelikhov.
Luskhan - an unusual pliosaur from the Ulyanovsk region - Elements, 06/07/2017 - Great commanders of Russia. Volume 7: Field marshals of the 18th century. - Komsomolskaya Pravda. — 98 s. — ISBN 978-5-87107-872-3.
Magic properties
Practicing sorcerers and magicians claim that the stone is able to restore their energy after various magical rituals, and that in those who achieved harmony with pyrite, it awakened a desire for the high, spiritual. Such owners gained the ability for self-development, as he saved them from laziness, anxiety and doubt.
It is also believed that pyrite attracts cash flows and makes it easier to find new ways to make money, or even start your own business. Pyrite also has a beneficial effect on family relationships. He is able to bring romance back into relationships and help in family matters. Products made from pyrite protect the house from enemies and save the owner from danger.
But this stone will faithfully serve and help only people with pure thoughts. Pyrite does not like evil, vile and hypocritical people; it can begin to “harm” such people, and instead of having healing properties, it will act negatively.
Lessons
The “golden scam of the century” had an extremely negative impact on the entire mining industry market. After the Busang scandal, investors were in no hurry to invest in new projects, a large number of gold mining companies stopped issuing new shares, since no one wanted to buy them - it was now not so easy to convince the market of their honesty. The Toronto Stock Exchange fell into a heavy hangover sleep. After the deafening growth of Bre-X, there was an equally deafening collapse of all securities - all operations had to be frozen for some time. Most investors after this scandal turned their backs on resource companies and looked for more conservative ways to invest their money - the North American mining industry was deprived of an abundant influx of investment for several years.
The Walsh fraud scandal forced Canadian legislators to reconsider their attitude to free markets: they issued a new law, National Instrument 43-101, regulating the sale of shares in mining companies. It was intended to protect investors from false information about mining projects. New rules and reporting standards for exploration have been introduced, requiring Canadian-listed mining companies to submit ore samples in sealed containers to laboratories accredited by the American Geological Institute. As a result of the Bre-X story and the right conclusions, the Toronto Stock Exchange is one of the safest places to invest in junior mineral exploration and development companies today.
Who is pyrite best suited for?
Jewelry made from pyrite can be worn by almost everyone. It will have a good effect on the entire body. A man who wears pyrite products becomes confident in himself, and women begin to be attracted to him. But this stone is for those who like serious long-term relationships, and not for lovers of short-term hobbies. It’s also much easier for girls to find their man with the help of pyrite.
The influence of pyrite on zodiac signs
Aries from envy and deception, improve things at work, and generally influence life in a positive way, making it more pleasant and brighter. It will help you overcome failures and begin to strive for self-improvement.
For Leos, the stone will help improve family life and renew passion between spouses. The Leo man will receive a boost of energy, and the woman will feel beautiful and desirable again.
For Sagittarius, the stone will help them find spiritual harmony, understand themselves, and find their right path in life.
For Taurus , the mineral will help channel their violent energy in the right direction, gain financial stability, and improve relationships with people. It will also help in finding your other half.
For Gemini, the stone will help them become more reasonable, increase their concentration, and be more collected.
Cancers are not recommended to wear items made of pyrite, since the stone conflicts with water signs and the energy of the stone is not suitable for them.
Fish . For men, pyrite will be magically useless, but for girls it will help them find a husband, find family happiness, and become more collected.
For Aquarius, the stone will be useless, but it will not do any harm.
for Virgos to wear pyrite all the time. It's better to just keep it at home, taking it out only occasionally.
For Capricorns, the mineral will help improve their financial and personal situation and unlock their potential.
Scorpio will be protected from damage and evil.
Libra is recommended to wear pyrite as an amulet constantly. He will protect them from rash decisions and protect them from danger.
Use of pyrite in industry
In industry, this mineral has received very wide application; it is used in a variety of fields. Sulfuric acid is obtained from it, pyrite cinders can be used as iron ore, added to concrete, chemical waste is purified from chlorine impurities, and sometimes gold, nickel, chromium, cobalt, silver, and copper are extracted from it.
Jewelers make a variety of jewelry from it. This stone is inserted into gold and silver, sometimes even in its raw form. And large rainbow pyrite stones with regular geometric shapes have real value for collectors and can be quite expensive.
How to recognize a fake
Yes, despite its cheapness, “fool’s gold” is also counterfeited. And in the simplest way, ordinary paint is applied to plastic or glass. It is quite easy to recognize whether it is a fake or not. Look carefully at the light, pyrite is always opaque, or run your fingernail over the product, if a scratch is formed, it means that it is spraying, and you are being deceived.
It is also not difficult to distinguish pyrite from gold. Gold is softer and more pliable, has a streamlined shape, while pyrite, on the contrary, is hard, has sharp edges, and in appearance it is more like a crystal. Also, gold, unlike pyrite, does not enter into chemical reactions with most substances. And the shine of gold in the light is completely different from that of false gold, which loses its shine in the light.
Jeweler's comment
Molokanov N.M.
Jeweler, 26 years of experience in jewelry production.
It’s not for nothing that the mineral is called fool’s gold. Its deceptive shine makes it possible to make beautiful jewelry stylized in gold. On the one hand, this is an opportunity to create budget jewelry options, on the other hand, the development of fraudulent schemes. And although the time when people, out of ignorance, mistaking fools for gold placers for a precious metal has passed, unscrupulous masters of making money from counterfeits still remain. And if you consider that jewelers never use pure gold, but only alloys, then it is not difficult to deceive an unscrupulous buyer. Therefore, be sure to buy jewelry from trusted sellers, request the necessary documentation, and study the composition of the product. Getting the right information will protect you from scammers.
Care and storage of pyrite products
It is advisable to store jewelry in some dark place, avoiding the proximity of other stones. It is quite fragile and it is necessary to protect it as much as possible from impacts and falls. Do not allow water to enter; it is recommended to clean pyrite jewelry with a regular dry cloth. Pyrite should be stored separately from other stones; it can only tolerate the proximity of serpentine and azurite.
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