Pyrite got its name due to its specific properties, such as being able to sparkle upon impact. In Greek the mineral’s name means "a stone that strikes fire". In fact, 200 years ago there was almost no other way to light the fire but to use pyrite or flint as the "matches".
The stone is often mistaken for gold because of its color and glitter. Spanish conquistadors and gold diggers, who often lacked literacy, either mined or took away cube pyrites from the locals, believing that those were the precious stones. Thus, pyrite got another name - "fool's gold".
Pyrite is actually iron sulfide, the most widespread mineral in its class. In nature, this mineral may take a form of beautiful cubic crystals with definitive shading on the faces.
The biggest amounts of commercially productive pyrite ores in Russia are located in the Urals.This mineral is mainly developed in order to remove impurities, as its mineral composition is comprised of multiple valuable elements, including cobalt, nickel, copper and gold. Moreover, it is impossible to produce sulfuric acid without adding pyrite.
Pyrite with fluorite. Akchatau, Kazakhstan
Pyrite. A radial-beam aggregate. Diameter-85mm. Sparta, Illinois, USA
Pyrite. Druse of cubic crystals. Berezovskoye deposit, the Urals
