Pyrite For Sale

The mineral pyrite or iron pyrite is commonly referred to as Fool's Gold because its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold. In the old mining days, pyrite was sometimes mistaken for gold! Pyrite is the most common of the sulfide minerals with the chemical formula FeS2. Pyrite crystals occur in many shapes and habits, including cubes of all sizes, penetration twin cubes, pyritohedral clusters, and as small druzy crystals that can exhibit a beautiful glistening effect.

680 Items ($4 to $795)

Incredible, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #305238

5.25" Incredible, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$795

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #305231

5.35" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$495

Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway #177280

6" Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway

$265 $150

Polished Barite With Pyrite Slab - Lubin Mine, Poland #302434

7.15" Polished Barite With Pyrite Slab - Lubin Mine, Poland

$195

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #304067

2.8" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$195

Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway #177279

5.5" Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway

$195

Hematite Quartz, Chalcopyrite and Pyrite Association - China #205517

5.4" Hematite Quartz, Chalcopyrite and Pyrite Association - China

$145

Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain #227644

1.17" Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain

$145

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #304075

2.2" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$99

Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway #177275

2" Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway

$95

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #304080

2.55" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$79

Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway #177277

2.6" Pyrite Crystals in Matrix - Nærsnes, Norway

$59

Golden Pyrite on Limonite Clay - Pakistan #283726

2.45" Golden Pyrite on Limonite Clay - Pakistan

$55

2.35" Polished Pyrite Sphere - Peru

$45

Golden Pyrite on Limonite Clay - Pakistan #283716

3.35" Golden Pyrite on Limonite Clay - Pakistan

$45

Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain #304046

.92" Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain

$39

Gleaming Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru #271575

3" Gleaming Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru

$39

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #305338

1.9" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$35

Gleaming Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru #271588

3.3" Gleaming Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru

$35

Gleaming Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru #271583

3.2" Gleaming Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru

$29

Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain #304024

.80" Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain

$29

Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain #304017

.82" Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain

$29

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #305340

1.65" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$29

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #305339

1.6" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$29

2.2" Polished Pyrite Egg - Peru

$29

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #307147

1.33" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$25

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #307119

1.39" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$25

Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain #307118

1.31" Shiny, Natural Pyrite Cube Cluster - Navajun, Spain

$25

Octahedral Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru #301977

1.45" Octahedral Pyrite Crystal Cluster - Peru

$25

Beige Calcite Aggregation on Chalcopyrite and Sphalerite - Peru #276067

3.1" Beige Calcite Aggregation on Chalcopyrite and Sphalerite - Peru

$25

How Does Pyrite Form?

Pyrite (FeS2) can form in a variety of different geologic environments, though these environments must contain sulfur and iron. In sedimentary rock, pyrite is typically formed in anoxic environments as a byproduct of organic matter decay processes. When the small amounts of oxygen are consumed during decay, sulfur is often a byproduct. When iron is present in this environment, pyrite has the chemical components to form. In marine shales around the world, small disk-shaped pyrite formations are found as a result of this process. The coal deposits near Sparta, Illinois produce large pyrite disks that are known as "pyrite suns".

In sedimentary deposits, pyrite can also replace the organic matter of various organisms, which then become pyritized fossils. This process, known as permineralization, requires both anaerobic (does not require oxygen for survival) and aerobic (needs oxygen) bacteria, as well as an oxygen-poor environment that provides the proper amount of iron. The organic matter consumption process of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria results in production of sulfide, which with the help of the bacteria combines with the iron present in the environment and oxidizes. Through this process, soft tissue has been found preserved as pyrite! An example of this is the pyritized trilobites that come out of the Whetstone Gulf Formation of New York. These trilobites have been found with phenomenal soft tissue preservation, including egg preservation.

Pyrite is also found in igneous and metamorphic rock formations, though its presentations within the rock are dependent on the geologic mechanisms involved in formation. It's been found in aggregations as the result of mineral segregation during the cooling of magma, as stalactites that gained chemicals from the surrounding rock, and as crystals formed from hydrothermal fluids.

Where Can Pyrite Be Found?

Pyrite occurs all over the world, with thousands of known localities where well-formed pyrite crystals can be found. However, some localities stand out more than others, whether it be because of the pyrite's crystal structure, color, or just the overall aesthetic appearance of it.

One of these localities that produces phenomenal pyrite cubes is the Victoria Mine in Navajun, Spain. Pyrite from this location is famous for its beautiful luster, near-perfect cubic formations, and sculptural appearances. The pyrite deposit of "Ampliación a Victoria" is located 3 kilometers northwest from Navajún town, in the Alcarama Mountain Chain. The history of mining in the area dates back to Roman silver mines around 200 B.C.E. Modern galena mining led to the discovery of the pyrite in 1965, and since then specimens from this locality have been sought out by collectors worldwide. The largest crystal found to date was over 19 centimeters wide and weighed 9.5 kilograms!

Peru also produces an assortment of different pyrite formations from a variety of mines. The Huanzala Mine in the central state of Ancash is renowned for its pristine and beautiful pyrite crystals as well as a wide variety of pyrite crystal structures. Pyritohedral, octahedral, and cubic crystals have come out of this locality.

The United States has many different locations that produce remarkable pyrite specimens. One notable locality that is relatively close to us here at FossilEra is the Spruce Ridge Claim in King County, Washington! This area in the Cascade Mountain Range is known for its quartz and pyrite associations, many of which produce pyrite crystals that can be quite large and exhibit excellent luster.

How Does Pyrite Differ From Gold?

To the untrained eye, pyrite looks very similar to gold, so it's easy to misidentify as gold. This predicament earned pyrite the alternative name of "fool's gold". Gold and pyrite are chemically different, resulting in different physical characteristics. For example, when applying pressure to pyrite, it will typically break or crumble, while gold will bend. Pyrite streaks a brown-grey color, while gold streaks a yellow color. Finding well-formed crystals is indicative of a pyrite deposit, since gold rarely forms as faceted crystals. Also, streak-testing pyrite should cause it to release a sulfurous odor due to the sulfur content in it, while gold shouldn't release any smell.

That being said, pyrite and gold do form in similar environments. In some cases, pyrite can be considered an indicator of possible nearby gold deposits!

What Is Pyrite Used For?

At one point in time, pyrite was a leading source of sulfur and sulfuric acid due to its sulfur content. However, obtaining sulfur from pyrite is a very uncommon practice nowadays, since most sulfur is now sourced from hydrodesulfurization (stripping oil molecules of sulfur atoms) during crude oil processing.

As far as iron is concerned, even though pyrite contains a sufficient concentration of iron, pyrite is not a leading source of iron production either. Instead, hematite is the leading source of iron ore for economic reasons. Though if this source for whatever reason became absent, pyrite and other iron-rich minerals could take its places.

Overall, pyrite's modern day primary applications are in jewelry, as display pieces, and as a minor source of gold. It has also become popular with the metaphysical and crystal healing community.

How Does Pyrite Form?

Where Can Pyrite Be Found?

How Does Pyrite Differ From Gold?

What Is Pyrite Used For?