Mineral 1.0Test your knowledge of specific minerals

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Pyrite (crystalline)FeS2

Class: Sulfide
Hardness: 6 - 6.5
Density: 5.0
Streak: Greenish/brownish black
Lustre: Metallic
Habit: Perfect cubic crystalline habit.
Colours: Bronze-yellow

  Crystal System: Isometric
Cleavage: Good
Fracture: Conchoidal
Magnetism: Unknown
Reaction with HCl: None

Identification in hand sample:
Colour, hardness, streak and habit are best indicators. Gives off sparks when struck with a hard metal object.

Associations:
Most common sulfide mineral, almost always present in hydrothermal deposits.

Industrial / ecomonic uses:
May be used as source of iron or sulfur, but not normally of economic value.

  

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