Pyrite: Difference between revisions

Pyrite consists of of both [[iron]] and sulfur, making it an iron sulfide mineral.  This mineral has a brassy yellow color that leaves a greenish black to brownish black streak.  This mineral is opaque, meaning it is not transparent, so it cannot be seen through.  Pyrite is brittle, meaning it will break when too much force is applied.  Other substances are malleable which means they will bend, not break when exposed to a certain amount of pressure.<ref name=geology.com> [http://geology.com/minerals/pyrite.shtml Pyrite - Mineral Properties and Uses] ''Geology.com''. Web. Accessed on March 16, 2013. Author Unknown</ref>  Pyrite usually has a cubic shape, but occasionally it will be found as octahedrons, nodules, massive forms, and coarse granules. On the mohs scale pyrite has a hardness of 6-6.5.  The cleavage is indestinct, meaning there is no definite cleavage shape.<ref name=pyrite> [http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/mom/pyrite/pyrite.html Pyrite] ''Department of Chemistry''. Web. Accessed on March 16, 2013. Author Unknown</ref>