Actually Pyrite comes from a Greek word, Pyrite meaning Fire.
Pyrite is the classic Fool's Gold. There are other shiny brassy yellow
minerals, but pyrite is by far the most common and the most mistaken for
gold. Due to its natural golden colour look, Pyrite is a favourite among
rock collectors. It has beautiful luster and interesting crystals. It is so common in the
earth's crust that is is found in almost every possible environment.,
hence it has a vast number of
forms and varieties. Pyrite is harder, less dense, and more
brittle than gold. It leaves a greenish black streak while gold leaves
a golden yellow one. However, Pyrite is often associated with the
presence of gold and
copper.
Pyrite is a
polymorph of marcasit,
which means that is has the same chemistry, FeS2, as marcaiste: but a
different structure and therefore different symmetry and crystal shapes.
Pyrite is difficult to distinguish from marcasite when a lack of clear
indicators exists.
Pyrite is common and contains a high
percentage of Iron, it has
never been used as a significant source of Iron. Iron oxides such as
hematite and magnetite, are the primary Iron ores. Pyrite is not as
economical as these ores possibly due to their tendenchy to form larger
concentrations of more easily mined material. Pyrite could be a
potential source of Iron if these ores should become scarce.
PYRITE DEPOSITS IN
TANZANIA
Here in Tanzania Pyrite is found in Mererani - Where
Tanzanite is being Mined. Infact for any Experienced Tanzanite
Miner when they have reached the Pyrite and very very greasy Graphite
within the Tanzanite Gems Vein ,They are
certainly sure within few metres of Mining they will find packeted
Tanzanite Gemstones.
Pyrite is also found in Tanga Region plus other
few regions in Tanzania, In Tanga its Mining Deposits are not yet
full Explored.
Pyrite is the most common of the
sulfide minerals and can be found worldwide. It?s the most important
source of sulfur after native sulfur, Though Pyrite has been mined for
its sulfur content though. During World War II, Sulfur was in demand as
a strategic chemical and North American native sulfur mines were drying
up. A sulfide deposit was found closer to Ducktown, Tennessae USA.,this deposits didnt only
produce Pyrite but they did also produce other sulfides such as
Pyrrhotite and Pentlandite and produce the needed sulfur as well as Iron
and other metals.The sulfur is used in the production of Sulfuric acid, an important
chemical for industrial purposes. Now most sulfur production comes
from H2S gas recovered from
natural gas wells
The mineral has a brassy yellow
colour, it tends to form in cubes. The crystal faces are striated (
lined with fine ridges). Striking it with steel produces a spark.
Characteristics - Brittle,
striations on cubic faces caused by crossing of pyritohedron with cube.
(note - striations on cube faces also demonstrate pyrite's lower
symmetry). Pyrite unlike is not malleable. Associated Minerals are
quartz, calcite, gold, sphalerite, galena, fluorite and many other
minerals.
Notable Occurrences - USA, Peru, Germany, Russian,
Spain,Tanzania and South Africa.
