The stone pyrite, or as it is also called, “fool’s gold,” is now quite famous. It was discovered back in Ancient Egypt, and it is still popular. Pyrite is a mineral that closely resembles gold in appearance, usually golden yellow in color, but this is only in appearance. The stone itself is very hard, much harder than gold itself. Crystals of this are usually found in the form of a cube, sometimes in an octagonal shape.
Fool's gold mineral pyrite - the beginning of a legend
Pyrite was often confused with gold, due to its great similarity in color, and also because this mineral was usually found next to gold. Pyrite deposits were discovered by the Indians, not far from the gold veins. When the famous “Gold Rush” began, many gold miners brought home pyrite under the guise of gold.
The peak of fashion for pyrite was in the seventeenth century in Europe. This stone was used to imitate diamonds and was inserted into jewelry made of gold and silver. It was also popular during the Napoleonic War. Products made from this stone were given to ladies who donated their precious jewelry to the needs of the war. Women liked such jewelry, but with the end of the war the fashion stopped.
Well, with the beginning of the twentieth century, inserts began to be made from raw pyrite along with other precious stones. Due to its low cost and bright appearance, this mineral is still widely used today.
Caring for mineral products
Pyrite jewelry requires special, careful care. The stone itself is hard, but very fragile, so it should be protected from mechanical influences, as well as from the influence of chemical agents.
The main advice for preserving the original appearance of the stone is to coat the new, washed, dried product or insert with colorless varnish. Then the decoration will be able to please the eye longer.
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Even with very careful care, pyrite will lose its appearance over time, and may even collapse. For collectors, it is recommended to store pyrite specimens in a vacuum, and for those who cannot afford it, they can at least simply boil it in paraffin.
Large pyrite deposits
Mining pyrite is a fairly inexpensive business, since it is located next to other, usually more valuable metals, and there is no need to mine it separately. Pyrite deposits are located all over the world, but the largest are in Russia, the USA, and Sweden. It is also mined in Azerbaijan, Spain, and Norway. But the most interesting and valuable samples are supplied only by Italy.
Physico-chemical properties of pyrite
The chemical formula of pyrite is FeS2. The stone is opaque, it has a beautiful metallic luster, and a bright golden yellow color. According to the Mohs scale, the hardness of this mineral is 6-6.5, and the density is 5.0-5.25 g/cm3. The cleavage of pyrite (i.e., the ability of the mineral to split and during this splitting to obtain smooth surfaces) is not ideal, the fracture is uneven. This mineral is also a poor conductor of electricity.
Hydrochloric acid has no effect on it, but it dissolves in nitric acid. Pyrite must be kept away from water, because of it it can quickly rust, and if it is kept in water for several years, it will completely crumble. This mineral is almost non-magnetic. Sometimes it contains impurities of gold, selenium, silver, cobalt, zinc, copper, and arsenic. Very often you come across samples of golden, dark yellow, and light golden color. The difference in color is due to impurities of other minerals: copper, nickel, gold, cobalt.
What are both minerals?
Pyrite is translated from ancient Greek as “stone that strikes fire.” The mineral received this name due to its ability to produce sparks upon impact. There are also names such as sulfur or iron pyrite.
The main composition contains iron and sulfur. Additionally, cobalt, copper, gold, arsenic and others are found. It has a cubic crystal lattice. Most often found in nature in the form of solid masses with a granular structure. It has a Mohs hardness of about 6 and a density of 4.9-5.2 grams per cubic centimeter. It has a metallic luster and golden-brass color.
Today, pyrite is widely mined throughout the world. It is used to produce substances such as sulfur, sulfuric acid and ferrous sulfate. It is also used as an additive for the production of cement.
Native gold in nature is a solution of silver, which can contain up to 43%. The remaining elements are contained in the form of impurities, which are less than 1% in this metal; they include: iron, lead, copper, and more rarely mercury, platinum, and bismuth. There are varieties of native gold with a high content of copper - no more than 20%, bismuth - up to 4%, mercury and platinum group metals. It also has a crystalline structure in the form of complex crystals.
Common Varieties of Fool's Gold
Some of the most common varieties of pyrite are bravoite, chalcopyrite and marcasite.
- Bravoite - it contains a small proportion of nickel, which is why it has a pale golden color and a beautiful shiny surface. Bravoite also has a metallic sheen and sharp edges of regular shape. Due to the fact that the nickel content in bravoite reaches up to 20%, it is considered to be nickel ore.
- Chalcopyrite - also called copper pyrite, has a large proportion of copper in its composition. Its color is already brighter, sometimes even more reddish. It is not very common in industry as it is very fragile.
- Marcasite (or rainbow mineral) – it contains cobalt, thallium, and lead. Although it is fragile and short-lived, this mineral is highly prized by jewelers. Unlike pyrite, marcasite does not form large crystals; it appears as finely crystalline masses. The color of marcasite is very beautiful, iridescent. Due to its special structure, this mineral can be cast in all sorts of, almost any colors.
Healing properties of pyrite
It has long been believed that pyrite has a beneficial, healing effect on humans. Due to the strong energy that this mineral has, it can favorably influence the human biofield. Pyrite is even used to make talismans and amulets that help in the fight against depression and depression. It is especially recommended for: those who suffer from insomnia, pregnant and nursing mothers, people with venous diseases and problems with the circulatory system, those with weakened immunity, asthmatics, and for the prevention of colds.
With constant contact of pyrite with the skin, self-confidence and fortitude appear, it strengthens in making important decisions, relieves the mind of obsessive and dark thoughts, and restores calm and clarity of mind.
Magic properties
Practicing sorcerers and magicians claim that the stone is able to restore their energy after various magical rituals, and that in those who achieved harmony with pyrite, it awakened a desire for the high, spiritual. Such owners gained the ability for self-development, as he saved them from laziness, anxiety and doubt.
It is also believed that pyrite attracts cash flows and makes it easier to find new ways to make money, or even start your own business. Pyrite also has a beneficial effect on family relationships. He is able to bring romance back into relationships and help in family matters. Products made from pyrite protect the house from enemies and save the owner from danger.
But this stone will faithfully serve and help only people with pure thoughts. Pyrite does not like evil, vile and hypocritical people; it can begin to “harm” such people, and instead of having healing properties, it will act negatively.
Care
Due to increased fragility, pyrite jewelry should be kept separately from other products. They need to be protected from bumps and falls.
It is recommended to store the mineral in a dark place, since sunlight has a destructive effect on it.
There is no need to keep other stones next to it; it cannot stand the proximity of any gems, except serpentine and azurite, which go well with them in jewelry.
It is advisable to avoid contact with water on stone products. It must be cleaned of dirt using a dry method using microfiber cloths.
Who is pyrite best suited for?
Jewelry made from pyrite can be worn by almost everyone. It will have a good effect on the entire body. A man who wears pyrite products becomes confident in himself, and women begin to be attracted to him. But this stone is for those who like serious long-term relationships, and not for lovers of short-term hobbies. It’s also much easier for girls to find their man with the help of pyrite.
Mascot astrology
Each zodiac sign has stones that bring a certain meaning to a person’s life. For signs of the fire element, Leo, Aries and Sagittarius, it is pyrite. He helps them find their place in life, put their thoughts in order and their attitude towards the people around them. That is, for these signs it is more of a sedative than a source of energy.
For Cancers, it is better to choose another amulet. Pyrite can have too negative an impact on the emotional state and provoke hysterics in a person.
Astrologers also do not recommend wearing pyrite to all other zodiac signs. It is believed that they burn the karma of both others and their own. It can push a person to take a very serious, rash act.
The influence of pyrite on zodiac signs
Aries from envy and deception, improve things at work, and generally influence life in a positive way, making it more pleasant and brighter. It will help you overcome failures and begin to strive for self-improvement.
For Leos, the stone will help improve family life and renew passion between spouses. The Leo man will receive a boost of energy, and the woman will feel beautiful and desirable again.
For Sagittarius, the stone will help them find spiritual harmony, understand themselves, and find their right path in life.
For Taurus , the mineral will help channel their violent energy in the right direction, gain financial stability, and improve relationships with people. It will also help in finding your other half.
For Gemini, the stone will help them become more reasonable, increase their concentration, and be more collected.
Cancers are not recommended to wear items made of pyrite, since the stone conflicts with water signs and the energy of the stone is not suitable for them.
Fish . For men, pyrite will be magically useless, but for girls it will help them find a husband, find family happiness, and become more collected.
For Aquarius, the stone will be useless, but it will not do any harm.
for Virgos to wear pyrite all the time. It's better to just keep it at home, taking it out only occasionally.
For Capricorns, the mineral will help improve their financial and personal situation and unlock their potential.
Scorpio will be protected from damage and evil.
Libra is recommended to wear pyrite as an amulet constantly. He will protect them from rash decisions and protect them from danger.
Firestone magic
The Spartans (and they were raised for war) were confident in the magical power of pyrite amulets. They bestowed boundless courage, courage in battle, and protected from betrayal.
The magical properties of pyrite were previously used by alchemists. Now the magic of the Alpine diamond is held in high esteem by modern magicians and sorcerers.
But the stone will also help ordinary people become more self-confident and reveal leadership qualities. Your mood is at zero, you shy away from work - pyrite will help. It will lift your spirits, invigorate you and give you vitality. That's what esotericists say, in any case.
Pendant with pyrite
Nowadays, the pyrite talisman is a good talisman for firefighters and military personnel, emergency workers, and police officers.
Information for men: pyrite will provide you with victories on the love front.
The mineral is solitary by nature and cannot stand the proximity of other stones. Compatibility with other stones in jewelry (from the point of view of magical properties) is out of the question. The exception is serpentine and hematite.
A gold-like mineral attracts money to the home and to the owner of the jewelry.
Just don’t wear the jewelry for more than 3-5 days in a row - the powerful magic of the fire stone can harm a person.
Use of pyrite in industry
In industry, this mineral has received very wide application; it is used in a variety of fields. Sulfuric acid is obtained from it, pyrite cinders can be used as iron ore, added to concrete, chemical waste is purified from chlorine impurities, and sometimes gold, nickel, chromium, cobalt, silver, and copper are extracted from it.
Jewelers make a variety of jewelry from it. This stone is inserted into gold and silver, sometimes even in its raw form. And large rainbow pyrite stones with regular geometric shapes have real value for collectors and can be quite expensive.
Application: from cast iron to figurines
The importance of pyrite for industry (and therefore for our comfortable life) is great.
- For many years, the production of sulfuric acid was impossible without firestone.
- Pyrite consists of two elements - iron and sulfur. So they get iron and cast iron from it, Alpine diamond.
- Sulfur was also previously extracted from firestone. Nowadays it is mainly obtained as a by-product of oil and gas refining (a headache for oil workers is sulfurous oil).
- Sulfuric acid is also easy to obtain from pyrite by reacting it with oxygen.
- Oxidative roasting of iron disulfide - and you get iron sulfate. If you don’t know what it is, it means you’re not a summer resident, not a gardener, and you haven’t had iron deficiency anemia.
- Jewelers are trying to use the shine and resemblance to gold of this mineral.
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They tried to make watch cases, trinkets, umbrella handles, boxes, and figurines from “clown gold.” However, the capricious mineral in a humid climate quickly rusted, darkened, and lost its marketable appearance.
That’s when museum curators came up with the idea of boiling items made from “Inca gold” in paraffin or covering them with colorless varnish—the jewelry became safe to wear.
How to recognize a fake
Yes, despite its cheapness, “fool’s gold” is also counterfeited. And in the simplest way, ordinary paint is applied to plastic or glass. It is quite easy to recognize whether it is a fake or not. Look carefully at the light, pyrite is always opaque, or run your fingernail over the product, if a scratch is formed, it means that it is spraying, and you are being deceived.
It is also not difficult to distinguish pyrite from gold. Gold is softer and more pliable, has a streamlined shape, while pyrite, on the contrary, is hard, has sharp edges, and in appearance it is more like a crystal. Also, gold, unlike pyrite, does not enter into chemical reactions with most substances. And the shine of gold in the light is completely different from that of false gold, which loses its shine in the light.
