Description
Pyrite is a brass-yellow mineral with a bright metallic lustre and is the most common sulfide mineral. It forms at high and low temperatures and occurs, usually in small quantities, in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks worldwide.
The name ‘pyrite’ is after the Greek 'pyr' meaning ‘fire.’ This name was given because pyrite can be used to create the sparks needed for starting a fire if it is struck against metal or another hard material. Pieces of pyrite have also been used as a spark-producing material in flintlock firearms.
Pyrite has a nickname that has become famous - 'Fool's Gold. The mineral's gold colour, metallic lustre and high specific gravity often cause it to be mistaken for gold by inexperienced prospectors. However, pyrite is often associated with gold. The two minerals often form together, and in some deposits pyrite contains enough gold to warrant mining.
Source