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pyrite
pyrite or iron pyrites , pale brass-yellow mineral, the bisulfide of iron, FeS 2 . It occurs most commonly in crystals (belonging to the isometric system and usually in the form of cubes and pyritohedrons) but is also found in massive, granular, and stalactite form. In spite of its nickname, "fool's gold," it often is associated with true gold; auriferous pyrite is a commercially important source of gold. Other metals that sometimes replace a part of the iron are cobalt, nickel, arsenic, and copper. The most common sulfide mineral, pyrite is widely distributed in rocks of all ages and types. Its chief use is as a source of sulfur in the manufacture of sulfuric acid. The term pyrites is applied to any of a number of metallic sulfides that strike fire with steel. Some minerals resembling pyrite in appearance or composition are arsenopyrite , chalcopyrite (copper pyrites), cobaltite , marcasite (white iron pyrites or spear pyrites), and pyrrhotite (magnetic pyrites). |
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"pyrite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pyrite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pyrite.html "pyrite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pyrite.html |
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pyrite
pyrite (fool's gold) Sulphide mineral, FeS2; sp. gr. 4.9–5.2; hardness 6.0–6.5; cubic; pale brass-yellow, does not tarnish; greenish-black streak; metallic lustre; crystals cubic, pyritohedra (pentagonal dodecahedra), octahedra, or combinations of the two; cleavage poor basal hardness; occurs with other sulphide ores genetically associated with basic and ultrabasic rocks, and together with pyrrhotine and chalcopyrite; very widely distributed in a great variety of environments, and found in igneous rocks as an accessory mineral, in sedimentary rocks (especially black shales), as nodules in metamorphic rocks, and common in hydrothermal veins, in replacement deposits, and contact metamorphic rocks; alters to iron sulphate and limonite. It was formerly used widely for the production of sulphuric acid. Compare MARCASITE.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "pyrite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "pyrite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-pyrite.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "pyrite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-pyrite.html |
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pyrite
py·rite / ˈpīˌrīt/ (also py·ri·tes / pəˈrītēz; pī-/ ) • n. a shiny yellow mineral consisting of iron disulfide and typically occurring as intersecting cubic crystals; compare with marcasite. Also called fool's gold. DERIVATIVES: py·rit·ic / pīˈritik; pə-/ adj. py·rit·i·za·tion / pəˌrītəˈzāshən; pī-/ n. py·ri·tize / ˈpīrītˌīz/ v. py·ri·tous / pəˈrītəs; pī-/ adj. |
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"pyrite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pyrite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pyrite.html "pyrite." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pyrite.html |
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pyrite
pyrite (fool's gold) Widespread sulphide mineral, iron sulphide (FeS2), occurring in all types of rocks and veins. It is a brass-yellow colour. It crystallizes as cubes and octahedra, and also as granules and globular masses. It is opaque, metallic, and brittle. Hardness 6.5; r.d. 5.0.
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"pyrite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pyrite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pyrite.html "pyrite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pyrite.html |
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pyrite
pyrite •Hamite, samite
•marmite • Semite • Vegemite
•eremite • Hashemite • Fatimite
•chromite • Edomite • sodomite
•stalagmite • Elamite • dolomite
•Adullamite • dynamite • catamite
•Benthamite
•termite, thermite
•Samnite • sennight • midnight
•lignite • selenite • gelignite
•kaolinite • Leninite
•finite, transfinite
•watchnight • fortnight • Sunnite
•exurbanite, suburbanite, urbanite
•manganite • ammonite • Mennonite
•Canaanite • Maronite • bentonite
•Irvingite • respite • alexandrite
•Arkwright • cartwright • nephrite
•playwright • wainwright
•wheelwright • millwright
•shipwright • copyright • Nazirite
•pyrite • eyebright • nitrite • contrite
•chlorite • forthright • downright
•Fulbright • upright • meteorite
•diorite • fluorite
•Labourite (US Laborite) • sybarite
•Thatcherite • phosphorite • azurite
•anchorite • Hitlerite • dolerite
•Amorite • Minorite • laterite
•Hutterite • birthright
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"pyrite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pyrite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pyrite.html "pyrite." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pyrite.html |
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