Pyrite By Cara Chae-Banks And Ian Gevanthor

Distiguishing Characteristics Color: Yellowish gray (often mistaken for gold) Class: Sulfides Luster: Metallic Cleavage: Very distinct Streak: Greenish-black Hardness: 6-6.5(can not scratch)

Elements in Pyrite? Combination of Sulfur and Iron

Where is it found? All over the world Mostly in Peru, Spain, Russian, Sweden, South Africa, also in the United States.

How is it Mined and Processed? Mined underground Can be dangerous to mine because it can turn into sulfuric acid Can be seen in rivers,lakes,etc.

How much is pyrite Pyrite is fools gold but its still worth $1 per pound.

Uses in the 16th and 17th centuries as a source of ignition in early firearms, most notably the wheellock, where the cock held a lump of pyrite against a circular file to strike the sparks needed to fire the gun.ignitionfirearmswheellock

Special properites Can be struck in a way that creates sparks that can light fires.

Difference between mineral and gem The difference between gemstones and the rest of the minerals is that gemstones are crystalline forms of minerals. If you look at the microscopic view of a gemstone's or any crystal's structure, you will see that it is a unique, organized structure. Not all minerals have this structure.

Birthstone Ians birthstone is topaz Caras birthstone is topaz