Pyrite

Other names:

Marcasite (a mistaken identity!), or Fool's Gold.

Appearance:

Opaque brass-yellow or greyish-yellow

Common confusions......

Although it is unlikely, it could possibly be confused with Gold, or chalcopyrite.

Esoteric beliefs and associations...

Under orange, red or yellow lighting, it can have a strengthening effect on intellectual, study and psychic skills (including divination). This applies to real Gold also.

Other useful information...

Pyrite's name comes from the Greek for 'fire' because it produces sparks when bashed.

Physical properties...

Chemistry	Iron sulphide (or Iron disulphide)
System/Structure	Isometric (cubes, octahedra, pentagonal dodecahedra)
Refractive Index	1.810 +
Specific Gravity	5.00 - 5.20
Mohs' Hardness	6.0 - 6.5