Pyrite Rough Mineral
A wonderfully unique and distinctive raw piece of pyrite.
This piece, which came from South Africa, features tiny cube-shaped crystals. Isometric or cube-shaped crystals are one of the simplest and most common shapes found in crystals and minerals.
The name 'pyrite' originates from the Greek 'pyritēs lithos,' which loosely translated means 'stone or mineral which strikes fire.' When struck against a hard stone or steel, tiny pieces of pyrite break away and react with oxygen to produce sparks. From these sparks, early humans produced fire.
Pyrite is a chemical compound of iron and sulphur. Although it contains iron, it's not used as an ore because the iron is too difficult to extract.
