Large Cube-Shaped Pyrite Crystal
Natural pyrite cube-shaped crystal (number 2, in the centre, is the only piece now available).
Isometric or cube-shaped crystals are one of the simplest and most common shapes found in crystals and minerals.
Pyrite is also known as fool's gold, which some claim came about because, during the Great American Gold Rush, prospectors mistook pieces of pyrite for gold. While this may be true, I can't find any factual evidence to support it.
There are several distinctive differences between gold and pyrite. The most obvious (visually) is that pyrite is not as yellow. When these two minerals are placed side by side, it's quite easy to tell one from the other.
Gold is also much softer than pyrite and malleable. Malleable means that it can be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking.
Despite pyrite being much harder, it's also brittle.
These pyrite crystals have a metallic lustre, so each face reflects light beautifully. Unfortunately, it cannot be fully appreciated in our photos, particularly in the crystal on the left.
Prehnite
