Fool's gold – the structure of Pyrite

What does it look like?

Image generated by the VESTA (Visualisation for Electronic and STructual analysis) software http://jp-minerals.org/vesta/en/

What is it?

Image of a collection of pyrite crystals from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain, by J. J. Harison

Pyrite is a mineral formed of Iron Sulfide (FeS₂) and forms into beautiful cubic crystals with a very metallic and brassy look. This look (and the fact that pyrite forms in similar places to where you find gold) has fooled many over the years that this material was worth more than it is (hence its nickname Fool's gold). Despite this deception, pyrite is a pretty useful material itself and is currently used within some batteries and has been suggested as a cheap component for photovoltaic (solar) cells.

Where did the structure come from?

This is structure #5000115 from the Crystallography Open Database.

Tags: fool's gold   iron sulfide   pyrite   mineral