Pyrite is one of the most widely used and distributed sulfide minerals. The name pyrite comes from the Greek word pyr meaning fire, because pyrite actually emits sparks when it's struck by iron. In fact, it has been used to start fires since prehistoric times. Pyrite has also been used in jewelry for thousands of years. Examples of this jewelry from the ancient times of the Greeks, Romans and Incas have been found. Pyrite was, and still is, an ornamental material. Ancient Greeks polished it to make pins, earrings and amulets. It was also popular in Victorian Britain. Pyrite is highly reflective so the Incas used pyrite tablets as mirrors. Although lighter than gold, prospectors used to mistake pyrite for gold, earning it the synonym, fools gold.
Today, most of the pyrite we find is used for costume jewelry and is usually fashioned into cabochons. Pyrite corresponds with any of the three fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Pyrite rates only a 6 to 6.5 on the hardness scale; making it a fairly brittle stone therefore careful cutting is absolutely essential. Pyrite is a brassy yellow or pale gold opaque stone with a metallic luster and tones of yellow, brown, and grey. Small pyrite stones have sometimes been given a flattened circular rose cut with only three polished facets on top. They are generally set in white metal for obvious reasons of contrast, and are sometimes merely glued, rather than set, onto their supports. They are often found on necklace clasps and old-fashioned inexpensive brooches. When found in their raw state, pyrite crystals can be shaped as cubes, octahedrons, and pyritohedrons, which have 12 faces. Most collectors tend to like a flattened nodular variety of pyrite called pyrite suns or pyrite dollars.
Throughout history, pyrite has been believed to have various healings powers. North American Indians believe the magic powers of pyrite is attested by their presence in the outfit of objects which the medicine men use in their incantations. Pyrite supposedly has the power to aid its wearer in cleansing the oxygen within the circulatory system, which is good for the entire cardiovascular system. It has also been said to be a useful stone for those born with cognitive disorders or learning disabilities. Pyrite is also believed to stabilize one's energy level. It also calms, supposedly aids prosperity, uplifts, and grounds at the same time.
Pyrite is present in igneous rocks as an accessory mineral, in sedimentary rocks and in metamorphic rocks. Pyrite can be found well crystallized; either isolated, or in small, often well formed groups. Among the richest deposits of pyrite are those at Rio Tinto, Spain. Large crystals also exist on the island Elba, Italy, and high quality specimens are found near Freiberg Germany. Pyrite is mined in many of the United States including Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania. Pyrite is also found in Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Russia, Japan, and Peru. Pyritized fossils have also been found worldwide.
