pyrite

Everyday

A shiny, pale gold-coloured mineral made of iron and sulphur, often called fool's gold because people mistook it for real gold. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about rocks and minerals, pyrite shows that looks can trick you: it is harder and more brittle than gold, and it often forms cubes. In history, gold rush miners were fooled by it. Phrases: fool's gold, iron pyrite.

Examples

• Pyrite is called fool's gold. tree →
• The miner shouted with joy, but it was only pyrite. tree →
• Pyrite often grows in little cubes. tree →
• Real gold is soft, but pyrite is hard and brittle. tree →
• Pyrite makes sparks if you strike it with steel. tree →
• We found a shiny pyrite crystal at the rock shop. tree →

Note

Uncountable as a mineral. Also called iron pyrites. Test: rubbed on rough tile, pyrite leaves a greenish-black streak, while gold leaves a gold streak.