Pyrite

Info: This well-known mineral, known even to the ancient greeks, often forms beautifull cubical crystals.

How to Recognize: Pyrite is very simillar to gold, but it is harder than gold. In places with moisture releases sulfur acid and transforms to a red-brown limonite and white sulfites. Pyrite dust burns with strong flame and emits poisonous sulphure dioxide.

Found: Famous deposits of pyrite were found in Italy, Spain, Greece, Norway, Sweden, USA and South Africa. In Czech Republic pyrite is found in Železné hory (Chvaletice, Lukavičky u Chrudimě), in Plzeň, Příbram, Kutná Hora and other.

Used for: Mainly pyrite is used for extraction of sulfur and sulfur acid. The iron leftowers from the extraction are used for extraction of iron.