Sulfur pyrite (aka pyrite) is the most common sulfide class mineral in the earth's crust. What is interesting about this stone? What are its physical properties? Is it used in any branches of modern industry?
Sulfur pyrite: formula and physical characteristics
This beautiful stone has enough nicknames: sulfur (or iron) pyrites, an alpine diamond, and gold of fools. In the world of science, it is called pyrite. It is an opaque mineral with a metallic sheen of a golden or straw color, with a hardness on the Mohs scale of 6-6.5. The chemical formula of sulfur pyrite is: FeS 2 . Impurities of copper, nickel, cobalt or gold are also often found in its structure.
By the way, in the years of the Gold Rush, naive seekers of noble metal often confused the subject of their persistent research with pyrite. Outwardly, it is very similar to native gold - it also shines beautifully and seductively in the sun. However, pyrites are more hard and less dense. Moreover, gold in nature never forms such crystalline forms as sulfur pyrite does.
"Pyrite" from the ancient Greek language is translated as "stone carving fire." The mineral really sparks when hit hard. This pebble was incredibly popular in medieval France. For the local nobility, jewelry, bracelets, shoe buckles and other useful and useless gizmos were made from it.
Mineral distribution in the earth's crust
The origin of deposits of sulfur pyrite is, as a rule, geothermal, less commonly sedimentary. Most often, the mineral is formed in the waters of the closed seas during the precipitation of iron by hydrogen sulfide. Sometimes its inclusion can be found in igneous rocks.
In sedimentary rocks, pyrite quite often replaces the remains of dead plants and even animals. This is how unusual fossils are formed - shells, branches, fragments of bark, etc. An extraordinarily interesting but creepy find was discovered in Sweden at the end of the 18th century: they found a miner who died 60 years ago, whose body was almost completely replaced by pyrite.
Pyrite deposits are located almost everywhere in the world. The most famous of them are in Kazakhstan, Russia, Italy, USA, Canada and Norway. As a rule, this mineral is extracted from the bowels of the earth along the way, in the process of mining other, more valuable minerals.
A non-jewelry grade pyrite nugget weighing 1 kg costs about $ 30 on the market. But for a processed piece of a mineral of the same weight, you will have to pay 3-4 times more money.
The use of sulfur pyrite in industry
Today, pyrite is widely used in jewelry for the manufacture of a variety of inserts and jewelry items. In combination with some other minerals, it is used in the manufacture of detector radios. Once pyrite was also involved in arms production, due to its "sparkle".
Sulfuric acid (the so-called contact method) is also obtained from pyrites. For this, mineral raw materials are crushed and purified by flotation. Next, flotation (purified) pyrites are placed in a kiln for roasting, and then in a special absorption tower, where sulfur oxide (SO 3 ) in combination with water gives sulfuric acid. The resulting waste (pyrite cinder) is used for the production of building concrete.
The magical properties of stone
Man from the most ancient times saw in stones something more than just earthly firmament. So, for example, pyrite has always been considered a "male" mineral. Ancient Greek warriors took him with them on campaigns and battles. It was believed that in battle this pebble is able to prevent the brazen death of a soldier.
The modern magical significance of pyrite has not changed. It is often used as an amulet-amulet or a protective talisman. The stone is able to improve a person’s mood, strengthen his sleep and drive out depression. True, for the proper fulfillment of its magical "duties", the mineral must be ideal - without chips and cracks.
Sulfur pyrite is a firestone. Therefore, it is most suitable for the corresponding signs of the zodiac - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. But Rakov does not really like pyrite. The stone does not get along well with other minerals. An exception can only be hematite and a coil - pyrite will make friends with these stones.
The healing properties of stone
People who are skeptical of “stone magic” may find it interesting to read about the healing properties of pyrites. By the way, there are a lot of them:
- the mineral has hemostatic properties and relieves joint pain;
- stone favorably affects the human nervous system, improves sleep, relieves phobias and obsessive states;
- pyrite improves mood and helps restore wasted vitality;
- mineral well affects the overall performance of a person.
In the old days sulfur pyrite was used in the fight against freckles. In addition, with its help it is possible to facilitate the birth process for a woman. For this, the stone must be tied to the leg of the woman in labor.