Sulfur pyrite (aka pyrite) is the most common sulfide 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?
Pyrite: formula and physical characteristics
This beautiful stone has plenty of nicknames: sulfur (or iron) pyrite, alpine diamond, fools' gold. In the world of science, it is called pyrite. This is an opaque mineral with a metallic luster of golden or straw color, with a hardness on the Mohs scale of 6-6, 5. The chemical formula of sulfur pyrite: FeS2. Its structure also often contains impurities of copper, nickel, cob alt or gold.
By the way, in the years of the Gold Rush, naive seekers of the noble metal often confused the object of their persistent research with pyrite. Outwardly, it is very similar to native gold - it glitters just as beautifully and seductively in the sun. However, pyrite is characterized by greater hardness and lower density. In addition, gold in nature never forms suchcrystalline forms, as does sulfur pyrite.
"Pyrite" from the ancient Greek language is translated as "a stone that strikes fire." The mineral really sparkles under strong impacts. This stone was incredibly popular in medieval France. For the local nobility, jewelry, bracelets, shoe buckles and other useful and useless gizmos were made from it.
Distribution of the mineral in the earth's crust
The origin of sulfur pyrite deposits is usually geothermal, less often sedimentary. Most often, the mineral is formed in the waters of closed seas during the precipitation of iron by hydrogen sulfide. Sometimes its inclusions can also 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 unusually interesting, but terrible find was discovered in Sweden at the end of the 18th century: a miner who died 60 years ago was found there, whose body was almost completely replaced by pyrite.
Pyrite deposits are located almost everywhere on the globe. 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-gem-quality 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.
Use of sulfur pyrite in industry
Today, pyrite is widely used in jewelry to make a variety of inserts and jewelry details. In combination with some other minerals, it is used in the production of detector radios. Once upon a time, pyrite was also used in weapons production, due to its "sparkle".
Sulfuric acid is also obtained from pyrites (the so-called contact method). To do this, the mineral raw materials are crushed and cleaned by flotation. Next, flotation (cleaned) pyrite is placed in a kiln for roasting, and then in a special absorption tower, where sulfur oxide (SO3) in combination with water gives sulfuric acid. Wastes obtained from this process (pyrite cinders) are used for the production of structural concrete.
The magical properties of the stone
Man from the most ancient times saw in the stones something more than just the earth's firmament. For example, pyrite has always been considered a "male" mineral. Ancient Greek warriors took it with them on campaigns and battles. It was believed that in battle this pebble was able to prevent the impudent death of a soldier.
The modern magical value of pyrite has not changed much. It is often used as an amulet or protective talisman. The stone is able to improve a person’s mood, strengthen his sleep and drive out depression. True, for the proper performance of its magical "duties" the mineral must be perfect - without chips and cracks.
Sulfur pyrite is a fiery stone. Therefore, it is most suitable for the corresponding signs of the zodiac - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. But Rakov does not like pyrite very much. The stone does not get along well in the neighborhood with other minerals. The only exceptions can be hematite and serpentine - pyrite will make friends with these stones.
Healing properties of the stone
People who are skeptical about "stone magic" may be interested in reading about the healing properties of pyrites. By the way, there are a lot of them:
- mineral has hemostatic properties and relieves joint pain;
- stone has a positive effect on the human nervous system, improves sleep, relieves phobias and obsessive-compulsive states;
- pyrite improves mood and helps restore wasted vitality;
- mineral has a good effect on the overall performance of a person.
In the old days, pyrite was used in the fight against freckles. In addition, it can be used to facilitate the process of childbirth for a woman. To do this, the stone must be tied to the leg of the woman in labor.
