A pyrite cube is prized for its naturally sharp, geometric crystal faces, typically found in a clay or sedimentary host. It is easily identified by an intense brass-yellow metallic luster and a hardness far greater than soft gold. Look for matrix specimens from Spanish localities, known for exceptional structural perfection.
Is this pyrite cube?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch pyrite cube with a known reference. Pyrite Cube sits at Mohs 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pyrite Cube leaves a greenish-black to brownish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pyrite Cube typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass-yellow, gold.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: perfect cubes, pyritohedrons, octahedrons.
Often confused with
Pyrite Cube vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrite Cube is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Pyrite Cube leaves greenish-black to brownish-black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Pyrite Cube is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Pyrite Cube leaves greenish-black to brownish-black, Gold leaves golden yellow.
Often found alongside pyrite cube
Minerals reported to co-occur with pyrite cube. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 4.8-5.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish-black to Brownish-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Perfect Cubes, Pyritohedrons, Octahedrons
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Rocks, Hydrothermal Veins, Metamorphic Rocks
Where rockhounds find pyrite cube
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Navajún, Spain
- Logroño, Spain
- Peru
- Vermont, USA
- Elba, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins, metamorphic rocks country, the host setting where pyrite cube typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a perfect cubes, pyritohedrons, octahedrons habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find pyrite cube on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
