Guide
Pyrite specimens for sale
839 for sale · $35–$15,000 USD
2,356 in the gallery
Pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral known for its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow color that often resembles gold. It typically forms cubic, pyritohedral, or octahedral crystals and occurs in a variety of habits, including nodular masses and disseminated grains in sedimentary, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments. When fresh, it has a brilliant, metallic lustre, though tarnish can dull the surface to darker hues.
- Formula
- FeS2
- Rarity
- Abundant
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- High Interest
- Classification notes
- Sulfide; pyrite group
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- isometric
- Mohs hardness
- 6–6.5
- Specific gravity
- 4.9–5.2
- Luster
- metallic
- Transparency
- opaque
- Color
- yellow, gray, black
- Streak
- black, brown, green
- Cleavage
- poor
- Fracture
- conchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- cubic, octahedral, dodecahedral, prismatic, radiating, druzy, granular, massive, equant
- Classic / historic
Buy Pyrite specimens
View all 839Where Pyrite is found
Top localities
- Huanzala Mine128 specimens
- Eagle Mine65 specimens
- Navajún50 specimens
- Panasqueira Mines48 specimens
- Rio Marina36 specimens
- Naica32 specimens
- Milpo mine29 specimens
- Sweet Home Mine28 specimens
- Yaogangxian Mine28 specimens
- Trepča Stari Trg Mine25 specimens
Guides
All guides
Guide
Pyrite from Sparta, USA
Sparta pyrite, Illinois - renowned sunburst disks from Pennsylvanian shales; multi-inch, display-quality radiating crystals, prized for locality and size.Read guide
Guide
Pyrite from Navajn, Spain
Navajún pyrite, La Rioja, Spain - iconic cubic crystals with sharp edges and mirror-bright luster from marlstone; prized for geometry and the famed locality.Read guide
Guide
Pyrite from Huanzala Mine, Peru
Huanzala Mine, Peru - premier pyrite locality, producing bright brass crystals in cubes and pyritohedrons; abundant yet sculptural pieces prized by collectors.Read guideAbout Pyrite
Notable specimens come from oxidized zones and hydrothermal veins around the world, with frequent finds in the United States, Peru, China, Mexico, and Kosovo. Collectors prize well-formed crystals, especially hollow, pyritohedral shapes and clusters that reveal sharp edges and geometric faces. Pyrite is common and affordable, making it a frequent starter for crystallography enthusiasts, yet exceptional specimens with pristine facets and crystallographic detail remain sought after. Its abundance in many rock types means good material can occur in a range of localities, enabling diverse collecting opportunities.
