Pyrites

pi-ri'tez, a common mineral consisting of one atom of iron to two atoms of sulphur. It is brass-yellow in color. When rubbed like a pencil, it makes a greenish-black streak. From its appearance it is called fool's gold. The early explorers of Virginia took home shiploads of iron pyrites under the impression that they were carrying gold. When roasted it gives off a smell of sulphur. This is the miner's test. Owing to the presence of sulphur, pyrites is used largely in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. It is obtained in commercial quantities in various localities from Maine to Georgia. It abounds in the Rocky Mountain region. Old World supplies are found at Rio Tinto in Spain, Avoca, Ireland, and elsewhere. Sometimes the mineral occurs in the form of beautiful crystals. Fine specimens are found in the Isle of Elba; Cornwall, England; Peru; Chester County, Pennsylvania; and Central City, Colorado. Nodules of pyrites, found in the chalk beds of western Europe, were employed instead of flint. The French called it the musket stone. The term pyrites is a Greek word, meaning fire. Bits found in prehistoric dwellings indicate that primitive men used it to produce fire. The old saying, "as worthless as fool's gold," hardly holds true. Several million dollars' worth are mined annually for the sake of the sulphuric acid obtained. The name pyrites is applied also to compounds of sulphur with copper, cobalt, nickel, and arsenic.