What is 'Fools gold' and the Fools gold is another name for which mineral?

billa's picture
Submitted by billa on Thu, 07/30/2009 - 09:49.

Do you know about Fools gold and please give me some information about it.Where can we find this Fools gold? What are the uses of Fools gold?

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liberia88's picture
Fool's Gold
Sat, 08/08/2009 - 23:56 — liberia88

From Wikipedia:

The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide with the formula FeS2. This mineral's metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold due to its resemblance to gold. Pyrite is the most common of the sulfide minerals. The name pyrite is derived from the Greek πυρίτης (puritēs), “of fire” or "in fire”, from πύρ (pur), “fire”. This name is likely due to the sparks that result when pyrite is struck against steel or flint. This property made pyrite popular for use in early firearms such as the wheellock.

In the Carlin, Nevada gold deposit, arsenian pyrite contains up to 0.37 wt% gold.[4] Auriferous pyrite is a valuable ore of gold.

It is found in abundance wherever companies mine for gold and silver, as the sulfur component causes the acid pollution that is associated with this type of mining. Many mines are found in the Rocky Mountains from Colorado to California in the USA.

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