Pyrite. Commonly called "iron pyrites." Sometimes called "fool's gold."
(See Figure 74m.) A sulphide of iron which commonly crystallizes in
the isometric system mostly as cubes, twelve-faced pyritohedrons,
octahedrons, or combinations of these. Color, light brass-yellow, with
metallic luster. Cleavage, practically absent. Hardness, greater than
that of steel (over 6 in the scale); specific gravity, about 5. Leaves
greenish black streak when rubbed on rough porcelain. Differs from
chalcopyrite by paler color and much greater hardness. It is a common
and very widely disseminated mineral in rocks of all kinds and ages,
but especially in metamorphic rocks as veins, and banded or lenslike
deposits. Most igneous rocks contain small scattering grains of pyrite.
Many deposits of commercial value are known. Great quantities are
burned for the manufacture of sulphuric acid ("oil of vitriol") which
is one of the most important of all chemicals.
Pyroxene Group. Along with quartz and feldspars, the pyroxenes rank
among the most common of all minerals. (See Figure 74k.) Composition,
very similar to amphibole (see above). Pyroxenes crystallizing in the
monoclinic system are the most important. These crystals are prismatic
in habit, with prism faces making angles of nearly 45 or 90 degrees
instead of about 124 degrees as in the monoclinic amphiboles which
the monoclinic pyroxenes greatly resemble. Two fairly good prismatic
cleavages cross at an angle of nearly 90 degrees, instead of at
about 124 degrees as in the monoclinic amphiboles. Hardness, 5 to 6;
specific gravity, 3.2 to 3.6. Color, variable according to species.
The most common variety of pyroxene is _augite_, a dark-green to black
silicate of aluminum, iron, lime, and magnesia. Certain pyroxenes also
crystallize in the orthorhombic system. Pyroxene is most abundantly
represented as crystals in many kinds of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
It is practically useless except as one kind of _jade_.