Pyrite is a chemical mineral that is popularly called "fools gold." The thing is that in its external characteristics this stone is like real gold. However, this is not the only hallmark of pyrite. For example, it is known that sparks can be carved with this stone. What other features does this stone hide in itself, how is it used and to whom does it suit, read more about this in our material.
Description
According to its natural characteristics, pyrite belongs to rocks. The main components of the mineral are iron and sulfur, but impurities such as cobalt, arsenic, and so on are also present in the composition of the stone. Due to its physical properties, pyrite is quite strong and heavy. It has the functions of a conductor. Outwardly, pyrite looks like gold - the crystal lattice of the stone provides metallic luster. The chemical properties of the stone belong to the hydrophobic group. This means that the stone does not tolerate contact with water.
Pyrite is of great importance for the jewelry and industrial industries. It has magical and healing properties.
Origin history
If we literally decode and translate the word "pyrite", then in Russian we will get the phrase "carving fire." Thus, the name of the stone reveals some of its features: if you hit a gem with sufficient strength and at the right angle, you can get a strong spark. The unusual properties of the mineral were known in the Stone Age and were widely used by people of that period.In nature, stone was distributed in Central and South America - it was there in the XVI century that one could find real deposits of this material.
In addition, by this time, flint stocks were depleted in Europe. That is why the conquistadors went to distant lands to conquer rich lands and subjugate the people. However, at that time it was believed that pyrite was not pyrite at all, and they tried to earn real Native American gold. They confused pyrite with gold during the Gold Rush. It was in connection with such embarrassments that the stone got its popular name - “gold of fools”.
In the XVII century, pyrite became a popular stone among jewelers and fell in love with many professional masters. Pyrite set off the beauty and brilliance of diamonds in jewelry, and was also the stone from which individual independent jewelry masterpieces were made. During the Napoleonic Wars, the stone became a real symbol of patriotism and sacrificial love for the homeland. The fact is that in difficult times for the country, women donated their gold and other jewelry to the needs of the army. In return, they received pyrite, which was a kind of lost jewelry.
In the twentieth century, pyrite became the material from which various golden inserts began to be created. It must be said that the popularity of stone does not fade to this day. Pyrite combines several important characteristics: it is aesthetically attractive, but at the same time quite inexpensive.
That is why jewelry from pyrite can allow women belonging to the most diverse social sectors of society.
Place of Birth
In nature, it is quite easy to find a natural mineral, because on our planet there are quite a lot of its deposits. However, it is important that not all pyrite is valuable, since not all subspecies of stone have precious jewelry properties. Those copies that are valued more than others can be found in Scandinavia, Azerbaijan, the United States of America and Italy. Valuable pyrite is hidden in the bowels of the land of our country. So, in the vastness of Russia pyrite is mined in the Urals.
If we talk about the geographical location of the stone deposits, it should be noted that most often it is found in those areas where hot springs are located. Often pyrite is adjacent to gold or sulfur. Thanks to this neighborhood, the stone received several more names: gold pyrite and sulfur pyrite. Pyrite is also found in the process of developing quartz veins.
It is important to note that the "gold of fools" can be found not only in nature. Pyrite is a by-product of the process of smelting copper from ore.
Kinds
Despite the fact that pyrite is a rather unique stone by its nature, there are several minerals whose physical and chemical composition resembles “fools gold”. In addition, these stones can be confused by color. Let us consider in more detail the features of the "brothers" of pyrite.
- Marcasite. This stone differs from pyrite in the structure of the internal chemical crystal lattice. However, even though its shape is changed, the basic properties of the mineral remain the same.
- Bravoite. This is a chemical mineral, the composition of which is saturated not only with sulfur and iron, but also with nickel (it contains about 20% of the total volume of the stone). This mineral can be found in the veins of nickel ores.
Magical and healing properties
It is believed that pyrite is a stone that has a huge amount of positive properties. Among the whole variety of characteristics of the material, two large groups of features are distinguished: magical and healing. It is worth getting to know each of these groups more closely.
Magical
The fact that the pyrite has certain supernatural characteristics has been known since ancient times.So, first of all, the mineral is used as a source of strength - witches, magicians and sorcerers, after performing their magic rituals, use the stone to raise and restore their energy level. In addition, it is believed that the stone is able to benefit its owner. However, the positive properties of pyrite will begin to appear only when the owner of the stone enters in relation to harmony with the mineral. In this case, the desire for the spiritual will also manifest itself, the laziness, doubts and anxieties will disappear, and the process of self-development will also be activated.
Pyrite can have a special effect on representatives of the strong half of humanity. Pyrite fire will give men inner strength and confidence, make a young man more attractive to the opposite sex. Pyrite can also help women - the owner of an unusual stone will be able to find her soul mate. However, such properties of the stone apply only to those people who have serious intentions and plan a long and strong relationship. Pyrite will help not only in love, but also in business - it will attract finance, help find new sources of income and open a business.
Medical
A valuable pyrite stone, due to its internal characteristics, is able to influence the human biofield. That is why it is believed that the mineral has healing properties - because it is able to have healing and healing effects on the person who wears it. For example, pyrite can help with a wide range of diseases. These include the following:
- depression;
- neurosis;
- obsessive states;
- insomnia and malfunction of the biological clock;
- infectious diseases;
- flu;
- heart disease
- vascular and blood diseases;
- thrombosis;
- heart attacks;
- asthma;
- lung diseases
- violation of the bronchi;
- sexual dysfunction.
Who is it for?
For women and men who are fond of astrology, it is important to consider your zodiac sign before purchasing a pyrite jewelry. So, this stone is associated with the sun, so those zodiac signs that are summer (namely: twins, crayfish, lions and virgins) can use the “fools gold” as a talisman. He will help them to achieve heights in the professional field, to reveal their inner strengths, as well as find true love. Pyramids will help ramparts and archers to find inner balance and tranquility; for capricorns, the crystal will give purposefulness and decisiveness; it will help to achieve goals and achieve the desired heights.
Aquarius with the help of pyrite will gain strength to make the changes being made, and scales, wearing jewelry made of pyrites, will be able to avoid temptations and become more reasonable.
How to distinguish from fake and other stones?
Today in the jewelry market you can find a huge variety of jewelry made from pyrite. Moreover, such jewelry is offered not only by well-known and elite jewelry stores, but also ordinary sellers in the market. Due to the high prevalence of the mineral, many unscrupulous merchants are trying to pass off other less valuable stones as pyrite. Let's figure out how to distinguish natural pyrite from a fake.
Many scammers try to pass off ordinary plastic as pyrite. They cut out pieces of cheap material, apply gold pollination to them and sell them at the price of gold. In order not to become a victim of such a fraud, the buyer only needs to look at the gleam of the stone. Real pyrite is not transparent. In addition, natural stone cannot be scratched with improvised means, since it is quite hard and durable. If the goods offered by the seller do not meet the described characteristics, then be sure that they are trying to sell you a fake, and rather low-quality one.
Important! The stone has external features that are similar to gold, but it is unlikely that you will try to sell gold under the guise of pyrite, because a noble metal is much more expensive than pyrite.
Application
Pyrite is a mineral that is widely used in jewelry. Moreover, precious jewelry is most often made of those stones that were mined in Italy - they are considered the most valuable, beautiful and large. Pyrite can act as an independent mineral in jewelry, but it is also often combined with other stones. Less valuable copies of pyrites are used for the manufacture of accessories for clothes and other wardrobe items: cufflinks, buttons and so on. In addition to fine jewelry work, “fools gold” is often subjected to more severe impact. So, stone is used in industry for the extraction of iron ore and sulfur.
The magical properties of the stone attract psychics, magicians and witches from around the globe. That is why various amulets and talismans are made of pyrite.
Care
If you are a happy owner of pyrite jewelry or plan to purchase it (for yourself or as a gift), it is important to remember that such a jewel needs especially careful care. It is worth considering that although the mineral is quite solid, the combination of physical and chemical properties of the stone also ensures its fragility and brittleness. Especially delicately you need to handle pyrite rings - most often it is such jewelry that is subject to various kinds of destruction.
So, it should be borne in mind that pyrite is very sensitive to environmental conditions: it does not tolerate moisture, high temperature, as well as mechanical shock. To preserve the appearance of the stone for as long as possible, such effects should be avoided. However, even in the case of careful socks and careful care, a jewelry made of pyrite will not last you long.
Pyrite has a so-called shelf life. So, after 5-6 years of constant wear, the jewelry will begin to fade and lose its unique shade.
In the next video you will find a story about the healing and energy properties of pyrite.