Pyrite

Pyrite (PIE-rite), also known as iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide mineral with a brassy yellow color and a metallic luster. Some people refer to it as fool’s gold due to its resemblance to gold. It is quite a heavy stone and is the most common of the sulfide minerals. It gets its name from the Greek pyrites, meaning “of fire” or “in fire”, because it would make sparks when struck against steel.

Pyrite is a common replacement mineral in fossils, meaning that there are many fossils where the original material is replaced with pyrite. It can also occur within other stones, such as lapis lazuli.

It has a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5 and an isometric crystal structure.

Location: Pyrite can be found in numerous locations throughout the world. Some of the more notable ones include Bolivia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Romania, Sweden, Tanzania, and the United States.  Spain is also famous for its source of perfectly cubic pyrite crystals.

Properties: Pyrite helps overcome bad habits and establish healthier ones. It activates the solar plexus chakra, which is where willpower and self-concept are centered. This activation contributes to its ability to help restructure patterns, as such patterns are commonly connected to poor self-control or low self-esteem. Pyrite instills a feeling of being highly capable and heightens courage, making it easier to eliminate sources of negativity from both internal and external sources. It also carries protective energies of its own. Pyrite can also be an excellent manifestation stone, as it helps to bring ideas and inspirations fully into the physical plane — especially those gained through meditation. Pyrite heightens yang, or masculine, energy; this means that it boosts assertiveness, confidence, and initiative. Though this is considered more masculine, it certainly can benefit both genders.

Some people believe that pyrite can be used to help treat infection and lung problems, improve endocrine function, combat erectile dysfunction, lessen fevers, and reduce inflammation.