Chlorite Pyrite

Specimen Summary

2x oxidized pyrite cubes

New Westminster, British Columbia

Pyrite is a common iron sulphide mineral found in many different geological settings. It has a brassy-yellow metallic colour that has caused many people to mistake it for gold, giving it its other name, “Fool’s gold”. Pyrite and gold can be quite easily distinguished from one another: pyrite is less yellow and much lighter and harder than gold, which can be scratched with a pocket knife.  Pyrite often forms perfect cubes, which can grow to quite large sizes, because of its crystal structure. The word pyrite comes from the Greek word ‘pyr’ meaning fire, because it will spark if hit with other metal or stone objects.

Chlorite is a common green mineral that is also found in various geological settings. It often forms as an alteration or secondary mineral, as it replaces other minerals when a rock is exposed to changes in temperature, pressure or water chemistry. Chlorite can occur in several different forms, as tabular crystals or thin flakes or scales like mica, and can be easily scratched with a fingernail.

This sample of two rusted cubes of pyrite is from New Westminster in the Lower Mainland. These large cubes of pyrite have been exposed to oxygen and are beginning to oxidize, or rust. The pyrite is surrounded by platy green crystals of chlorite.

Specimen Data

 

The information listed below relates to the current holding location or collection that the sample is from, and whether the item is viewable at that location or is part of a private collection. Coordinates are given as guides, and we remind you that collecting specimens from these locations is not allowed. Caution is advised visiting such sites and Below BC assumes no responsibility for any injuries or trespassing charges that may occur as a result of the viewer entering these sites.

Collection Details

Original Collection:

Association for Mineral Exploration (AME)

Sub Collection:

-

Collection ID:

AME-627

Virtual Museum ID:

19-AME627

Accessibility:

Date Added to VM:

2017-11-02

Location Information

Sample Origin:

New Westminster, BC

Specific Site:

-

UTM Easting:

503451.4554

UTM Northing:

5450423.407

Datum:

10 (NAD 83)

Coordinate Accuracy:

Approximate

Specimen Details

VM Category:

Mineral

Primary Features:

Chlorite Pyrite

Primary Mineral Formula:

FeS2, ClO2-

Primary Category:

silicate sulphide

Secondary Features:

Advanced Geological Information

 

The following section provides geological data relating to the specimen or the site it was collected from, when available. Information has been obtained from various sources including private and government datasets but may not be up to date. Any geological time periods or ages listed often relate to the primary geology of the area, and may not be the actual date of an event such as mineral formation.

Geological Formation:

N/A

Geological Period:

N/A

Stratigraphic Age:

N/A

Geological Belt:

N/A

Geological Terrane:

N/A

Minfile ID:

N/A

Minfile Link:

N/A

Site Details:

N/A

Additional Images