Pyrite Quartz Sphalerite

Specimen Summary

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 the 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.

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on Earth, present in many different types of rocks. Although usually clear or milky white in colour, quartz is found in a variety of colours due to impurities in the crystal structure. Pure quartz consists of silicon and oxygen only, but atoms of other elements often make their way into the quartz crystal structure, colouring the crystals. Some varieties of quartz, like purple amethyst and yellow citrine, are considered to be semi-precious gemstones and have been used since ancient times to make jewellery and decorative objects. Well-formed (euhedral) crystals of quartz have a hexagonal cross section and are highly collectible.

Sphalerite is the main ore mineral for zinc, and although relatively common, finding it in commercial amounts is somewhat rarer. The zinc will give the mineral a yellow or red hue, but iron can replace the zinc in the atomic structure, making the crystals black. Rarely, cobalt finds its way into the structure, and produces green crystals. Although sphalerite is a relatively soft mineral, it can be cut (faceted) into attractive gems, which are used for mineral displays.

This sample is from the American Creek area near Stewart in northwestern BC.

Several mineral occurrences are documented in the area. Most are polymetallic veins less than a metre wide that are related to faulting. Polymetallic veins are veins that contain several different types of metallic ore minerals. In the American Creek area, the main ore minerals are pyrite and sphalerite, as seen in this sample, as well as galena (lead sulphide), chalcopyrite (copper sulphide) and, less commonly, silver and gold. The veins are mostly filled with quartz and calcite, two common gangue (waste) minerals.

Small prospects were staked in the 1900s-1930s but little mining or exploration work has taken place along American Creek since.

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-961B AME-961

Virtual Museum ID:

19-AME961

Accessibility:

Date Added to VM:

2018-02-15

Location Information

Sample Origin:

American Creek, Stewart, B.C.

Specific Site:

Kingdom Resources Ltd.

UTM Easting:

447338.4696

UTM Northing:

6242524.188

Datum:

09 (NAD 83)

Coordinate Accuracy:

Specimen Details

VM Category:

Mineral

Primary Features:

Pyrite Quartz Sphalerite

Primary Mineral Formula:

FeS2, SiO2, (Zn,Fe)S

Primary Category:

sulphide oxide

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