The Golden Doppelganger: Pyrite vs Gold PDF

What looks like gold but is much lighter, forms cubes instead of nuggets and is much easier to find? The answer is pyrite! Pyrite is a metallic mineral, and because it looks like the real precious metal, it is also known as fool's gold. Although they look similar, gold and pyrite are not the same!...

What looks like gold but is much lighter, forms cubes instead of nuggets and is much easier to find? The answer is pyrite! Pyrite is a metallic mineral, and because it looks like the real precious metal, it is also known as fool's gold. Although they look similar, gold and pyrite are not the same! **Only for fools?** Pyrite can be found all over the world and is often uncovered in rocks like coal, limestone and dolomite. In the past, people who were searching for real gold would sometimes find pyrite instead. They would get excited, thinking they would be rich, only to realise later that they had been tricked by pyrite---the golden doppelganger! **From spark to fire** The name pyrite originates from the ancient Greek word for fire. Pyrite creates a spark when struck against steel, and back then, this was a common way to start fires that would provide light and warmth. Some historians believe pyrite was polished and even used as a mirror back then. Today, we have better ways to create a fire, but that does not mean fool's gold is useless. Nowadays, pyrite is utilised in the paper industry to help with the bleaching process, and it is also used in jewellery and even fireworks. **What is the difference?** Pyrite might look a lot like gold, but do not be fooled! While gold is an expensive metal that can be worth over \$100 per gram, pyrite is actually a mineral made up of iron and sulphur. Gold and pyrite are both yellow and shiny, but there are ways to tell them apart. Gold is much softer than pyrite. Where gold will bend or dent under pressure, pyrite is more brittle and thin pieces will break off more easily. Pyrite is also much lighter than gold, forming cubes instead of nuggets or flakes. Gold is a warmer tone of yellow, while pyrite looks more metallic. Gold doesn't tarnish, while pyrite does, meaning it can discolour and appear less shiny. Even though pyrite is not as precious as gold, pyrite is still pretty special. So next time you see something shiny and golden, take a closer look. It might be gold or pyrite---the golden doppelganger that is full of surprises!