Spain
5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 cm

Provenance: Swiss private collection

Also known as iron pyrite, and colloquially as fool's gold because of its metallic luster and golden color, pyrite belongs to the class of sulfides and sulfosalts. The word pyrite is derived from the Greek pyrites "lithos" (pyr = fire, lithos = stone) and reflects the property of the mineral: when rubbed against steel or flint, sparks are produced. The mineral often forms crystals, mostly in the form of cubes and pentagon dodecahedra, or as octahedra and often as combinations.

In the ancient greek culture, pyrite was considered a remedy to prevent "putrefaction of the blood." In esoteric circles, pyrite is still used to this day as a healing stone against arthritis and isias pain.