P for pyrite

Pyrite is golden yellow mineral. It shines like a metal, and contains iron.

Fact:

Pyrite is called "fools' gold" because many people have mistaken it for real gold because it looks so similar.

Do you know how to tell pyrite and gold apart?

Pyrite is harder than gold.

All minerals have a certain hardness. Hardness is measured on a scale of 1-10.

Gold has a hardness of about 3, it can be scratched with a copper coin.

Pyrite has a hardness of about 6, it cannot be scratched with a copper coin.