Pyrite cubes are prized by collectors for their naturally sharp, geometric crystal faces often found in clay or sedimentary hosts. They are easily identified by their intense brass-yellow metallic luster and high hardness compared to soft gold. Look for them in matrix specimens from Spanish localities, where they are known for exceptional structural perfection.
Is this pyrite cubes?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch pyrite cubes with a known reference. Pyrite Cubes sits at Mohs 6-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pyrite Cubes leaves a greenish-black to brownish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pyrite Cubes typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brass-yellow, gold.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: perfect cubes, pyritohedrons, octahedrons.
Often confused with
Pyrite Cubes vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrite Cubes is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs — Pyrite Cubes leaves greenish-black to brownish-black, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish-black.
How to tell apart: Pyrite Cubes is noticeably harder (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs — Pyrite Cubes leaves greenish-black to brownish-black, Gold leaves golden yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Pyrite Cubes leaves greenish-black to brownish-black, Marcasite leaves greyish-black.
Often found alongside pyrite cubes
Minerals reported to co-occur with pyrite cubes. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 4.8-5.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Greenish-black to Brownish-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Perfect Cubes, Pyritohedrons, Octahedrons
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Rocks, Hydrothermal Veins, Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-50 for small cubes, $100+ for large matrix specimens
Where rockhounds find pyrite cubes
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Navajún, Spain
- Logroño, Spain
- Peru
- Vermont, USA
- Elba, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal veins, metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where pyrite cubes typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a perfect cubes, pyritohedrons, octahedrons habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find pyrite cubes on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
