It's theoretically possible, since pyrite (often called "fool's gold, because it looks so similar to the real thing) can form in all kinds of environments. That is probably why so many prospectors were fooled over the years: they went where they thought gold would be found, but instead, the mineral they encountered was pyrite.
In fact, pyrite is heavier than gold. I'm not sure exactly, but I believe it is anywhere from 5% to 20% heavier than gold of the same volume.
Gold has a higher density than pyrite, which means it contains more mass in the same volume. This higher density is due to the atomic structure and composition of gold, which makes it heavier compared to pyrite even though they may appear to be the same size.
Iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, has been commonly mistaken for gold due to its metallic luster and brassy yellow color. It is much less valuable than gold and does not have the same chemical properties.
Pyrite (A.K.A. Fool's gold) isn't an element, its formula is FeS2 (iron (II) disulfide) Pyrite is classed as a mineral.
Gold is more valuable than pyrite due to its rarity, luster, and durability. Gold has been treasured for centuries for its scarcity and beauty, while pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is more common and lacks the same inherent value and desirability as gold. Additionally, gold is resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, making it a more durable and sought-after metal.
They thought they found gold, but all they found was pyrite; fools gold. Pyrite was worthless. It had the same luster and color as gold but it was worth as much as dirt
YES
It can be identified in the field by the sulfur smell of the powdered mineral. Its metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold due to many miners mistaking it for the real thing, though small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in pyrite. In fact, such auriferous pyrite is a valuable ore of gold.
In fact, pyrite is heavier than gold. I'm not sure exactly, but I believe it is anywhere from 5% to 20% heavier than gold of the same volume.
The mineral that is sometimes confused with gold due to their similar color is pyrite, also known as fool's gold. Pyrite has a brassy, metallic yellow color that can easily be mistaken for gold by individuals who are not familiar with minerals. However, unlike gold, pyrite is a sulfide mineral that is not valuable or precious.
Gold has a higher density than pyrite, which means it contains more mass in the same volume. This higher density is due to the atomic structure and composition of gold, which makes it heavier compared to pyrite even though they may appear to be the same size.
john smith gold was fond in Trinidad and Tobago
Iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, has been commonly mistaken for gold due to its metallic luster and brassy yellow color. It is much less valuable than gold and does not have the same chemical properties.
Pyrite (A.K.A. Fool's gold) isn't an element, its formula is FeS2 (iron (II) disulfide) Pyrite is classed as a mineral.
Pyrite also known as "fool's gold" is a mineral that has both a different chemical, morphological and physical characteristics than gold. Gold is denser (i.e. the same size of gold is much heavier than the that of pyrite). Gold's average density is 17.64 g/cm3 while Pyrite's density is on average 5.01 g/cm3. The chemical formulas are different. Gold's chemical formula is "Au" while Pyrite's is and iron sulfate mineral with a formula of "FeS2". The color is also different, gold appears the color of gold while pyrite is more bronze in color. The crystallographic form of the minerals also vary. Gold is a very soft mineral while Pyrite is much harder (gold has a hardness of 2.5 while Pyrite is 6.5). To distinguish between a sample of each, you could scratch the surface of gold using your fingernail which you would not be able to do with pyrite. You can try to scratch it because pyrite or fools gold much harder then gold so if it doesn't scratch that much it is most likely pyrite or fools gold. You can tell them apart by looking at their reflection and streak. Also, gold is much more dense than pyrite, so the same volume would 'weigh' about 3.5 times more. Gold has a hardness of about 2.5, while pyrite is about 6 (Gold is softer and more malable). Streak is used to distinguish between Gold and Pyrite.
If the volumes of the samples of pyrite and gold are equal, you cannot directly determine the number of samples without knowing the specific mass or density of each material. Pyrite has a lower density (about 5 g/cm³) compared to gold (about 19.3 g/cm³), meaning that for the same volume, a sample of gold would weigh significantly more than a sample of pyrite. Therefore, while the volumes may be equal, the mass of gold will be greater than that of pyrite.
marcasite is actually white iron pyrite (related to but not the same as pyrite-i.e. fools gold)