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In one word, scarcity. There is a lot of pyrite, not much gold.

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14y ago

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Why you gold is more valuable than pyrite?

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.


Is gold harder than pyrite?

No, gold is not harder than pyrite. Pyrite has a hardness of 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale, while gold has a hardness of 2.5-3. This means that pyrite is harder than gold.


The mineral that is sometimes confused with gold because both minerals are the same color?

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.


Which is an element real gold or fool's gold?

Real gold is an element, while fool's gold is not an element but a mineral called iron pyrite. Real gold has the chemical symbol Au and is a precious metal with high value, while fool's gold is often mistaken for real gold due to its similar appearance but is not as valuable.


What mineral gets comfused with gold?

Pyrite, also known as "fool's gold," is a mineral that is frequently confused with actual gold due to its similar appearance. Pyrite has a metallic luster and a brassy yellow color, which can lead people to mistake it for gold at first glance. However, pyrite is much less valuable than gold and is not as dense or soft as genuine gold.


What mineral was mistaken for gold?

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.


What are four valuable heavy minerals that commonly make up veins?

Gold, Molybdenite, Silver, Pyrite.


When looking for gold in Californiawhat chracteristics would be the best way to distinguish gold from pyrite?

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.


Is pyrite gold valuable?

Most pyrite is not valuable (I have heard estimates of 50 cents (USD) per gramme). Some pyrites contain traces of gold that increase its value, but it is mainly used for industrial extraction of sulphur. Large, perfectly cubic crystals of pyrite are valued by museums as exhibits.


What mineral property can be used to distinguish between pyrite and chalco pyrite?

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.


Is gold different from fool's gold?

Yes! Fool's Gold is actually called Iron Pyrite. It is cubic formed iron based crystal that is is a yellow to brass color. It is reflective giving you a "shiny" appearance. Gold on the other hand is a brighter yellow and is the same brightness whether it is in the shade or in the sun! If you shade pyrite with your hand, it will go dull. Gold will stay Yellow! I should also mention, if you hit pyrite with a hammer or another rock, it will shatter or break. Gold should just flatten out. Here is a comparison picture between Pyrite and Gold - http://www.homegrownfun.com/wp-content/uploads/smaller-gold-and-pyrite-400x300.jpg


What is an antonym for pyrite?

An antonym for pyrite could be "gold," as pyrite is often referred to as "fool's gold" due to its resemblance to real gold.