Pyrite
Pictured here is a very fine cluster of pyrite crystals from the Magma mine, Superior, Pinal County. The Magma mine was discovered in 1874 and was at first called the Silver Queen mine based on the thought (and hope) that it would be an important silver mine. It turned out to be a very important mine, but not for silver. It produced lead, zinc and copper ore from 1880 until 1981.
Many mines in Arizona are surface mines. This one, however, is a very deep mine and temperatures in the mine shafts get very, very hot. It is the deepest mine in the State of Arizona. This mine has produced mostly zinc ore (the mineral sphalerite) and some lead ore (galena). It has also produced copper ore in the form of the mineral bornite. All of these ore minerals are sulfide minerals, that is, they have sulfur in their crystals. Galena is lead sulfide; sphalerite is zinc sulfide; bornite is copper-iron sulfide. It is not a surprise, then, to find other sulfide minerals, like the pyrite pictured here (iron sulfide), associated with the ore minerals of the Magma mine.
Pictured here is a very fine cluster of pyrite crystals from the Magma mine, Superior, Pinal County. The Magma mine was discovered in 1874 and was at first called the Silver Queen mine based on the thought (and hope) that it would be an important silver mine. It turned out to be a very important mine, but not for silver. It produced lead, zinc and copper ore from 1880 until 1981.
Many mines in Arizona are surface mines. This one, however, is a very deep mine and temperatures in the mine shafts get very, very hot. It is the deepest mine in the State of Arizona. This mine has produced mostly zinc ore (the mineral sphalerite) and some lead ore (galena). It has also produced copper ore in the form of the mineral bornite. All of these ore minerals are sulfide minerals, that is, they have sulfur in their crystals. Galena is lead sulfide; sphalerite is zinc sulfide; bornite is copper-iron sulfide. It is not a surprise, then, to find other sulfide minerals, like the pyrite pictured here (iron sulfide), associated with the ore minerals of the Magma mine.
Pyrite Experiments: Making Sparks
What you will need: A piece of massive pyrite; a hammer or steel cold chisel; goggles to protect your eyes; gloves to protect your hands; a dark room.
What you need to know: The name pyrite comes from the Greek word pur which means fire. Do you wonder why? You are about to find out . . .
What to do:
Step 1: Put on your goggles to protect your eyes.
Step 2: Put on your gloves to protect your hands.
Step 3: Hold a piece of massive pyrite in one hand.
Step 4: Hit the pyrite with a hammer or steel cold chisel (actually, any tool that is made of steel). When you hit the pyrite, try to hit it in a way that the tool slides off the side of the specimen while it strikes it.
What do you see? (You will see a spark.)
Be careful!! Years ago miners, campers and travelers would start their campfires using pyrite and steel. The spark made when you strike the two together is hot enough to start a fire.
What you will need: A piece of massive pyrite; a hammer or steel cold chisel; goggles to protect your eyes; gloves to protect your hands; a dark room.
What you need to know: The name pyrite comes from the Greek word pur which means fire. Do you wonder why? You are about to find out . . .
What to do:
Step 1: Put on your goggles to protect your eyes.
Step 2: Put on your gloves to protect your hands.
Step 3: Hold a piece of massive pyrite in one hand.
Step 4: Hit the pyrite with a hammer or steel cold chisel (actually, any tool that is made of steel). When you hit the pyrite, try to hit it in a way that the tool slides off the side of the specimen while it strikes it.
What do you see? (You will see a spark.)
Be careful!! Years ago miners, campers and travelers would start their campfires using pyrite and steel. The spark made when you strike the two together is hot enough to start a fire.
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