Rainbow Pyrite.
Origin: Teruel (Spain)
Contractual specimen.
Size: approx. 22 x 12 x 12 cm.
Weight: approx. 5kg.
CONTRACTUAL PHOTO - UNIQUE PIECE
Rainbow (iridescent) pyrite is a relatively new gemstone that has only recently been discovered. This material occurs in the form of a druse, a thin layer of miniature crystals covering a matrix. It displays a brilliant rainbow of colours, including shades of gold, green, pink and blue. This rainbow pyrite is found in only a few deposits. The specimen we have at Kunugi comes from Teruel, Spain.
Pyrite takes its name from the Greek word for fire, ‘Pyr’, as it produces sparks when struck with steel. Pyrite has an opaque metallic lustre and can be iridescent. The typical colour of pyrite ranges from bright pale yellow to brass-yellow and greyish-yellow, often dulled by a brown film of iron oxide. Pyrite was known in ancient times as ‘fool’s gold’ because it was often mistaken for gold due to its colour.
Pyrite is composed of iron sulphide (FeS?). It has a hardness of 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale with a refractive index of 5.1. Deposits of pyrite have been reported all over the world. Some of the main deposits are in the USA, Peru, Germany, Russia, Spain and South Africa; however, rainbow pyrite is found only in Russia.
The metaphysical properties of pyrite include its ability to promote psychic development, improve memory, practicality, optimism and willpower.
