1. a shiny yellow mineral composed of iron sulfide, often mistaken for gold
Usage: mineralogy

Examples

• The prospector was disappointed to discover that his shiny nuggets were only pyrite.
• Pyrite crystals formed beautiful cubic shapes in the rock specimen.
• Many inexperienced miners have been fooled by pyrite’s golden appearance.
• The geology student learned to distinguish between real gold and pyrite.
• Pyrite is commonly found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
• The museum’s mineral collection included several impressive pyrite formations.