Pyrite

Colour	Gold, Yellow
Mohs hardness	6–6.5
Lustre	Metallic, glistening
Streak	Greenish-black to brownish-black
Crystal system	Cubic
Transparency	Opaque
Cleavage	Indistinct on {001}; partings on {011} and {111}
Fracture	Very uneven, sometimes conchoidal
Chemical formula	FeS 2
Specific gravity	4.95–5.10

What is Pyrite?

The mineral pyrite ( PY-ryte), or iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula FeS2 (iron (II) disulfide). Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral.

How to identify Pyrite

Lustre: Metallic, glistening.
Hardness: Mohs 6–6.5 — about as hard as a steel knife.
Streak: Greenish-black to brownish-black.
Habit: Cubic crystal system.

Pyrite value

Based on 100 recent eBay sold listings, a raw / cluster Pyrite typically sells for $6–$20 (about $0.02–$0.06 per gram for raw material). After eBay fees a seller nets roughly $9 on a median piece.

Recently sold	Weight	Sold	Date
178G Natural chalcopyrite Pyrite White Quartz Crystal Mineral Specimen/China	178 g	$11	2026-06-22
Large Natural Pyrite specimen, Old Stock “Glendon Mine” North Carolina, USA	—	$20	2026-06-21
85g 37mm Natural Golden Pyrite Nodule Mineral Specimen China 4082	85 g	$9	2026-06-21
410G Rare!!Natural rhodochrosite with pyrite specimen restoration-museum level	410 g	$11	2026-06-21
1.73LB Natural green purple Cube Fluorite with pyrite Mineral Crystal Specimen	785 g	$17	2026-06-21
3.37LB Natural Pyrite Cluster Raw Crystal Specimen, Energy & Abundance Sto	1529 g	$16	2026-06-21

Typical recently-sold prices, 2026-06. Condition, size and quality vary widely, so this is an estimate, not an appraisal. See current sold listings on eBay ↗. Full value guide · how we work this out.