Pyrite

Taking its name from the Greek <em>pyritēs</em>, meaning “of fire,” pyrite sparks when struck against metal or stone. Indigenous people of the American Southwest used polished pyrite slices as mirrors, and it was a precursor to flint and steel on the European continent. With a color ranging from brassy to golden, and a metallic luster, the mineral is nicknamed “fool’s gold.” Composed of iron and sulfur, pyrite is fairly common and is found in all rock types. It forms in various ways, each creating a different composition and crystal size. The celebrated cubes from the mines of Navajún, Spain—so perfect they appear manmade—are one such example. Once considered magic by the residents of Navajún, pyrite increases vitality, enhances willpower, and aids in overcoming fear and anxiety. A creative stimulant, it feeds the qualities of ambition, commitment, and persistence.