Pyrite << PY ryt >>, or “fool’s gold,” as it is sometimes called, is a compound of iron and sulfur. Another name for it is iron pyrite. Pyrite is found in many places and is often mistaken for gold. It can be distinguished from gold by heating it. Real gold will not react when heated, but pyrite will smoke and produce a bad odor. Pyrite is used to make sulfuric acid. The name pyrite comes from the Greek word for fire.
When pyrite is struck with a hammer, sparks are produced. In the past, some Indians and members of a number of other cultures used pyrite in order to make fire.
See also Iron and Steel (Kinds of iron ore).
