Pyrite

Decided to do photos of several minerals. First, pyrite.

Pyrite, iron pyrite — a mineral, iron disulfide chemical composition of FeS2. Pyrite forming cubic, pentekontaetia, cuboctahedron, sometimes in octahedral crystals; the faces of the cube are typical coarse cross-hatching, parallel to the edges. In the photos, not a single crystal of pyrite, but a whole cluster

Pyrite has the ability to give sparks on impact, for which it got its name: in Greek "pyrites lithos" - stone, carving fire. Almost 200 years ago, pyrite and flint, or kresalo, were almost the only "matches" of man.

Pyrite is a raw material for the production of sulfuric acid, sulfur and iron sulfate, but recently rarely used for this purpose. At the moment, it is increasingly used as a corrective additive in the production of cements. In huge volumes it is extracted in the development of hydrothermal deposits of copper, lead, zinc, tin and other non-ferrous metals. But the processing of pyrite into useful components is usually uneconomical, and it is sent to the dumps.

In addition, large crystals are of great interest to collectors, small ones are used in jewelry, in many products they replace tiny diamonds. For inserts in jewelry pyrite never cut, and use only in the form of natural crystals. (Wiki)

It can be seen that this sample of pyrite has a complex structure, the usual photo can not cover the focus of it all. Therefore, the next task will be to make a stack photo, and then - a macro.