Gold VS Fools Gold - How to Tell the Difference
Gold
Often found in the most common mineral of earths crust - quartz. This may lead you to think that gold is common as well, obviously a false assumption. This sample is from an abandon mine site that is now being reevaluated for economic viability. Mines that were previous economic dead ends may be reopened due to the ever increasing price of gold. Just a few parts per million in gold is all that is needed to make a mine economical.
Specks of gold with sulfide minerals in a quartz mass - NS, Canada
Fools Gold
The mineral pyrite, also called iron sulfide is commonly known as fools gold. It is confused as such because it is a sulfide mineral that often occurs with gold and the obvious similarity in colour.
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How to Tell The Difference
Pyrite has a cubic mineral habit, if you see cubes it is NOT gold. Also, the cube surfaces display a pattern of parallel lines, these are called striations, another indicator of fools gold.
Pixabay
Above is a museum quality specimen of pyrite. Even though it's fools gold I'd still love to find this!
Good ideas and facts on geology. I wonder how many people thought they were rich as they dug in the dirt only to find out the discouraging news that they had been fooled.
Thanks @sweetscience I'm sure there have been a ton of pyrite investors over the years lol pyrite was actually mined for iron until people starting realizing that all the sulfur was destroying the environment. Now its's just considered waste material