Where is Granite with Pyrite found?
Granite (igneous rock) with Pyrite (FeS2)
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Open the appGranite with Pyrite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Granite with Pyrite
Sierra Nevada Batholith, USA
Extensive granitic intrusions where pyrite can be found as an accessory mineral or in associated hydrothermal veins.
Cornwall, UK
Known for its granitic intrusions and associated tin-tungsten mineralization, where pyrite is a common sulfide mineral.
Fichtelgebirge, Germany
Granitic massifs with occurrences of pyrite, sometimes associated with other sulfide minerals.
Canadian Shield, Canada
Vast areas of Precambrian granitic rocks where pyrite can be found.
Collecting tips
- Look for Metallic Luster. Pyrite's distinctive brassy yellow color and metallic luster make it stand out against the lighter, non-metallic minerals of granite.
- Check for Cubic or Irregular Grains. Pyrite often forms well-defined cubic crystals or irregular, disseminated grains within the granite matrix or along fractures.
- Examine Weathered Surfaces. On weathered surfaces, pyrite may show signs of oxidation, appearing as reddish-brown stains (iron oxides/hydroxides) due to its decomposition.
- Consider Hydrothermal Veins. Pyrite is frequently concentrated in quartz veins or other hydrothermal alteration zones cutting through granite.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Granite: Light (white, grey, pink); Pyrite: Brassy yellow
- Luster:
- Granite: Vitreous to pearly; Pyrite: Metallic
- Streak:
- Granite: White (quartz, feldspar), grey to brown (mica); Pyrite: Greenish-black to brownish-black
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