Community identification
Pyrite Inclusions (Not an insect)
FeS2 (Iron Disulfide)
- Order & Family
- Mineral: Sulfide mineral
- Size
- Microscopic to several centimeters (crystals)
Natural Habitat
Found embedded within metamorphic rocks like Lapis Lazuli, sedimentary rocks, and hydrothermal veins.
Diet & Feeding
N/A (Inorganic mineral)
Behavior Patterns
Forms cubic, octahedral, or pyritohedral crystals. Often mistaken for gold ('Fool's Gold'). It does not exhibit biological behavior.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: Adds aesthetic value to gemstones like Lapis Lazuli; historically a source of sulfur and iron. Risks: No direct biological risk, but unstable variations (pyrite disease) can decay and release sulfuric acid in museum storage contexts.