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   Marcasite
(FeS2)
D00658B
  
Image: D658B.jpg

 
Crystal system orthorhombic.
Habit blades, prisms, plates, fibrous rosettes, stellate, spherical and random aggregates; often twinned to make spearheaded or cockscombed crystals.
Cleavage poor.
Fracture conchoidal.
Hardness 6 - 6.5
Specific Gravity 4.8
Color pale yellow and commonly tarnished to blue, violet or green metallic.
Luster opaque with a bright metallic luster.
Streak green/black.
Distinguishing features always pale yellow with a tinge of the previously mentioned tarnishes; also, oxidizes quickly in air causing white spots of melanterite to form; this mineral is dimorphous with pyrite.
Uses used for the extraction of sulfuric acid..







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