Is pyrite magnetic?

Pyrite enjoyed brief popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries as a source of ignition in early firearms, most notably the wheellock, where the cock held a lump of pyrite against a circular file to strike the sparks needed to fire the gun. Pyrite has been used since classical times to manufacture copperas, that is, iron(II) sulfate. read more

“Fool’s Gold” is pyrite, FeS2. It is not reliably magnetic unless it is associated with pyrrhotite, (nominally FeS). But, it is easily distinguishable from gold in several ways: The color is not an exact match. Gold has a distinctly more buttery-yellow color. Once you’ve seen real gold, pyrite is not all that close. read more

Not ALL pyrite is magnetic, but some is. That said, Iron Pyrite, or fool's gold, can be tested for by a malleability test. Using a pin, or a pocket knife, try to cut or 'stab' the sample in question. read more

The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula FeS 2 (iron(II) disulfide). Pyrite is considered the most common of the sulfide minerals. Pyrite's metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold, hence the well-known nickname of fool's gold. read more