Gold VS Fools Gold - How to Tell the Difference

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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.

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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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Pixabay

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.


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Pixabay

Above is a museum quality specimen of pyrite. Even though it's fools gold I'd still love to find this!

Gold VS Fools Gold - How to Tell the Difference | Ecency