How Can You Recognize Fool's Gold?
The last time we wrote about Pyrite (which is another name for Fool’s Gold) was in a post we published back in 2014. So we thought it would be a good time to write about the topic again and focus on this question . . .
How can you recognize Fool’s Gold?
If you are looking for gold in natural settings, you can come across this substance and be tricked into thinking you have found real gold.
So, where are you likely to find Pyrite? It is found in geological settings in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock. You can come across it in open areas alongside fossils. It is most commonly found in Italy, Peru, Spain, Kazakhstan, and also in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington.
There is a reason it is called “Fool’s Gold.” It fools people who find it into believing they have found gold nuggets. It is yellow in color, metallic, and heavy like gold. But it is essentially worthless!
And because we do not want you to be fooled by this copycat substance, we are providing you with the following information about it.
Pyrite, also known as Fool’s Gold, is a mineral that generally resembles real gold in color and shape but has different properties.
It has a brass-yellow color and a shiny, metallic luster that are like real gold, but it is usually a brighter, more brass-like yellow color.
It is harder than real gold. If you try to scratch it with a knife or nail, you will not leave a mark. In contrast, real gold is soft and can be scratched easily.
It usually does not have a classic “nugget” shape like gold. Fool's Gold often appears in irregular or angular shapes, whereas gold is typically more rounded and smoother.
It has a striated surface with visible lines running across its surface, while real gold is smooth.
It is lighter than real gold. You can conduct a specific gravity test by comparing the weight of the mineral to the weight of an equal volume of water. If the mineral is lighter than water, it is not gold.
And remember . . .
The best way to ensure that you have real gold is to have it tested by a professional testing lab like Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners. Call our precious metal refiners at 800-426-2344 and we can explain how easy it is to send a sample to us for testing.