Iron Pyrite - or Iron Sulfide (FeS2) is fairly heavy and looks similar, in many ways, to gold, gaining it the popular name Fool's Gold. Prized for centuries by Alchemists and Native Americans for perceived mystical powers, it has also been used in jewelry by the ancient Egyptians, in early firearms, and, more recently, studied for use in photovoltaic cell for solar energy production. Includes 1 lb. of pyrite (approximately 40 pieces).
Common tests to distinguish iron pyrite from gold: Gold is very soft and will bend or break when stabbed with a straight pin; the much harder pyrite will not.
Gold is much heavier than pyrite.
Gold will flatten when hit with a hammer, while pyrite will shatter.
Gold has a yellow streak while pyrite has a greenish black streak
Gold has a golden to yellow color and pyrite has a brassy color.