Pyrite (Reflected Light)

Pyrite (FeS2) optical properties using a reflected-light polarizing microscope (adapted from Spry & Gedlinske, 1987):
System: Cubic
Reflectance: Strong
Colour: Yellowish white
VHN and polishing hardness: 1505 - 1620 / hard
Pleochroism: Nonpleochroic
Anisotropism: Usually isotropic, however it may be weakly anisotropic (blue-green to orange brown)
Internal reflections: Not present
Twinning: Not visible
Commonly associated minerals: Practically all minerals, but especially arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, magnetite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite
Sample from the EOSC424 reflected light sample collection at UBC