Better known as “fool’s gold”, pyrite has, for most of its known history, been the metal that gets gold prospectors worked into a frenzy, only to be brutally disappointed by it when it is analyzed more closely.
However, over the past few years, scientists have been taking a close look at this particular metal to see if it is capable of doing more than just looking pretty, and one property that has been speculated about is the potential of pyrite as a ferrous or magnetic metal.
What did these scientists find out? Read on and all will be revealed!
Is Pyrite Magnetic?
The answer is yes; pyrite is technically magnetic, but here’s the thing… so is everything!
That’s right, folks — all matter in the universe has at least a very faint magnetic field.
Even the metals widely thought of as nonmagnetic react in very subtle ways in the presence of magnets.
Along with aluminum, copper, zinc, brass, and bronze, pyrite belongs to this incredibly weak pole of the magnetic spectrum.
Although they’re technically magnetic, they’re considered nonmagnetic by mankind in the same way we consider our bodies to be nonmagnetic.
I Thought Pyrite Contained Iron… Wouldn’t That Make It Highly Magnetic?
The geology nuts out there will know that pyrite is an iron disulfide, which makes my previous comments somewhat confusing, as iron is perhaps the most famously magnetic material on Earth.
So, why is it that pyrite is such a weak magnetic agent?
The thing to bear in mind here is that pyrite is a compound material only partly composed of iron, and when elements are fused in such a way, their original properties undergo a transformation alongside the physical one.
The combination of iron and sulfur that forms pyrite has its own unique charge, distinct from its constituent parts, and thus, the iron content is no longer a potent magnetic player.
Can Pyrite Be Made Magnetic?
Brace yourself, because this just may blow your mind — Pyrite can actually be made magnetic! It sounds like nonsense, but trust me; scientists have got it all figured out.
Utilizing a highly refined electric treatment, researchers have discovered that you can boost the magnetism of pyrite significantly.
The process, known as “electrolyte gating”, involves connecting iron sulfide (pyrite) to an ionic solution and passing a very small voltage through it.
Rather miraculously, this results in the transference of positively charged molecules to the contact point between the iron sulfide and electrolyte (ionic solution), thereby inducing a sort of faux magnetism, a… fool’s magnetism, if you will.
But here’s the kicker; this change is permanent! No further voltage is required to sustain it; the magnetic properties of the material are kicked into 5th gear indefinitely.
This is HUGE, as it’s the first ever instance of electricity permanently altering the magnetic qualities of a material.
Now, I know you’re thinking… so we have another magnetic material; big whup… right?
And yes, you are correct; we already know of a bunch of magnetic materials, but the ability to convert pyrite into a magnetic material is a total game-changer.
For a number of reasons, this converted pyrite can’t be considered just another magnetic material.
Stick with me, and I’ll explain why this discovery has the potential to change the course of history.
Potential Uses For Pyrite
Scientists are still trying to determine what new uses there could be for iron pyrite, but there’s a lot of buzz and excitement about fool’s gold’s future prospects serving mankind.
Many scientists, thanks to its ability to respond in such a big way to very small amounts of electrical current, are speculating that it could be a groundbreaking new material used to create high-efficiency solar panels for generating clean, renewable energy.
And because iron pyrite is a relatively common metal that can be found across the world, its abundance would make it a comparatively inexpensive option, positioning it, and thus solar energy, as a viable option for organizations and individuals alike.
Essentially, what we’re talking about here is the universalization and widespread proliferation of renewable energy technology.
It could potentially revolutionize both commercial and residential energy usage, meaning fool’s gold may be a key player in the struggle to save our environment and keep human civilization afloat.
Not bad for a material considered the Razzy of metals; however, this wouldn’t be the first time pyrite has come in handy in a very vital way.
Existing Uses For Pyrite
Because pyrite is a metal that can be turned into iron sulfate, it is a material that often finds use in situations where it can serve as an iron substitute.
For example, iron pyrite, once it is turned into iron sulfate, can be used as a nutritional supplement for both people and animals suffering from anemia, as well as in the making of ink and even several lawn conditioning products too.
Moss killer products are also a popular product to be made from pyrite.
Effectively, if a product requires some form of iron sulfate, that pyrite can be used to help make that product.
Not only that, but geologists and scientists have also found that some deposits of iron pyrite do contain microscopic trace elements of gold in them, making some veins potentially viable for mining for gold ore.
Who’s the fool now?
Esoteric Uses
Outside the world of hard sciences, many people have also claimed that iron pyrite has many more esoteric uses.
For example, it is believed by some people that pyrite is a stone that can help harness protective energies to help ward off negative energy, as well as help in some forms of alternative therapy healing.
It also is said to help unblock negative thoughts, and assist in revitalizing a person’s creative thought process.
Research on these aspects of fool’s gold has been inconclusive thus far, although given that pyrite doesn’t appear to be harmful unless ingested (it does contain trace amounts of arsenic), there is very little danger in owning fragments of pyrite for personal use.
Closing Thoughts
Can you believe it?
This whole time we’ve been obsessing with gold and tossing pyrite back into the dust and dirt, a perceived annoyance that we’d rather never came into existence.
Yet, this mineral irritant may just be exactly what human society needs to solve the energy crises and pull ourselves back from the ecological precipice we currently teeter precariously over.
Who’d have thunk, ay?