Metallic Luster: Iron pyrite has a shiny, metallic appearance, often mistaken for gold due to its bright, brassy-yellow color, hence its nickname “Fool’s Gold.”

High Sulfur Content: Pyrite contains a significant amount of sulfur, making it a primary source for sulfur production in industrial processes.

Conductive Properties: It has semiconducting properties, which makes it of interest for use in solar cells and other electronic applications.

Thermal Stability: Iron pyrite is stable at high temperatures, making it useful in high-temperature industrial processes and as a potential material for thermoelectric applications.

Frangibility: Despite its hard, metallic appearance, pyrite is brittle and easily breaks along cubic crystal planes, distinguishing it from gold, which is malleable and ductile.