How do you determine the difference in gold and pyrite?

Answer by  Darkephoenix (1789)

Gold in raw form will usually be smooth or look like tree branches depending on where it was found. Gold panned from a stream, etc will have a smooth appearance. Pyrite forms in small cubes that clump together. There are also pieces of pyrite that form in small discs or rounds that look like a sunburst.

Answer by  ranganathan (4)

Gold will be far more flexible and prone to scratching than fool's gold. Pyrite won't hold to a magnet despite being partially iron but it typically forms in quasi-geometric shapes while gold nuggets are typically organic and bulbous in shape. Pyrite is also a little grayer than gold is. Google some pictures of gold and pyrite.

Answer by  ritujain (234)

The real gold after scratching will be remain golden colour and the pyrated will turn into black colour after scratching.

Answer by  Puppyluv (173)

It is hard to tell without some destruction. There is an acid test and if you pulverize it, pyrite smells like sulfur.