Rainbow Pyrite In Pennsylvania?

[dreamsofgold]

While on the hunt for a Silver outcrop I noticed a sparkle coming from a 0.5 mm quartz vein running through metamorphic phyllite. I dug it out and this is what I see with the eye loop. The closest thing I can find on the web is rainbow pyrite but from what I have been reading it has only been found in Russia. I am still learning geology so I am sure there is an explanation I am unaware of. Whats your thoughts?

 

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[Ocean7]

that looks more like amethyst Amethyst
However, rainbow pyrite is found in Pa according to this site:
Rainbow Pyrite « Hunter-Wolff Gallery

 

[Brian T. Booth]

While on the hunt for a Silver outcrop I noticed a sparkle coming from a 0.5 mm quartz vein running through metamorphic phyllite. I dug it out and this is what I see with the eye loop. The closest thing I can find on the web is rainbow pyrite but from what I have been reading it has only been found in Russia. I am still learning geology so I am sure there is an explanation I am unaware of. Whats your thoughts? <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1039515"/>

That is Pyrite. The iridescence you see is caused by weathering.

 

[Jazzy]

I wonder if this is chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is found all over Pennsylvania, it's copper and pyrite. It's more fragile then pyrite and would end up in pieces like this, tarnished. The tarnishing causes the rainbow color like Brian said.

PAGE 30

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_014600.pdf

https://www.google.com/search?q=tar...360&bih=600#q=tarnished+chalcopyrite&tbm=isch

 

[Brian T. Booth]

I wonder if this is chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is found all over Pennsylvania, it's copper and pyrite. It's more fragile then pyrite and would end up in pieces like this, tarnished. The tarnishing causes the rainbow color like Brian said. PAGE 30 http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_014600.pdf https://www.google.com/search?q=tarnished+chalcopyrite&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=tKT3U7DMNMaMyASt6IK4Cw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1360&bih=600#q=tarnished+chalcopyrite&tbm=isch

Jazzy,

You might be right on that being chalcopyrite. It's very difficult to distinguish pyrite from chalcopyrite. That's why specific location is key to identifying minerals.