Fool's Gold Ring - GoldIron pyrite, commonly referred to as fool's gold, is an iron sulphide mineral. Its shiny, pale brass yellow appearance may resemble gold, hence the popular nickname "fool's gold." Pyrite can be differentiated from real gold by its hardness, brittleness, and crystal structure. Unlike gold, pyrite has uneven fractures while gold nuggets deform without breaking. Pyrite is fragile, while gold is pliable. We adore the crushed Pyrite crystals' texture used