2007-12-17 03:53:13 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Because if you don't know what real gold looks like, you can easily be fooled into thinking that iron pyrite is gold.
Also, back in the mining boom of the 1800s, if someone found a bunch of iron pyrite, they would probably have looked pretty foolish if they tried to sell it as gold.
2007-12-17 03:58:40 · answer #1 · answered by Navigator 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because Iron Pyrite looks just like real gold, but is not worth anything.
2007-12-17 11:56:27 · answer #2 · answered by ncaachamp 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Look like gold to naive men but not worth anything.
2007-12-17 13:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is shiny and gold toned but is not gold. Its iron sulfide.
http://www.crystalradio.net/minerals/pyrite.jpg
2007-12-17 11:57:35 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋