Pyrite, also known as “fool’s gold,” has a rich history dating back to ancient times. 

It was used by Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Incas. It was valued for its metallic luster and was used as a decorative element in jewelry, as well as for religious and ritualistic purposes. During the Middle Ages, pyrite played a significant role in alchemy. Alchemists believed pyrite could be transformed into gold through a process called transmutation. Romans used it for various purposes, including as a building material, in the production of sulfur, and for medicinal uses. Pyrite played a role in World War I as a source of sulfur for the production of sulfuric acid, which was used to manufacture explosives and chemical weapons.
Its history shows that pyrite is far from being a “foolish” mineral.