ZEUS 2103

Pyrite takes its name from the Greek "pyr" meaning "fire", or "stone of fire". Austrian mineralogist Wilhelm Karl Ritter von Haidinger officially named it "pyrite" in 1845. The stone was first mentioned in 50 AD by the Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides. He named it for its ability to produce sparks when rubbed against metal or other rock. Even in prehistoric times, pyrite would appear to have been used to light fires by the same process of striking the stone.
Throughout history, pyrite has been used for different purposes: in ancient Greece and Rome, it was used to make ornaments and jewelry, while Native Americans used it as a mirror, due to its reflective aspect. Today, pyrite is a highly symbolic stone, protecting against negative energies and bringing good luck to those who wear it.
As for its production, pyrite is a mineral found all over the world. The main deposits are in Peru, Spain, France, Italy, Slovakia and the United States.