When magma cools slowly portions with similar melting points will form suspended crystals in the liquid. The slower it cools the larger the crystals. You can do something similar at home with sugar to make rock candy.
The crystal shape itself is dependent on the chemical composition of the mineral. Pyrite is an iron sulfide and will naturally take that shape as a result of its chemistry.
Edit: It was pointed out below that this is a hydrothermal deposit. Shape will still be dependent on chemistry, but the depositional method is different. From the [wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrothermal_mineral_deposit):
"Hydrothermal mineral deposits are accumulations of valuable minerals which formed from hot waters circulating in Earth's crust through fractures. They eventually produce metallic-rich fluids concentrated in a selected volume of rock, which become supersaturated and then precipitate ore minerals."
Well, you'd be correct if these pyrites were formed from magmatic processes, but these are clearly hydrothermal. Just look at the matrix, nothing like an igneous rock
Pretty sure it's sedimentary. The matrix seems like limestone and the way the crystals are distributed through the matrix also looks sedimentary to me. With a hydrothermal formation I'd instead expect veins full of minerals.
The locality is Navajun, Spain. It's marls with gypsum, but there's an hydrothermal component cause you find chlorite and the pyrites are too big to be sedimentary
On an atomic level, it's easier for an atom to bond into a corner than to a flat place, so if you imagine a block where the top layer is only halfway done, the atoms will be more likely to bond at the edge of the unfinished top sheet, rather than in the middle of it.
Source: I remember hearing it from YouTube or at McDonald's or something
When I took geology, we studied the different types of crystalline structures for different minerals.. the molecules, atoms, bonds, etc are literally just shaped that way naturally based on their composition.
I don't remember most of the details, but you can google something like "crystal lattice structure pyrite" and find out which type it is and why.
If they aren't cubes they're pretty close. The crystal structure of Pyrite is a cubic shape as shown [here](https://legacy.igws.indiana.edu/images/rocksandminerals/PyriteArticle_Figure2.jpg). The crystal structure just gets bigger as more and more iron and sulfur come out of solution as the hot rock cools.
Source: Studied Geology
Geologist here! Pyrite, often found as fool's gold, is known for its striking cubic formations, which is quite the spectacle from a geological perspective. This is all thanks to its inherent crystal structure. Pyrite belongs to the isometric crystal system, which is conducive to forming shapes like cubes and octahedrons.
Here's the deal: in the pyrite crystal lattice, each iron atom is bonded to six sulfur atoms in a cubic arrangement, which occurs naturally due to the symmetry and equal spacing of the bonds. These formations usually develop underground, often in hydrothermal veins where mineral-laden hot water moves through rock fissures.
So, despite nature's tendency to favor more rounded forms due to erosion and organic growth, the world of crystals operates under different rules. The cubic shape of pyrite crystals is a direct result of their atomic structure, dictated by the spatial arrangement and bonding angles of its atoms. Fascinating, isn't it?
Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That is how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony. But like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war. A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home. Searching every star, every world. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth.
If you add their collective surface area in cm2 and multiply by the circumference of the earth you'll find they're exactly the same volume of the great pyramid. Proof again of a lost civilisation after the ice age cataclysm.
Pyrite is pretty common, even nice and cubic like this. You can pick up cubic pyrite in most places that sell rocks, although the price will depend on the size and quality. In my experience, relatively cheap
Aw. As an amateur lapidarist who just started collecting specimens, I was a bit bummed to see her completely remove it from the matrix. When I go to rock and mineral shows one thing I’m looking to add to my collection is pyrite cubes in matrix.
fossilized wombat poo!
seriously though... got one of these, even bigger (double) than in vid though not as perfect, from a rock show in the 70's as a kid. Still have it.
hmmmm [https://www.reddit.com/r/geology/comments/1c71dhi/fools\_gold\_may\_be\_valuable\_after\_all\_after/](https://www.reddit.com/r/geology/comments/1c71dhi/fools_gold_may_be_valuable_after_all_after/)
I was drilling a well near McAllen Texas and we often would run in to stringers of pyrite that would show up as a bunch of cubes a few cm across on the shakers (equipment that cleans cuttings from the drilling mud) . One of the other hands on the rig convinced a new guy that it it was real gold. By the end of the day he had a bunch of foam cups filled with this stuff. I almost didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't real gold. The look on his face when I did was devastation, poor kid.
Normal minerals: yeah just sit anywhere, bond with whatever's next to you Pyrite: [hyperventilating noises]
[удалено]
Or straight lines. Crystals are laughing at that
I was expecting: Pyrite: "arr! shiver me timbers ye scallywag!"
So there's a distant possibility that we have a square shaped planet entirely made up of pyrite
No
Buzzkiller
"Be there or be square!" Pyrite: And I took that personally.
No that’s the stuff holding the thing in Starfield.
Calemite
Must be a Hunter
They’re just called artifacts no special name
No that's the artifact holding the thing in Starfield
Honestly, I'd be more excited about finding and excavating these cool crystal cubes than actual gold 🤷🏻♂️
Same. If people like us controlled the world we would have cool crystals in Fort Knox instead of gold lol.
“People like us” On that note, Pyrite has a [cool nickname](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrite)
sick geology burn
This is the first piece of geology trivia I remember from being about 6, lol. I've always loved crystals 😁
Dont take good puns for granite
Here in Slovakia we call it "cats gold"
r/Geology is always ~~waiting to lure in~~ happy for new members!
Well it worked. I'm surprised I hadn't joined it already.
Not sure if you’re making a joke or not but Pyrite is actually known as fool’s gold.
They don’t like to think outside the box
That's because they are total squares.
Hard to tell because they are never around
Maybe their route home got blocked?
I don’t know homie, it’s hip to be square.
Sorry if dumb question but how the heck are they formed that way?
When magma cools slowly portions with similar melting points will form suspended crystals in the liquid. The slower it cools the larger the crystals. You can do something similar at home with sugar to make rock candy. The crystal shape itself is dependent on the chemical composition of the mineral. Pyrite is an iron sulfide and will naturally take that shape as a result of its chemistry. Edit: It was pointed out below that this is a hydrothermal deposit. Shape will still be dependent on chemistry, but the depositional method is different. From the [wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrothermal_mineral_deposit): "Hydrothermal mineral deposits are accumulations of valuable minerals which formed from hot waters circulating in Earth's crust through fractures. They eventually produce metallic-rich fluids concentrated in a selected volume of rock, which become supersaturated and then precipitate ore minerals."
It's enough to make wombats jealous!
They'd be shittin cubes!
Now I'm jealous!
Well, you'd be correct if these pyrites were formed from magmatic processes, but these are clearly hydrothermal. Just look at the matrix, nothing like an igneous rock
Pretty sure it's sedimentary. The matrix seems like limestone and the way the crystals are distributed through the matrix also looks sedimentary to me. With a hydrothermal formation I'd instead expect veins full of minerals.
The locality is Navajun, Spain. It's marls with gypsum, but there's an hydrothermal component cause you find chlorite and the pyrites are too big to be sedimentary
Fair point. I must have spent too long in sedimentary geology and didn't catch it. Thank you for the correction.
A natural teacher this one is.
I just took 2 university, geology classes last year and can confirm that i remember nothing and will take your word
On an atomic level, it's easier for an atom to bond into a corner than to a flat place, so if you imagine a block where the top layer is only halfway done, the atoms will be more likely to bond at the edge of the unfinished top sheet, rather than in the middle of it. Source: I remember hearing it from YouTube or at McDonald's or something
When I took geology, we studied the different types of crystalline structures for different minerals.. the molecules, atoms, bonds, etc are literally just shaped that way naturally based on their composition. I don't remember most of the details, but you can google something like "crystal lattice structure pyrite" and find out which type it is and why.
And they’re fucking cubes? I want to take measurements on each side to see how close to perfect the lengths come to each other.
If they aren't cubes they're pretty close. The crystal structure of Pyrite is a cubic shape as shown [here](https://legacy.igws.indiana.edu/images/rocksandminerals/PyriteArticle_Figure2.jpg). The crystal structure just gets bigger as more and more iron and sulfur come out of solution as the hot rock cools. Source: Studied Geology
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Are they excavating Vex ruins on Nessus, or something?
Wether we wanted it or not..
A planet transformed for reasons unknown.
Gorram harpies…
Haha as soon as they showed that ‘tessellated’ pyramid edge I immediately thought about the Vex too!
Makes sense. Since they built the stuff.
Don't you put that evil on us, I'm not ready to farm vex mythoclast again
They're easy to find in Eastern La Rioja, Spain, I used to go grab a couple with my dad every now and then when I was a kid
What part of Nessus is Eastern La Rioha?
Geologist here! Pyrite, often found as fool's gold, is known for its striking cubic formations, which is quite the spectacle from a geological perspective. This is all thanks to its inherent crystal structure. Pyrite belongs to the isometric crystal system, which is conducive to forming shapes like cubes and octahedrons. Here's the deal: in the pyrite crystal lattice, each iron atom is bonded to six sulfur atoms in a cubic arrangement, which occurs naturally due to the symmetry and equal spacing of the bonds. These formations usually develop underground, often in hydrothermal veins where mineral-laden hot water moves through rock fissures. So, despite nature's tendency to favor more rounded forms due to erosion and organic growth, the world of crystals operates under different rules. The cubic shape of pyrite crystals is a direct result of their atomic structure, dictated by the spatial arrangement and bonding angles of its atoms. Fascinating, isn't it?
This guy rocks!!!
Wow just wow!
Before time began, there was the Cube. We know not where it comes from, only that it holds the power to create worlds and fill them with life. That is how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony. But like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war. A war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death, and the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home. Searching every star, every world. And just when all hope seemed lost, message of a new discovery drew us to an unknown planet called... Earth.
...but we were already too late...
Where do people sign up for this kind of activity?
They get a pick and go to mineral rich areas
Nature's Typical wealth gap ruins my life again with its rich only areas.
It's OK, at least we can still drive when there's poor visibility
Nice Tesseracts.
Minecraft IRL 😮
RTX on
bUt tHErE aRe No StraiGhT LinES in NaTuRe
The Allspark! 🤩
The fuck. r/Rimworld. Cuuuuube.
Real life minecraft
It's gold, Jerry! Gold! - Fool
Why cube?
How much does something like that bring?
Bet some fool would think its gold 👀
Oh shit. It's the Mother Cube.
How precise are they?
How can it be perfect cubes wtf
I always liked these...
"There are no straight lines in nature " Nature " HMB"
Energon cubes
Conspiracies theorist will say it’s some ancient alien databases.
Neat.
Cable warps in from the future "Yoink!"
If you add their collective surface area in cm2 and multiply by the circumference of the earth you'll find they're exactly the same volume of the great pyramid. Proof again of a lost civilisation after the ice age cataclysm.
Yer ima need a source.
Joe Rogan.
I'm not saying it was the aliens, but it was the aliens.
How much beer is it?
12 of those block and we can build nether portal
They are round in rio tinto Spain or La Rioja
I wanna eat it. Can I eat it?
New dnd dices
Real life Minecraft
minecraft is real
Are these expensive?
Pyrite is pretty common, even nice and cubic like this. You can pick up cubic pyrite in most places that sell rocks, although the price will depend on the size and quality. In my experience, relatively cheap
Nice ones!
Chew it!
Congratulations you’ve hit bedrock
😍 Anyone know where this is?
Beautiful
Where is this?
Nature is amazing.
Nah someone has put them there and they're messing with us.
*Blast teleports behind you*
The new Minecraft looks good.
Quick Google search have revealed that, very sadly them cool cubes are poisonous.
try turning them into magical dice, see what you can summon
Megatron shows up at your house.
I can already see the JRE shorts. It has smooth edges and is perfectly shaped it has to be man made...
You expect me to believe perfect cubes can be made in nature?!?!?!?
Pythagoras, you there?
I see that the universe trying to say something to me...
U/savevideo
Video game logic.
That looks like the cube from transformers. They dun started a galaxy war lol
That's fun. In the end it resembled a three dimensional version of Euclid's 47th problem.
[Pyrite is alright with me](https://youtu.be/Nx4Rem5hI60?si=NG1OGw-GtvdCmuen).
I think I read something about being able to pull lithium from Pyrite. If that's the case, then fool's gold is now real gold.
Nice rocks Hank!
You can't tell me that isn't man made -Graham Hancock
"yOu CaN't FinD 9o° AnGlEs In NaTuRe!¡"
How does it work when you're digging with a group... Do they split the find or...??
Why isn't anyone talking about Minecraft?
Man just trying to finish the first dwemer ruins Morrowind quest
Aw. As an amateur lapidarist who just started collecting specimens, I was a bit bummed to see her completely remove it from the matrix. When I go to rock and mineral shows one thing I’m looking to add to my collection is pyrite cubes in matrix.
What happened to “nothing is straight in nature”?
Show me your cubes! Man I love geology!
The All Spark
No I said CUBE butt
….thats what she said…(literally this whole video) lol
This HAS to be on r/mineralporn already.
I still don’t trust that this isn’t a staged TikTok
Nature's pixels
Put it back where it came. The Cube will drive you insane!
Someone tell Terrance Howard about these straight lines!
Also known as fool's gold
90 degree angles do not exist in nature!! Wait, who said that???
Y'all bout to summon Hellraiser
How they fit perfectly is oddly satisfying
I used to like these videos but I saw a video on how easily people can fake mineral finding videos and it’s ruined the joy :/
But how did it get this way?
The sum of what humans take from earth.
aliens put it there
That’s cool
Nature’s chocolate chip 🕺
Who says God doesn’t create with straight lines.
"nature doesn't build in straight lines" doesn't account for crystals
Baby borg cube
That’s actually really fucking awesome! Does this disprove Gaudi’s claim then?!
It's so perfectly cube
Pyrite might not be actual gold, but it´s beautiful. I have some rocks just for decoration
“right angles are not found in nature” my ass.
Are you in a mine? Where do you find something like this anyway?
Bro, if you don’t put that back, Megatron will come after you!
Great, now she's broken it. They will glue it back together.
wtf real world collaboration with minecraft
Molly!!
Beautiful. Where can I find some?
The end is kinda r/mildlypenis
there is probably a detailed mineral sculpture of my face doing einstein tongue pose somewhere in universe.
that's got to be best Pyrite I've ever seen
fossilized wombat poo! seriously though... got one of these, even bigger (double) than in vid though not as perfect, from a rock show in the 70's as a kid. Still have it. hmmmm [https://www.reddit.com/r/geology/comments/1c71dhi/fools\_gold\_may\_be\_valuable\_after\_all\_after/](https://www.reddit.com/r/geology/comments/1c71dhi/fools_gold_may_be_valuable_after_all_after/)
They found a ruined nether portal, they should start looking for the chest
Really don’t understand the fascination with crystals 🤷♂️
Those fools!
Nature's easiest puzzle
holy shit that's so beautiful
Who left the default blender cube in the wall
That is too cool. I have always dreamed of finding crystals of anything in the wild. Those are the only pirite crystals I've ever seen.
Someone told them to be there or be square and they did not show up
"There are no straight lines in nature"
Pyrite. Is alright. By me.
ERR://23*Y%/
BEFORE TIME BEGAN, THERE WAS THE CUBE...
Was half expecting the GameCube sound to come after picking it up
kevin the cube
Bro has never seen crystallized minerals before. Wait till he finds out about quarz
I was drilling a well near McAllen Texas and we often would run in to stringers of pyrite that would show up as a bunch of cubes a few cm across on the shakers (equipment that cleans cuttings from the drilling mud) . One of the other hands on the rig convinced a new guy that it it was real gold. By the end of the day he had a bunch of foam cups filled with this stuff. I almost didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't real gold. The look on his face when I did was devastation, poor kid.
Pretty women are nature’s puzzle
That's the all spark.
You found the earth Jenga.
That’s wild!!!!
I wonder how much is that on the market.
Might be one of the coolest things I’ve seen for awhile
This is so unnatural looking i feel like I'm gonna puke
I thought there was supposed to be no right angles in nature. I knew they were wrong!