Question

Is pyrite a fracture or cleavage

Answer 1

Pyrite, also known as "fool's gold," exhibits a characteristic crystalline structure and typically has perfect cleavage in three directions, although it is not always easily observable due to its crystal habit. In most practical terms, pyrite is more often noted for its conchoidal to uneven fracture when broken, rather than for well-defined cleavage characteristics. So, while it does have cleavage, it is more commonly recognized for its fracture when assessing its physical properties.