Should I split this pyrite lump from charmouth?

[Marlowe]

I found this unusually shaped lump of pyrite in Charmouth UK (Jurassic) and am wondering what it will look like inside. Here is the lump in question:

 

 

I recently split the below lump, found in Folkestone UK (Albian), And this is what it looked like inside:

 Will I get a similar result with the new lump as with the old one or would twatting it with a hammer be a waste of my time?

[Tidgy's Dad]

Probably a waste of time. 

However, I'd give it a whack anyway. 

You never know................

[caldigger]

The question here is, do you find the whole unbroken piece to be estheticly pleasing enough to keep as is? Otherwise you've got nothing to lose and ending your curiosity to gain.

Give'er a whack!

[Marlowe]

Well it looks quite nice as it is but it could look much better or it could just look dusty and grey. 

[LiamL]

It paid off with that Folkestone lump so you never know!

[Innocentx]

Either way, it has interesting form. Curious if it would even split nicely.

The other split quite well, but the lumpy one might not.

Please post outcome if you do it.

[JohnBrewer]

I quite like it as it is. It has a certain look about it! Do remember to coat your pyrite with something otherwise it will turn to dust over time 

[Coco]

Pyrite or  ... marcassite !

 

Coco

[Marlowe]

11 hours ago, Coco said:

Pyrite or  ... marcassite !

 

Coco

The folkestone one ,on quick internet search, does look like marcassite but the charmouth one doesn't so it's probably not worth whacking, but what about this massive lump?

Some sort of expert at a fossil festival told me that if I broke it, it would explode and hurt me. Does anyone know for sure if this will happen? Is it pyrite or marcassite?! Is whatever's inside worth the effort?!?!

[Marlowe]

-Found isle of white I think

[ynot]

6 hours ago, Marlowe said:

Some sort of expert at a fossil festival told me that if I broke it, it would explode and hurt me.

Beware of rocks laden with nitroglycerin!!!

I doubt it would "explode", but pieces are known to "fly" off when hitting rocks. Also a rock like yours could fracture into many pieces. Lighter hits may have better results.

You should always wear eye protection when hitting rocks.

6 hours ago, Marlowe said:

Is it pyrite or marcassite?! Is whatever's inside worth the effort?!?!

Pyrite is brite metallic yellow colored mineral (like "gold"), marcassite is a metallic "silver" colored mineral.

Both will oxidize to limenite - a rust colored iron oxide.

The only way to know is to do it.

[Aurelius]

Pyrite is a particularly unpleasant substance, in that it's full of sulphur. If you break it make sure you do it outside and don't breathe in any dust that may result.

[Marlowe]

7 hours ago, Aurelius said:

Pyrite is a particularly unpleasant substance, in that it's full of sulphur. If you break it make sure you do it outside and don't breathe in any dust that may result.

Thanks for the warning!

Might the sulfur be at high pressure? maybe that is what the guy at the fossil festival was talking about.

[caldigger]

1 hour ago, Marlowe said:

Thanks for the warning!

Might the sulfur be at high pressure? maybe that is what the guy at the fossil festival was talking about.

Seriously doubt that!  He likely was just warning about the rock shrapnel from breaking into many pieces.

9 hours ago, Aurelius said:

Pyrite is a particularly unpleasant substance, in that it's full of sulphur. If you break it make sure you do it outside and don't breathe in any dust that may result.

Just don't break it on a pile of coal and saltpeter.