Ciobanu, C. L.C. L.CiobanuCook, N. J.N. J.CookSATOSHI UTSUNOMIYAKogagwa, M.M.KogagwaGreen, L.L.GreenGilbert, S.S.GilbertWade, B.B.Wade2026-03-312026-03-312012-08-01https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84866653209https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/736891Pyrite, the most abundant sulfide on Earth and a common component of gold deposits, can be a significant host for refractory gold. This is the first documentation of pore-attached, composite Au-telluride nanoparticles in "arsenic-free" pyrite. Trace elements mapping in pyrite from an intrusion-hosted Au deposit with orogenic overprint (Dongping, China) shows trails of tellurides overlapping Co-Ni-zonation. Intragranular microfracturing, anomalous anisotropy, and high porosity are all features consistent with devolatilization attributable to the orogenic event. The pyrite-hosted nanoparticles are likely the "frozen," solid expression of Te-rich, Au-Ag-Pb-bearing vapors discharged at this stage. Nanoparticle formation, as presented here, provides the "smallest-scale" tool to fingerprint Au-trapping during crustal metamorphism.Arsenic-free pyriteAu-(Ag)-telluridesDevolatilizationNanoparticlesjournal article10.2138/am.2012.4207