Pyrites Island is the largest of three small islands lying southeast of Gam Point

Gam Point

Gam Point is a rocky point 2 nautical miles southeast of False Round Point on the north coast of King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. The point is one of the features named Pyritic or Esther Islands by Scottish geologist David Ferguson in 1913-14...

 and forming the east side of Esther Harbor

Esther Harbor

Esther Harbour is a small harbour at the west side of Venus Bay, lying immediately west of Pyrites Island and south of Gam Point, on the north coast of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. The harbour was known to both American and British sealers as early as 1821. The sealing vessel...

, off the north coast of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands

South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, with a total area of . By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the Islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for...

. In 1913-14, the rocky extremity of Gam Point and the adjoining islands to the northwest and southeast were named Esther, Pyritis (sic) or Pyritic Islands by Scottish geologist David Ferguson

David Ferguson

David Ferguson is the name of:*David Ferguson, Dual Diagnosis Counsellor*David Ferguson *Dave Ferguson , British boxer*David Ferguson...

, who reported they were composed of pyrites and vein quartz. From Ferguson's description it appears that the ice cliff behind the Gam Point has advanced since 1914 so that this "island" is now joined to the mainland. The highest and most conspicuous of the remaining islands is the one here described. The name Pyrites Island was recommended by the United Kingdom Antarctic Place-Names Committee (UK-APC) in 1960 to avoid confusion with the other existing "Esther" names in the vicinity.