Marcasite has been used decoratively and in jewellery pieces since ancient times. It has a vintage and antique look, whether the piece of jewellery is old or new. Marcasite gives a timeless feel to a piece of jewellery and sets very well in sterling silver, along with other gemstones.
Marcasite is a natural stone that has a pale bronze colour with a metallic lustre. It is an opaque stone and has a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5. It is an iron sulphide mineral and is found in sedimentary or metamorphic rocks.
Historical Use Of Marcasite Jewellery.
In ancient times, marcasite was used by the Greeks, Incas and Egyptians to make jewellery and adornment pieces. The ancient Greek civilisation prized the use of marcasite for elaborate jewellery statement pieces. Marcasite pieces have been discovered in Inca burial chambers. It has been used by shamans throughout the ages for its healing qualities.
Marcasite became popular for the common folk as a diamond substitute. Diamonds were obviously extremely expensive. However, since marcasite was much more affordable and still looked quite beautiful and sparkly, it began to gain more popularity as more people were able to wear it.
Marcasite gained its vintage origin during the Victorian era when it was worn by Queen Victoria while she was in mourning for her husband in 1861. This was instead of wearing elaborate diamonds which may not have been appropriate. From this moment, the upper and middle class followed suit and marcasite jewellery became very fashionable.
Marcasite Or Pyrite?
The use of marcasite for jewellery during ancient times was achievable because marcasite was a durable mineral that could stand the test of time. However, the mineral they were in fact using was actually pyrite. Pyrite used to be called marcasite back in ancient times. It wasn’t until the 19th century that marcasite was given its proper name of pyrite. Although, in the jewellery industry, pyrite is still referred to as marcasite as it is the same mineral that was used back in ancient times.
Yes, this does sound very confusing. Just remember that marcasite and pyrite are both iron sulphide minerals. Back in ancient times, all iron sulphides were referred to as marcasite. Hopefully, the next section explaining the difference between the characteristics of the two minerals may help you understand further.
What's The Difference Between The Marcasite Mineral And The Pyrite Mineral?
Marcasite is a brittle mineral and is often confused with pyrite (marcasite in jewellery). It’s important to know the properties of the true marcasite and why it can’t be used in jewellery making. Marcasite and pyrite are both iron sulphide minerals and the only difference between the two is the crystal structure. Marcasite has an orthorhombic crystal structure while pyrite has a cubic crystal structure.
It’s this structural difference that gives rise to different characteristics, mainly being that marcasite is very brittle in comparison to pyrite. True marcasite cannot be used in jewellery as it will crumble into a powder. So remember, the marcasite used in making jewellery is actually pyrite and this is the same mineral that has been used in jewellery making for centuries. It is extremely durable and that is why you can still find very old marcasite jewellery pieces in good condition.
Marcasite and Sterling Silver Earrings.
When marcasite and sterling silver are paired together in a pair of earrings, they complement each other in several ways. Firstly, marcasite has a darker, more subdued shine that contrasts beautifully with the bright, white shine of sterling silver. This creates an interesting visual effect that draws the eye.
In addition, marcasite and sterling silver are both versatile materials that can be crafted into a variety of intricate designs. This means that jewellers can use both materials to create beautiful and unique earring designs that combine the best qualities of each material.
The combination of marcasite and sterling silver creates a timeless and sophisticated look that is both elegant and versatile. This is why they often go so well together in a pair of earrings.
Conclusion
So, now that you know what marcasite is and how it’s been used in jewellery making for centuries, you can be confident in buying marcasite jewellery. It’s a beautiful and affordable alternative to other precious stones like diamonds, without sacrificing on quality.