Thursday, May 30, 2013

What is Marcasite?

Iridescent Cluster of Marcasite Crystals
A lot of vintage jewelry, and vintage-looking jewelry, has marcasite in it.  Marcasite is really pretty, sort of a dark gunmetal to gold color, and is faceted and sparkly.  It has been used in jewelry since the time of the Ancient Greeks, and was very popular in the Victorian era, and in Art Nouveau jewelry.  In the early 20th Century, it was referred to as "black diamonds".   But what is marcasite?

Marcasite Sterling Band Ring in my Etsy Shop
Marcasite is actually "Fool's Gold" or Iron Pyrite!  Pyrite is more stable and less brittle than actual Marcasite, so it's used in jewelry. Actual "marcasite" is very similar to Fool's Gold, in that it is White Iron Pyrite---very similar but with a more fragile crystal structure. 

I didn't realize that Marcasite was actually Fool's Gold until today! 

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