| Marcasite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Minerals |
| Identification | |
| Color | Silver/Grey |
Marcasite jewellery isjewellery made using cut and polished pieces ofpyrite (fool's gold) as a gemstone, and not, as the name suggests, frommarcasite.[1]
Both pyrite and marcasite are chemically iron sulfide, but differ in their crystal structures, giving themdifferent physical properties. Pyrite is more stable and less brittle than marcasite. Marcasite can also react with moisture to formsulfuric acid. These are the reasons why pyrite is used instead of real marcasite in "marcasite" jewellery.
Marcasite jewellery is frequently made bysetting small pieces of faceted pyrite intosilver.[2] Cheapercostume jewellery is made by gluing pieces of pyrite rather than setting.[3] A similar-looking type of jewellery can be made from small pieces ofcut steel.[3][1] The cut and polished marcasite pieces reflect light at different angles from its different facets giving it a sparkle.[4]
Thailand is one of the large producers of modern marcasite jewellery in silver.[citation needed]
Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of theancient Greeks.[3] It was particularly popular in the eighteenth century, theVictorian era and withArt Nouveau jewellery designers.[3][2] Whendiamonds were banned from public display in Switzerland in the 18th century, marcasite, along with cut steel, was turned to as a replacement.[4]
When Prince Albert died in 1861,Queen Victoria entered a period of mourning, requiring her entire court to wear black and avoid opulent jewellery. Marcasite became popular as an understated alternative for thenobility.[citation needed]
