Marcasite jewellery

Definition and Composition

• Marcasite jewellery is made using cut and polished pieces of pyrite as a gemstone.
• Pyrite and marcasite are chemically iron sulphide.
• Pyrite is more stable and less brittle than marcasite.
• Marcasite can react with moisture to form sulphuric acid.
• Pyrite is used instead of real marcasite in marcasite jewellery.

Making of Marcasite Jewellery

• Marcasite jewellery is made by setting small pieces of faceted pyrite into silver.
• Cheaper costume jewellery is made by gluing pieces of pyrite.
• Small pieces of cut steel can also be used to make similar-looking jewellery.
• The cut and polished marcasite pieces reflect light at different angles, giving it a sparkle.
• Thailand is one of the large producers of modern marcasite jewellery in silver.

History of Marcasite Jewellery

• Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of the ancient Greeks.
• It was particularly popular in the eighteenth century, the Victorian era, and with Art Nouveau jewellery designers.
• Marcasite and cut steel were used as replacements for diamonds when they were banned from public display in Switzerland in the 18th century.
• Marcasite became popular during Queen Victoria's mourning period after Prince Albert's death in 1861.
• Marcasite was favored as an understated alternative for the nobility.

References

• Thomas, Arthur (2008). Gemstones: Properties, Identification and Use. New Holland Publishers. p.121. ISBN1-84537-602-1.
• Hesse, Rayner W. (2007). Jewelrymaking Through History: An Encyclopedia. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.15. ISBN0-313-33507-9.
• Goldemberg, Rose Leiman (2000). Antique Jewelry: A Practical & Passionate Guide. iUniverse. p.116. ISBN0-595-08898-8.
• Clifford, Anne (1971). Cut-Steel and Berlin Iron Jewellery. Adams & Dart. p.24. ISBN9780239000699.
• Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marcasite jewellery.

Marcasite jewellery Data Sources