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
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/marcasite-jewellery |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcasite_jewellery |
| Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6756017 |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0b6k3p_ |