Marcasite

Marcasite is a fairly abundant, and hence a fairly inexpensive, stone used in jewelry making.

The composition of marcasite is iron sulphide. Iron sulphide crystallizes in the cubic system to form the marcasite stones used to make marcasite jewelry. This form of iron sulphide is called an iron pyrite.

Marcasite is mined all over the world. It is readily available in the chalk layers in England and in France. Imitation marcasite is also available on the market, but the cost of marcasite is so inexpensive that buying an imitation is largely unnecessary. Imitation marcasite has been crafted from glass, plastic, and steel.

The color of marcasite stones is most closely described as pale bronze. Marcasite has a grayish color about it, too. This pale and grayish color matches nicely silver tonal jewelry and antique tones. Marcasite has been used in jewelry making for a very long time, and is readily available in vintage jewelry pieces.

Some interesting aged and vintage marcasite pieces to look for include:

• vintage marcasite bracelet
• marcasite frog and lizard jewelry
• vintage marcasite pendants

The silvery-grayness of the marcasite makes the stone able to pair well with other fine gemstones. Some very nice pairings of marcasite with fine jewels are:

• amethyst and marcasite (the pale bronze and gray look particularly nice with the purple amethysts)
• marcasite and emerald (for marcasite, emerald cut stones are very nice)
• marcasite and onyx

Marcasite is used in all styles of jewelry, including the following:

• marcasite earrings
• marcasite pendants
• marcasite necklace chains
• marcasite rings
• marcasite beads

Marcasite spoon rings are popular particularly for men’s jewelry. Spoon rings are an older style of jewelry that is enjoying a resurgence of interest, but spoon rings are still scarce enough that they are not seen everywhere and are pieces of interest.

When buying marcasite jewelry, pay attention to marcasite clasps; marcasite can break more easily than harder gemstones and cannot take the abuse of falls, knocks, and crashes.

The online jewelry marketplace is ideally suited to the sale of marcasite. The gem varies less than other gemstones and has less varied value due to its abundance and affordability. The internet is a very good resource for buying both retail and wholesale marcasite jewelry.

Marcasite jewelry is an excellent option for fashion and costume jewelry. Its affordable price makes owning and wearing authentic marcasite gemstones an easy option for both formal and everyday jewelry wear.