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18th and 19th century
- It became popular during the 18th and 19th century, particularly during the Victorian era as Queen Victoria wore Marcasite jewellery as a substitute for diamonds, which were so much more expensive. Most people could not afford real gemstones like diamonds so marcasite was a beautiful alternative and became affordable to the masses.
www.uneakboutique.co.uk/pages/the-history-of-marcasite-jewellery
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In the late medieval and early modern eras, the word "marcasite" meant all iron sulfides in general, including both pyrite and the mineral marcasite. [6] The narrower, modern scientific definition for marcasite as specifically orthorhombic iron sulfide dates from 1845. [4]
Sep 20, 2023 · Marcasite was used to create striking contrast in Art Deco jewellery, often paired with black onyx or mother-of-pearl. The combination of marcasite’s sparkle and the geometric precision of Art Deco design resulted in stunning, eye-catching pieces.
Dec 23, 2020 · In the 1920s, marcasite was used in the iconic ‘light/dark’ contrast of the Art Deco jewellery era alongside large gemstones like onyx and sapphire. It was often set alongside a large gemstone, the centre of the piece, with intricate detailing created by the marcasite around it.
Jan 18, 2022 · Marcasite is an instantly recognisable stone, creating unique and intricate designs. It has been used for millennia and is now often sought after in vintage jewellery. Marcasite has a high shine and was first used because of this property by the Ancient Egyptians.
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Despite marcasite's relatively low hardness and distinct cleavage, many cultures have worked this material into objects of beauty. The Ancient Greeks made jewelry from marcasite. The Incas of South America polished large slabs of it as decorative objects. Gem cutters in the Victorian Era faceted this material into stones with flat backs. This popul...
Marcasites leave a greenish black streak. However, never conduct a destructive streak test on a finished stone. You may find steel imitations of this material. However, steel may be magnetic while marcasite is not.
This mineral is abundant and found throughout the world. Notable sources of gem material include: 1. United States: Illinois; Kansas; Missouri; Oklahoma; Wisconsin. 2. United Kingdom, England: in chalk deposits along the coast and at Folkestone. 3. Austria; Bolivia; Czech Republic; France; Germany; Myanmar; Slovakia.
Since marcasite can react to moisture and release sulfuric acid, store specimens in low humidity, below 60%, and separate from other pieces. Avoid inhaling dust when cutting this material and wash your hands after handling. Marcasites are quite brittle. A sharp blow can easily crack a stone and loosen it in its setting. Because of its fragility and...
Jul 4, 2024 · Marcasite is a visually distinctive, semi-precious metallic stone and is used in jewellery as many tiny, faceted pieces, offering a subtle but beautiful sparkle. It has been used for hundreds of years but, in recent times, pyrite – also called Fool’s Gold – has been used in it’s place as it is chemically identical to marcasite.
marcasite jewellery designs are as popular today as they were in the 1920's. The name Marcasite in jewellery terms comes from the Arabic word for Pyrite, which is ‘Markaschatsa’. Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of the Incas and the Ancient Greeks.
