Silver has always had a noble reputation. Excellent shine, flexibility, resistance to external influences and cleaning properties have made it an alternative even to gold.
Silver jewelry is unlikely to ever lose its popularity; for many centuries, along with them, products made from drop silver and marcasite have been in constant demand.
Earrings, rings, watches - all of this is decorated with crystals sparkling in the sun, reminiscent of a diamond and noble silver at the same time. Such decorations look unusual and very beautiful. Compared to gold and pure silver, they are inexpensive. What are they actually made of?
Marcasite - what kind of stones are these?
Marcasite is a natural mineral ranging in color from brass-yellow to shades of gray, green, and, less commonly, black.
The basic tone depends on the proportions of the inclusion of metals (cobalt, antimony, copper and others). When exposed to air, it oxidizes, causing a coating to appear on the surface of the stone - it shimmers in different colors. The stone is fragile, light, and can crumble or break from impacts or other mechanical influences. Marcasite is an amazing stone. Their extraction is complicated by an unusual property: in the open air, minerals begin to decompose. Therefore, in their original form, they are not used to create jewelry: before being used in jewelry, they are subjected to processing, after which they are no longer susceptible to air. Jewelry with properly processed minerals and proper care can last for centuries.
The minerals form as crystals in sandy sedimentary rocks or hydrothermal vents and are considered rare, but remain widely available to consumers. Jewelry with marcasites is relatively inexpensive, for example, silver earrings with these stones can be bought for 3-4 thousand rubles, where the lion's share of the cost comes from silver. Drop silver is rarely combined with expensive metals, as well as with expensive precious stones.
Physico-chemical properties of stone
| Property | Description |
| Formula | FeS2 |
| Impurity | As, Sb, Co, Cu, Tl, Bi |
| Hardness | 6 — 6,5 |
| Density | 4.8 - 4.9 g/cm³ |
| Kink | Stepped and uneven |
| singonia | Rhombic |
| Cleavage | Imperfect |
| Shine | Metal |
| Transparency | Opaque |
| Color | Brass yellow |
Why drip silver? Is this stone made of silver?
No, this mineral is actually iron sulfide with numerous additives. The stone consists of cobalt, iron, arsenic, lead, sulfur, thallium, bismuth and other elements. It is called drop silver to increase attention to the mineral, because it is a rather beautiful and unusual name. Outwardly, it even looks like silver: the mineral has a cold shine and is often used in jewelry in the form of small droplets. In Arabic, "Marcasite" means "fire stone".
Use of stone by modern craftsmen
Thanks to the imagination of oriental masters, every modern fashionista has the opportunity to emphasize her individuality by choosing bracelets, rings, earrings, pendants, pendants, brooches made of silver and marcasite. Each product is a real work of art; the craftsmen use not only classics, but also plant and zoological motifs.
The structure of marcasite is favorably emphasized by products made in the form of snakes, owls, and elephants. Marcasite and silver complement each other perfectly; agates, pearls, onyxes, emeralds, turquoise, and carnelian serve as decoration for trinkets.
Additionally attract buyers:
- low price of products - both silver and marcasite have a low cost, the high price of some items is explained by the fame of the brand and the popularity of the designer who worked on it;
- the healing and rejuvenating qualities of marcasite in combination with silver - this stone helps in curing diseases of the eyes and spleen, and alleviates depressive conditions;
- magical properties that the mineral has - children wear a silver amulet with marcasite set into it as protection.
Marcasite in jewelry
The stone is best combined with silver; it is rarely framed in more expensive metals. Looks great next to pearls, turquoise, agate, carnelian, emerald, and onyx. Marcasite is used in both women's and men's jewelry. Rings, earrings, brooches and bracelets are created with it. True, bracelets and rings are rarely made due to the fragility of the stone. Jewelry with this mineral is usually inexpensive, the exception to the rule is jewelry of original design. Radiant pyrite is also used to decorate stage costumes.
Common types of cuts are pyramid and round bevel. It is in these cuts that the stone best demonstrates its beauty. However, some manufacturers are experimenting, in particular, the Swarovski company introduced drop silver in the honeycomb, dome, and checkerboard cuts. These types of treatments demonstrated the magnificent shine and iridescence of the stones.
History of appearance and composition
In past centuries, marcasite was used as a glass (for striking sparks), and also due to its reflective function as mirrors.
Also, radiant pyrite was used in the production of weapons. And only from the 17th century jewelry craftsmen began to recognize it as a stone for finishing and creating jewelry.
Different shades of the mineral from gray-green to ebonite black indicate the inclusion of elements such as selenium, thallium, gold, copper, antimony and others.
Small multi-colored inclusions make marcasite iridescent and somewhat similar to diamonds.
The oldest drip silver jewelry discovered in Ancient Egypt dates back to the 6th century. BC. And in the II-III centuries. AD archaeologists excavated another one in the Indus Valley.
“Inca stone” is how a jeweler from France dubbed marcasite in the 18th century. An Aztec mirror made of drip silver has been preserved in the collections of the Museum in Paris; it depicts the God Quetzalcoatl.
Healing properties of marcasite
The ability to help in the fight against various ailments has long been attributed to the Marcasites. It is believed that they can alleviate the course of eye diseases, help with disorders of the nervous system, and relieve anxiety and depression. If a person is going through a difficult period in life, when he is subject to a lot of stress and emotional stress, folk healers will advise him to purchase jewelry with marcasite - this unusual stone will have a positive effect on his general condition and mood.
Since ancient times, people have tried to provide jewelry with drip silver for a newborn child. They say that such jewelry can protect against the evil eye and any evil influence. It is important that the decoration is always near the baby when there are strangers in the house or the child is on the street, in a public place. Marcasite will also be useful for older children: it gives children self-confidence and relieves them of fears.
It is said that radiant pyrite can relieve joint pain and speed up the healing of wounds. The mineral is crushed into powder and applied to wounds, sore eyes, and inflammatory elements on the skin. It is credited with the ability to prolong youth and preserve female beauty; in particular, the beautiful Cleopatra valued the mineral for this property.
Where is marcasite mined?
The largest deposits in which the mineral marcasite is mined are located on the American continent. Thus, pink crystals, similar to the dawn sky, are supplied to the market from deposits in the American state of Massachusetts and Salt Spring Island, Canada. In American and Mexican California, light-colored specimens are often found.
America boasts a large number of marcasite deposits.
Minerals from other parts of the world may also be of interest to jewelers. Often beautiful crystals are found in the following countries:
- Australia;
- Sweden;
- Tanzania;
- Russian Federation.
Tanzanian stones are famous for their bright red hue. In this country, it is believed that the Marcasite is the blood of warriors who died defending their land. As for Russian specimens, they are usually found in the Kursk magnetic anomaly. Such minerals are highly valued by private collectors.
The magical properties of marcasite
This mineral can “charge” its owner with powerful emotional force. The stone exhibits its properties best in men's hands, although women can also experience its positive influence. When a person begins to be “friends” with marcasite, changes begin in his life - sadness and pessimism go away, emptiness is replaced by good spirits.
They say that the power of radiant pyrite is so great that it is dangerous to interact with it around the clock. Experts recommend wearing jewelry and talismans with drip silver for a maximum of 3 days in a row, and then take a break for 2-3 days or even more if you feel the need. If you break this rule and wear a product with radiant pyrite continuously, then the person will become overly emotional and restless.
Important: radiant pyrite will help only sincere, honest people. If its owner harbors evil within himself and acts dishonestly towards other people, then Marcasite will not help. This is a stone with character; it gives its powerful power only to those who deserve it.
They say that for the best manifestation of the capabilities of marcasite, it should be worn without “neighbors”: remove jewelry with other stones and leave them in the box. But there is no strict prohibition here: if you do not feel discomfort when wearing jewelry with different stones, then do not limit yourself.
Marcasite is suitable for Aries, Sagittarius, Scorpio. Cancers and Pisces are advised to avoid contact with the stone.
The new is like the well-forgotten old - about the history of stone
In the East and North America
The history of the beginning of the use of marcasite is lost in the mists of time. It is known that in ancient times this mineral was used to make fire. The ancient Indians used marcasite to make mirrors. In modern museums in France and Lima, as confirmation of this, marcasite mirrors with the image of the Aztec deity, Quetzalcoatl, are kept.
They began to use it as jewelry much later, when attention was paid to its decorative properties. Information has been preserved about the use of marcasite in ancient Persia and Egypt for the manufacture of women's jewelry.
During archaeological excavations in Iran, weapons and interior items inlaid with marcasite are still found.
Europe, Middle Ages
In medieval Europe, the estate flourished, regulating relations in all areas of life, imposing restrictions and prohibitions, including on the wearing of precious stones. Representatives of the lower classes, even when they became rich, did not have direct access to high society; their wives and daughters were forbidden to wear noble diamonds. Jewelers of that time came to the aid of rich merchants, who solved the problem and replaced the diamond with marcasite. This stone looked especially good in combination with silver.
The widespread use of the mineral attracted the attention of representatives of the upper classes to marcasite. The fine work of jewelers combined with the decorative properties of the stone made marcasite fashionable. Increased demand in the aristocratic environment gave rise to its use not only for women's jewelry, but also for decorating umbrellas, watches and garters.
War and peace of the 19th – 20th centuries
In the 19th century, during the Napoleonic wars, the countries that opposed the European barbarians experienced an unprecedented rise in patriotism. Men went to war without fear, women without regret donated gold and diamonds to the needs of the army. The government organized the issuance of iron jewelry in return for the donated jewelry, the highlight of which was marcasite. These trinkets became a source of special pride for patriotic women of that time.
It remained popular until the end of the 30s of the last century. Silver items with marcasite inserts were made according to sketches by famous designers. Fashionistas enjoyed decorating their toilets with a variety of silver items interspersed with this stone. Jewelers have achieved amazing results by combining marcasite with other precious and semi-precious stones.
The history of the popularity of the stone was interrupted by the 2nd World War. During this difficult time, all the mined marcasite was used for the needs of the military industry in order to produce sulfuric acid from it. After the war, jewelers again remembered this decorative stone.
In the mid-twentieth century, in the wake of nostalgia for prosperous pre-war times, silver items with marcasite inclusions, made according to sketches from the 1930s, came back into fashion. But marcasite in silver received a real new life from the hands of Thai jewelers at the end of the twentieth century.
How to care for a product with marcasite
Untreated stone cannot be stored for long periods of time. But if the jewelry is well-processed and properly cared for, then it can be preserved for posterity. Products with marcasite can be stored for hundreds of years, they can be passed on by inheritance as a family heirloom. Here is the mandatory care plan:
- regularly wipe the stones with a soft cloth - first wet, then dry;
- periodically treat with a silver cleaning solution;
- avoid ultrasonic cleaning;
- store away from heat sources, do not leave in direct sunlight;
- products with radiant pyrites should not be washed under a powerful stream of water, nor should they be immersed in hot water;
- store separately from other jewelry, best of all - in special fabric bags, in a closed sectional box.
Jewelry with marcasite requires careful handling. They must be protected from impacts and excess moisture - do not throw jewelry on the table, do not leave it in the bathroom, remove it before bathing. A careless blow may cause the mineral to crack and the jewelry will be irrevocably damaged. Alcohol-containing solutions are not suitable for caring for drip silver items - read the ingredients of cleaning products before using them. For your neatness and careful attitude, marcasites will reward you with durability and unchanging beauty!
