Marcasite is a common iron sulfide that can be found worldwide. In Victorian times, marcasite was popular for jewelry and today, is still used for the same purpose. Marcasite bracelets, pendants, earrings and rings can be found presently, at a moderate price. The name marcasite derives from the Arabic or Moorish word for pyrite and other minerals, such as bismuth and antimony. Marcasite is a polymorph of pyrite. The two are shaped differently, and have different structures within, however they share the same chemistry. Until 1814, the two stones were constantly confused. However a French mineralogist, RJ Hauy finally was able to figure out a way to distinguish the two. Marcasite is actually paler in color than pyrite, and is referred to as white iron pyrite. Marcasite is also more rare than pyrite.
In the Middle Ages, marcasite and pyrite were both used as medicines. We now see marcasite used in a lot of old costume jewelry. Marcasite is a pale bronze yellow or brass color, with dark gray-green streaks. It rates a 6 to 6.5 on the hardness scale, is opaque, and has a beautiful glittering metallic luster. It is commonly cut into small rose cuts. Twinning is common in marcasite crystals, and can produce a spearhead shaped form, which has been mistaken for Roman weapons.
Marcasite is not a stone that will last a long time. With exposure to air, it oxidizes easily and crumbles, deteriorating to dust. Marcasite in collections will eventually disintegrate over time. Marcasite is found as single crystals, concretions, or as replacement minerals in fossils. It is also found in near surface deposits, such as sedimentary rocks like chalk, limestone and clay. It is deposited in hydrothermal veins that contain zinc and lead ores.
Marcasite has been found at Dover and Derbyshire, England, Carlsbad and Rammelsberg, Germany, as well as various locations in the Czech Republic, Russia, China, France, Romania, Peru and Mexico. In the United States, marcasite is mined in Hardin County, Illinois, Grant County, Wisconsin, and Joplin, Missouri. Marcasite protects from negative energies. It teaches us that negativity drains our strength, and helps us to forget about emotional scars, hatred and grudges.
