Old Is Marcasite Jewellery
For centuries, marcasite has been a gemstone of royalty. The glimmer of this gemstone, also known as fool’s gold, has adorned countless pieces of jewellery since ancient times. Today, marcasite is regaining popularity thanks to the trend for vintage jewellery. Its subtle sparkle and halloween-like elegance makes it the perfect stone for those looking for something a little more understated than diamonds but more elaborate than simple silver. It’s also a great stone for highlighting bolder gems like sapphires and emeralds.
The 18th and 19th century saw marcasite really take off, especially in the Victorian era. It was popularised by Queen Victoria who used it as a more mourning appropriate alternative to diamonds when her husband Prince Albert died. The Victorian era also saw more structured and geometric jewellery, which complimented the marcasite perfectly.
Marcasite is a soft and brittle mineral and can easily be scratched or cracked in high impact situations. To prevent this, it is important to handle marcasite with care and keep it away from harsh chemicals such as cleaners and silver baths. It is best to clean marcasite with a soft cloth in lukewarm water. Using toothpaste can also help as it contains chlorine and other chemicals that are safe for marcasite. It is also important to store marcasite in low humidity as it can react with moisture and release sulfuric acid.
When buying marcasite jewellery, it is important to check that you are purchasing genuine marcasite rather than pyrite. Pyrite has a similar appearance and is often mistaken for marcasite but it does not glitter as brightly or have the same sparkle. Genuine marcasite has a brassy-coloured glow that is more golden than silver.
How Old Is Marcasite Jewellery?
It is possible to find marcasite jewellery online but if you’re looking for genuine vintage pieces, it is essential to visit your local antique and brooch dealers as they will be able to tell the difference between real marcasite and pyrite. You can also visit Hong Factory’s jewelry booth at major international jewelry fairs throughout the year.
Hong Factory offers a range of marcasite rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants in a variety of different styles and ages. From the Victorian era to Art Deco, we have a wide selection of beautiful marcasite pieces that will make an elegant addition to your jewellery collection.
We use sterling silver to create our marcasite jewellery but we also work with other metals including rhodium, gold and platinum. These are also available in a number of different finishes to suit your personal style and preference.
Marcasite is a great stone for those looking to connect with their spiritual side as it has been attributed with meditative properties and the ability to aid in introspection. It is also a good stone for those who suffer from stress and anxiety as it has been said to help with relaxation and promote positive thinking. It is a great stone for students too as it has been linked to a sharpening of the mind and is said to help with concentration and focus.