Marcasite or radiant pyrite is a common mineral, iron sulfide. It may contain antimony, arsenic, cobalt, bismuth, thallium and copper in small quantities. In its chemical composition, marcasite resembles polymorphic pyrite, but they have different structures.

Description, colors and varieties of marcasite

Sometimes this mineral is called “drop silver”, although it does not contain silver. The stone got its name because of its metallic luster. Marcasite appears as a massive, opaque crystal. Its color contains grayish, sometimes pink, dark pink or reddish shades. Red crystals are often used in jewelry; they can be cut.

Crystals of other shades are also found - from green to black. There are minerals that are orange-yellow in color with a greenish tint. All stones have a metallic luster, but after oxidation, due to exposure to atmospheric air, a multi-colored coating appears on the surface.

A variety of marcasite is spectropyrite, which has a rainbow color. Marcasite can easily be confused with pyrite, especially if the crystal edges do not appear. Marcasite can be distinguished from pyrite by the smell of sulfur.

Stone deposit

The main deposits of the stone are the USA, Canada, Russia, Australia, Africa and Sweden:

  • the pink mineral is mined in Massachusetts, USA, and Salt Spring Island, Canada;
  • medium- and light-colored stones are mined in California;
  • red crystals are found in Tanzania, Africa;
  • material for jewelery cutting in the form of rectangular crystals in galena comes from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, and occasionally from Franklin, New Jersey, USA and Longbahn, Sweden;
  • collection samples of stone are found in the Kursk magnetic anomaly, Russia.

Medicinal properties

Marcasite is believed to have healing properties. It is able to relieve stress and treat depression. This mineral helps with some eye diseases. It relieves joint and muscle pain, for which the stone must be applied to sore joints and damaged muscles.

Healers claim that marcasite heals purulent abscesses. Powder from this mineral promotes rapid resorption of tumors and eliminates inflammatory processes. It is also a strong antiseptic, disinfects, promotes rapid healing of wounds, and eliminates skin rashes.

Amulets made from radiant pyrite are suitable for people who have skin problems, including ulcerative lesions. Marcasite crystals are excellent for toning people during nervous exhaustion and poor health. At the same time, golden-colored minerals are considered the most healing. They harmonize the internal state, reduce nervous excitability, eliminate panic attacks and fear. The crystal has a calming effect on the nervous system, normalizing its functioning, and charges it with positive energy for a long time.

Previously, marcasite was hung around the necks of children when they were hysterical. This helped calm the child, he stopped crying, and his fearfulness disappeared.

Magic properties

The mineral has pronounced magical properties. In the Middle Ages it was often used by alchemists.

Marcasite is a masculine stone. It is believed that it is capable of giving its owner significant emotional strength. For this reason, the stone should not be worn on you for more than three days in a row. Otherwise, such increased emotionality can harm the owner of the amulet. Unlike other similar talisman stones, the stone cannot stand proximity to other gems. After wearing marcasite, it is better to remove jewelry with other stones.

It is also believed that the mineral should not be worn by those who are hypersensitive, otherwise the person risks developing negative character traits.

Marcasite can become an amulet or talisman only for those who are pure in soul and heart. He will be an excellent assistant for a practicing magician. Marcasite will help its owner overcome all doubts and fears, become more self-confident, and take a leading position in his environment.

However, you need to keep in mind that this is a very capricious stone that is not suitable for everyone. It should be worn only by open, sincere, kind people. The mineral will bring good luck to such owners and endow it with its magical powers.

A man who wears a stone becomes more reasonable and brave. But it is worth remembering safety measures and not wearing the mineral for more than three days, as this leads to unnecessary anxiety.

Centuries ago, marcasite beads were also used to protect babies from the evil eye.

Meaning of zodiac signs

Experts have determined that marcasite is under the protection of planets such as Mars and Neptune, which endowed it with extraordinary strength and energetic power. It follows from this that the mineral will be especially useful for people who were born under certain zodiac signs. These signs are Aries, Sagittarius and Scorpio. By choosing to wear jewelry with this mineral, you can improve not only your inner feeling, but also your life in general. Sagittarius, Aries and Scorpio will get along well with this capricious stone and will even improve their health with its help.

But there are signs for which wearing marcasite is strictly contraindicated - these are Cancer and Pisces. They should beware of this mineral, as it can bring them misfortune. In relation to other signs of the zodiac, Marcasite is neutral.

The eastern calendar does not give instructions regarding the wearing and influence of marcasite stone on people born in a certain year.

Applications of marcasite

They tried to use Marcasite for construction purposes as an additive to cement, but the attempts failed. The mineral is very unstable in atmospheric conditions, so using it in construction is more dangerous than pyrite. Marcasite is used in the process of producing sulfuric acid.

The mineral is extremely fragile and quickly deteriorates when exposed to air and water. But, despite the difficulties in processing, the stone is used in jewelry.

Fluorite Chalcocine Chalcopyrite, etc.

Marcasite is a common mineral, sulfide, one of the polymorphic varieties of natural iron sulfide. Obsolete syn. - "radiant pyrite".

Content (in%): Fe- 46.6; S - 53.4; impurities of arsenic, antimony, cobalt, thallium, bismuth, and copper are present in small quantities.
Slightly soluble in HCl, and in HNO3 - with great difficulty. In air it tends to decompose (the faster and more intensely, the higher the air humidity) with the formation of iron sulfates and the release of H2SO4, which also quickly decomposes the accompanying sulfides and carbonates. Under conditions of lack of oxygen, native sulfur can also form during the destruction of marcasite.

Main diagnostic signs:
In aggregates and in nonspecific crystal forms, the mineral marcasite is externally indistinguishable from pyrite. For example, a radiant cake, which the Americans call “Dollar”, or black sooty masses. Often nodules offered to collectors as marcasite are pyrite or mixed (with marcasite tending toward the outer layer).
Other minerals that are easily confused with marcasite differ from it in the following ways:
chalcopyrite - lower hardness (3.5-4) and more intense yellow color;
cobaltine - lower hardness (3.5) and a different crystal shape (like pyrite);
pyrrhotite - lower hardness (3.5-4.5) and darker color;
gold - lower hardness (2.5-3) and yellow color of the line.

Crystallizes from slightly acidic solutions under reducing conditions, usually at lower temperatures than pyrite. Formed in hydrothermal deposits along with pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and other sulfides; often replaces pyrite and pyrrhotite in the oxidation zone of sulfide ores. In sedimentary rocks, it is distributed mainly in the form of nodules in limestones, coal-bearing sandy-clay deposits, shales and marine clays.
Place of Birth

Marcasite is found much less frequently than pyrite and, unlike pyrite, never forms large deposits in the form of continuous ores. It is widely distributed in small quantities in sedimentary rocks in many regions of Russia, for example, coal-bearing deposits of the Moscow Lignite Basin in the Tula Region. and Kuri-Kamenskoye and Troitse-Bainovskoye deposits of clayey sediments east of Yekaterinburg. Of the hydrothermal deposits, the Blavinskoe deposit (Orenburg region, Southern Urals) has the largest amount of marcasite, where it is found in the form of sporadically distributed fine-crystalline aggregates in paragenesis with quartz, pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and wurtzite. Well-formed large crystals were found in hydrothermal deposits in Germany (Claustal and Freiberg deposits).
Application

It is used along with pyrite to produce sulfuric acid. Alchemists of the Middle Ages used the term "marcasitae" to designate pyrite and sulfur compounds in general. In France in the 18th-19th centuries. Faceted pyrite was sold as inserts in cheap jewelry under the name “marcasite,” but they learned to distinguish between marcasite and pyrite only in the 19th century. In Prussia, during the Napoleonic Wars of 1813-1814, in return for the jewelry made of precious metals and stones donated to equip the troops, ladies were given iron ones, often signed “Gold gab ich fur Eisen, 1813” (“Exchanged gold for iron, 1813”). And pyrite inserts, called “marcasite,” due to their bright color and metallic luster, served as a suitable complement to such jewelry, giving them a unique, sophisticated flavor. It caught on, and subsequently the fashion for such jewelry arose in France, from where it spread throughout the world. The material used in jewelry is pyrite, as it would be more correct to call it.

Today, marcasite is also highly valued. One of the museums in Paris houses a mirror made from this unusual material.

Marcasite is a stone for those who do not like monotony. This is all due to the fact that this mineral changes its shade under the influence of light, i.e. Marcasite looks different in different lighting conditions.

It is used very often in the jewelry industry. It is most often framed in silver. With rare exceptions, this stone is combined with gold and other precious metals. The mineral is widely used in the manufacture of pendants, earrings, and rings. Bracelets are not made from marcasite very often due to its fragility.

Marcasite is also used in the manufacture of expensive souvenirs, which can be very different in shape.

Properties of the mineral

  • Origin of name: Arabic or Moorish name, from pyrite and similar pyrites of uncertain origin.
  • Opening year: known since ancient times
  • Thermal properties: P. tr. on coal it burns with a blue flame, releasing SO2 and turning into red Fe2O3. In recovery flame fuses into a dark magnetic ball in the closed. tr. gives sublimate S and residue FeS
  • IMA status: valid, first described before 1959 (before IMA)
  • Typical impurities: Cu,As
  • Strunz (8th edition): 2/D.20-10
  • Hey's CIM Ref.: 3.9.4
  • Dana (7th edition): 2.12.2.1
  • Dana (8th edition): 2.12.2.1
  • Molecular Weight: 119.98
  • Cell parameters: a = 4.436Å, b = 5.414Å, c = 3.381Å
  • Attitude: a:b:c = 0.819:1:0.624
  • Number of formula units (Z): 2
  • Unit cell volume: V 81.20 ų
  • Twinning: usually by (101) - cockscomb, less often by (011)
  • Point group: mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
  • Space group: Pnnm
  • Density (calculated): 4.875
  • Density (measured): 4.887
  • Pleochroism: strong
  • Type: anisotropic
  • Optical anisotropy: strong, yellow to green
  • Reflected color: creamy white, light yellowish white
  • Selection form: occurs in the form of tabular, short-columnar, bipyramidal, lance-shaped, needle-shaped crystals. The main simple forms are: (101), (110), (010), (130), (111), (100), etc. comb intergrowths are known that arise as a result of multiple twinning. Aggregates of the mineral are radial, kidney-shaped; powdery (black deposits), pseudomorphoses according to org. remnants
  • USSR taxonomy classes: Sulfides
  • Chemical formula: FeS 2
  • Syngony: rhombic
  • Color: From bronze, brass-yellow (a greenish tint is possible) to almost white when freshly chipped. Marcasite is characterized by a red-yellow-blue tarnish.
  • Trait color: black
  • Shine: metal
  • Transparency: opaque
  • Cleavage: average by (101)
  • Kink: uneven stepped
  • Hardness: 6
  • Fragility: Yes

Photo of the mineral

Articles on the topic

  • Marcasite or radiant pyrite
    When struck, marcasite smells of sulfur and emits sparks. You can often see a brownish crust of oxidation and weathering on it.

Deposits of the mineral Marcasite

  • Belorechenskoye field
  • Russia
  • Republic of Adygea

Marcasite stone has been known for its wonderful properties for many centuries. Otherwise it is called “drop silver” or “iron pyrite”. There is no silver in its composition, but it shines no worse than a noble metal. The stone is considered the patron saint of men and can cure its owner from many diseases.

History of the origin of the stone

In the past, marcasite was often confused with pyrite. In 1814, geologist Wilhelm von Haidinger proved that these minerals were different and described their individual properties and characteristics. The second name of the stone is “radiant pyrite.” It was called that because of its yellow color.

Marcasite has been used as an ornamental stone since ancient civilizations. Tribal leaders decorated themselves with pyrites; they presented it to the gods as a gift in order to achieve favor.

The greatest Empress Maria Feodorovna was partial to this stone and wore jewelry with it all her life. The famous Queen of Egypt Cleopatra also loved products made from marcasite and believed that it preserved her youth and beauty.

Field and production

Large deposits of stone are very rare. Small deposits are found in sedimentary rocks throughout Russia. In the Southern Urals and Adygea, marcasite is mined from geothermal springs.

The mineral is found in Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Austria. There are deposits of stone in America, Canada, Africa and Sweden. The pink mineral is found in Massachusetts. Lighter specimens are found in California. The red gem is mined in Tanzania.

Colors and varieties

The following colors are found among the varieties of pyrite:

  1. grey;
  2. black;
  3. green;
  4. dark pink;
  5. red;
  6. yellow;
  7. orange.

All of them have a characteristic reflection and are completely opaque. There are specimens of unusual shapes that have imprints of tree branches or insects. The stone has a subspecies - spectropyrite. It has a rainbow color and is actively used by jewelers.

physical characteristics

The stone contains impurities of non-ferrous and heavy metals. They affect the color of the mineral and enter rock deposits from hydrothermal solutions. The main components are sulfur and iron.

Additionally, it includes lead, bismuth, copper, cobalt and arsenic. The stone has a metallic luster, conchoidal fracture, and depth of shade. The hardness of marcasite occupies the 6th line on the Mohs scale, its density is 4.9 g per cm3. Chemical formula: FeS2.

Healing properties of the stone

Lithotherapists talk about the healing properties of the stone and its ability to combat problems such as:

  • psoriasis;
  • fractures;
  • burns;
  • inflammation;
  • eye diseases;
  • skin warts;
  • stress;
  • depression;
  • joint pain;
  • skin ulcers.

The gem promotes the speedy healing of postoperative sutures, helps get rid of panic and fear, relieves swelling and heals purulent wounds well. It is advised to apply pyrite to sore joints and muscles. The powder from it has an antibacterial and disinfecting effect.

In lithotherapy, marcasite is highly respected because of its ability to normalize the balance of hormones, provide the body with nutrients, strengthen the defenses, and eliminate fatigue. Experts advise using golden gems for treatment; cold-colored stones are less effective. They are especially suitable for people who have skin problems.

The magical properties of marcasite

Physical contact of the mineral with a person will increase the strength of its owner, make him more confident and purposeful. The owner of a marcasite amulet will be protected from evil forces, troubles and even death. It is not recommended to wear the stone for more than three days, otherwise activity will be replaced by fussiness, all efforts will be in vain, and wit will turn into pedantry.

It is useful to keep marcasite in the child's room. It will help cope with children's stubbornness, discontent and irritation. If you hang beads or a pendant with a stone on your baby, his fear will disappear.

  1. climber;
  2. rescuer;
  3. firefighter;
  4. sailor;
  5. pilot;
  6. stewardess;
  7. military;
  8. trainer;
  9. stuntman.

A product made from marcasite will be an excellent souvenir for any man. The stone will give its owner strength and energy, protect against nervous experiences, improve health, and protect against damage and the evil eye. The owner of the talisman will gain prudence, courage and emotional strength.

Individuals with an apathetic character, who are lazy and weak-willed, should not try to “tame” the mineral. Marcasite will push such people to take rash actions that are fraught with negative consequences.

When a stone is heated, it emits natural sulfur vapors. This phenomenon symbolizes the transition to another world. Therefore, magicians and sorcerers are accustomed to using it to open portals to other dimensions. Marcasite will be an excellent assistant for a beginning psychic.

The meaning of marcasite for the zodiac signs

Not all zodiac signs are influenced by marcasite. It is ideally suited to the horoscope of Aries, Sagittarius, Scorpio. The mineral will improve their general condition and bring joy and success to their lives. Pisces and Cancers should avoid wearing this stone. The mineral can bring them misfortune. The gem is neutral towards other signs.

Areas of use

Our ancestors used marcasite to start fires and create weapons. Only after some time they began to use it in jewelry. Great popularity came to him in the 20th century.

In addition to beads, rings, necklaces, pendants and other products, pyrite is used as decoration for watches, boxes and figurines. Figures of animals, birds, and people are cut out of it. Marcasite is widely used in industry. Sulfuric acid is made from it.

At one time there were attempts to use pyrites in construction. But the combination of sulfur with cement makes the rock very loose. Therefore, I had to abandon such an experiment.

Jewelry and products made from marcasite

Despite the fact that the stone is quite fragile and light, this does not prevent it from being used in jewelry. It looks especially beautiful in a frame made of silver and white gold. Jewelry made from marcasite is not too expensive due to the fact that such products need to be worn very carefully. The price of a product increases if it contains gold or diamonds. Work that is done by hand is especially expensive.

When choosing jewelry made from marcasite, you need to be careful and distinguish natural stone from artificial one. A real gem is distinguished by the release of sulfur when water comes into contact with it.

The crystal requires special care and skills when processing, but it looks very advantageous in various jewelry: rings, earrings, pendants, beads and bracelets. The marcasite brooch looks good. In the bright light of the sun, the mineral begins to play with different colors and shines. Even crystals that are not very remarkable in color sparkle and shimmer.

A wonderful combination would be a combination of marcasite with agate, turquoise or carnelian. They highlight each other's strengths. Jewelry with red stone goes well with yellow, white, blue and black clothes. Yellow crystals go well with lilac, violet, blue and gray shades.

Storage and care

To protect your marcasite jewelry, you need to remember and put into practice the following rules:

  • Do not expose the product to shock or excessive exposure to water or alcohol.
  • Marcasite should be carefully cleaned with a damp cloth and then wiped dry.
  • It is better to store it in a closed box or canvas bag.

It is important to consider that amulets and talismans with marcasite are suitable for open-minded people with a pure soul. We must also not forget about the rules for wearing and storing the mineral, otherwise prolonged contact with the gem will lead to unnecessary anxiety.

Selecting precious stones for jewelry or as amulets or amulets is a rather responsible and serious matter. You need to know well which minerals suit you according to your zodiac sign, whether they correspond to your birthday, what properties they have on their own and how they will influence your character, actions, mood, and health. Moreover, if you are going to wear a new thing in an ensemble with other gems, the question again is: do the stones match, what properties activate each other. To make it easier for you to navigate the world of gems, let's talk about some of its representatives. Namely, about marcasite.

For people who are far from mineralogy and geology, this name means little - marcasite. The stone is not one of the “star” stones; it is not as popular as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. However, having heard the combination “radiant pyrite”, we immediately nod our heads in understanding: how, we know! Indeed, unique deposits of “drop silver” (the nugget was so poetically nicknamed for its silvery-metallic shine) were found in the Urals quite a long time ago - back in the 19th century. In the 20th they began to intensively mine it for industrial purposes. According to the chemical composition, marcasite stone is iron sulfide; Some of its samples contain impurities of arsenic, bismuth, and copper, which give the mineral different color shades. If pyrite is heated, it will begin to emit distinct sulfur vapors. This particular feature was noticed in the East. There, from the Persians and Arabs, the mineral received its name: “marcasite” - “sulfur stone”, “sulfur substance”.

Jewelry processing

In their raw form, iron sulfide nuggets have green, gray-yellow, reddish and black hues and are not very noticeable. However, in bright sunlight or electric light, the stone begins to “play”: sparkle, shimmer, showing delightful beauty and rich colors. These properties make marcasite valuable to jewelers. Although the stone is fragile and requires special subtleties in processing and care in handling, it looks very profitable in jewelry. Especially in a silver frame, harmonious with its shine. It would be great if you come across products made from marcasite in combination with carnelians, agate or turquoise. Not only is this combination successful in itself, but each mineral effectively emphasizes and highlights the advantages of the other. It is also profitable in the esoteric, occult sense.

Astrological parameters

It is clear that not every lover of cabochons (this is the traditional cut of pyrites) is suitable for this gem. Who is recommended to wear marcasite stone? Which zodiac sign is it most suitable for? Astronomers believe that Aries and Scorpios can first decorate themselves with a gem. It is also shown for Sagittarius and Leo. The energy of the Sun and Pluto (radiance and brimstone, Light and the Underworld) made the mineral the most powerful occult object, which can do a lot. Therefore, it is suitable primarily for enterprising, extraordinary people, with a flexible mind, a steely will and, oddly enough, the highest aesthetic demands. And these, of course, are representatives of fire symbols. Well, the esthete Scorpio, of course! After all, the conjunction of these planets occurs precisely in the sector of this constellation.

Magic properties

Speaking about the role of the mineral in magic, one cannot help but recall another, very indicative name: “Inca stone”. According to ancient Indian legends, when a huge mirror was polished from a very rare large nugget, the supreme god of this wise, talented people was reflected in it. Since then, marcasite stone (properties) began to be considered a magical stone. The Zodiac symbol corresponding to the mineral is endowed with great magical power. But specifically in occult matters, it is better to use it for a dedicated person, a master. And in everyday life, astronomers advise representatives of extreme professions associated with risk to life to have a piece of pyrite with them. These are military personnel, law enforcement officials, sailors, pilots, firefighters, researchers, athletes, etc. There is even a saying: “Do you want to avoid being hit by a bullet? Sew marcasite into your body armor!” Its magical properties protect a person from danger, protect against threats of violent death and accidents. However, the gem also makes considerable demands on its owner.

Related energy drinks

It is better for people of an apathetic character, lazy and weak-willed Oblomovs not to try to “tame” him. The mineral will push them to act rashly, adventurously, fraught with very unpleasant consequences. And for restless adventurers (in the best sense of the word), for don Quixotes thirsting for exploits with their heroic goals, it’s as if marcasite was created. The magical properties of the stone manifest themselves completely specifically when “communicating” with such a person. They have almost related energetics, which is why the mineral can serve as an excellent assistant to its owner. It should be activated on the 21st lunar day.

Medical indicators

What other beneficial properties do marcasite products exhibit? The stone helps cleanse the body at different levels: physical, energetic, spiritual. Ancient healers also noticed this unique property. If a person with fractures, wounds on the body, or burns wears a ring with pyrites, then healing will go much faster and more painlessly, restoration and renewal of tissue will take even less time. And even the scars will be completely invisible. There are legends that Cleopatra herself highly valued marcasite. Drop silver was one of her favorite jewelry, and she owes her remarkable beauty and youth to this stone. Astromine experts do not dispute the rumors - they are well aware of the unique qualities of the gem. In lithotherapy, it enjoys great respect due to its ability to restore hormonal balance, give the body good nutrition, and normalize all internal processes. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, powdered marcasite was used to treat infectious eye and skin diseases and remove warts. It was advised to wear the stone to anyone with a weak immune system or rapid fatigue. Golden samples of pyrites helped cope with depression, melancholy, and melancholy.

This is interesting

Marcasite has been used as a jewelry ornamental stone since the times of old civilizations. We talked about Cleopatra, but even for a long time before this queen ascended the throne of Egypt, pyrite was known as a beautiful gemstone. Tribal leaders and rulers of entire nations adorned themselves with it, and presented it to the gods as an atoning sacrifice or gift to achieve the mercy of heaven. The “Inca stone” became especially popular in the Middle Ages and beyond. It even competed with diamonds and was cut exactly like the king of jewelry - in the shape of a rose. Pyrite inlay adorned gold and silver items: buckles, pendants, pendants, men's and women's rings, earrings and many other luxury and everyday items. The fashion for setting stones changed: first it was made of gold and silver, then steel and steel. But the elegance and uniqueness of jewelry remained the hallmark of the mineral. And one more thing we forgot to mention: marcasite is a stone that brings good luck!

Marcasite or radiant pyrite is chemically an iron sulfide. The mineral contains arsenic, antimony, cobalt, thallium, bismuth, and copper as impurities. In the Middle Ages, the term "marcasitae" denoted pyrites and all sulfur compounds. Scientists began to distinguish different subspecies of sulfur-containing minerals only in the 19th century.


Marcasite deposits are located in the USA, Canada, Russia, Australia, Africa and Sweden, namely:

  • Pink stones are mined in Canada and the USA;
  • Light-colored specimens were discovered in California;
  • Rich red crystals native to Africa;
  • High-quality and easy-to-cut jewelry samples are mined in Sweden, Australia, and the USA;
  • Specimens of collectible value were found in Russia.


Marcasite has been known to mankind for a long time. Thus, one of the ancient Aztec artifacts was found - a mirror made from this mineral, with the image of the deity of the Quetzalcoatl tribe. For this reason, marcasite was even called the stone of the Incas.

But for a long time, sulfur-containing minerals were not distinguished, and at first the term “marcasite” meant two stones at once: marcasite itself and, which outwardly resembles the first. Only at the beginning of the 19th century, the Austrian mineralogist Wilhelm Heidinger proved their difference, after which the name “marcasite” was firmly assigned to one mineral with its full scientific description.

Marcasite is also known by another name: “radiant pyrite,” which refers to its brassy yellow color. Previously, pyrite was used to make fire, and was widely used in weapons. Later, attention was paid to it as a jewelry stone and began to be used in the creation of jewelry.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, marcasites were used to replace diamonds. And during the Napoleonic wars, jewelry with them was given to women in exchange for gold jewelry. Marcasite gained particular popularity after the war, when they began to be combined with iron and steel.

In the 20th century, marcasite began to be called “drop silver”, and its popularity reached its peak.


Marcasite is an iron pyrite, like pyrite, but with a different morphology. Pyrite has crystals of regular cubic shape, while marcasite has ray-shaped crystals, similar to snowflakes. Such “snowflakes” are voluminous and weighty. Often, needle-shaped marcasite crystals form in star-like clusters and brass blots. And marcasite deposits can preserve the imprint of the organism caught in their trap.

By chemical nature, marcasite is an iron sulfide. The mineral is colored in shades of yellow, green, gray, and also black.

Crystals have a cubic system. Their hardness on the Mohs scale is 6. Specific gravity is 4.9 g/cm3. Conchoidal at the fracture.

Marcasite contains impurities of lead, thallium, arsenic, cobalt, bismuth and copper, which can affect the color shade of the stone.


A well-known variety of marcasite is the mineral spectropyrite. It is widely used in jewelry due to its unusual and beautiful iridescent iridescent color.


Alchemists of the Middle Ages used the magical powers of marcasite. Marcasite beads were believed to be an effective means of protection against the evil eye.

The stone is considered masculine, capable of endowing its owner with significant emotional strength. With its help, a man gains prudence and courage. But you cannot wear it on your body for more than 3 days, so as not to harm yourself.

Amulets and talismans made from marcasite are suitable for honest, sincere and open-hearted people. They also help magicians. Marcasite eliminates doubts and fears of its owner, gives self-confidence and promotes the development of leadership qualities.

Marcasite does not combine with other stones. It is also not recommended for very sensitive people.


Marcasite is good for relieving stress and treating depression. They are also used for eye diseases. It is believed that marcasite reduces the manifestations of joint and muscle pain, for which it is applied to damaged areas.

In addition, marcasite is used in the healing of purulent abscesses. The powder made from it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, with its help wounds heal faster and skin irritations go away.

Golden marcasites are considered healing. They have a harmonizing effect on the human condition, reduce excitability, and help fight panic attacks and fears. The gem calms and puts a person in a positive mood.

Marcasites were often hung around children's necks as an amulet to eliminate fearfulness, tearfulness and a tendency to hysterics.


In industry, marcasite is used in the production of sulfate acid. In construction, it was used as an additive to cement, but the stone is unstable and therefore inconvenient.

As for jewelry, marcasite is poorly processed, is a fragile mineral exposed to air and water, but despite this, it continues to be used in the creation of jewelry and does not lose its popularity.


The color palette of marcasite varies from yellow-orange to green, gray and black. The stone has a beautiful metallic luster, and when oxidized, multi-colored patterns appear on its surface. The gem looks most beautiful in silver frames and white gold. It is also often used in combination with iron and steel.


Jewelry with marcasite must be protected from impacts and other mechanical influences, as well as from the influence of air and water. For this reason, they are stored in tightly closed boxes, in soft fabric, separately from any other jewelry.

To clean the crystals, gently wipe them first with a damp and then with a dry cloth. Products set in silver can be cleaned using special care products.


Jewelry with marcasites is best suited for zodiac signs such as Aries, Scorpio and Sagittarius; they have a positive effect on their internal state and life events. This mineral is not recommended for representatives of the water element, namely Pisces and Cancer, as it will only bring them trouble.

It should be remembered that jewelry with marcasite cannot be worn without removing it for more than 3 days.


A gold ring with marcasite is estimated at $200 to $250, and silver earrings with marcasite inlays can be purchased for about $80 to $100.


Confusion with names is common in mineralogy. For example, the famous "Arizona pyrite dollar", which is an exhibit in the US National Mineralogical Collection, is actually crystallized marcasite. The confusion of the concepts “pyrite” and “marcasite” is rooted in the history of France, when at one time pyrite was at the peak of popularity and so-called “golden roses” were made from it. They began to be called by the Persian word “marcasite,” which is still used by the French today to designate faceted pyrite and steel settings for it. That is, gemological marcasite means pyrite or products made from it in a steel frame. But true mineralogical marcasite is iron sulfide, the crystals of which are formed in the form of rays or snowflakes.