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PYRITE
| PYRITE | Called Marcasite in the jewellery trade |
| Origins | Austria, China, Mexico, Romania, Russia & South Africa |
| Colours Found | Golden yellow |
| Family | Pyrite |
| Hardness | 6.00 - 6.50 |
| Refractive Index | Cannot be determined |
| Relative Density | 5.00 - 5.20 |
Pyrite has a shiny golden yellow colour and a metallic lustre. The name comes from the Greek word “pyr”, meaning “a gemstone that strikes fire”. This is due to the sparks produced when Pyrite strikes iron. While Pyrite is often mistaken for gold, they are differentiated by Pyrite’s lighter, tougher, broken faced grains. As only a fool would mistake it for gold, Pyrite is also known as “fool’s gold”.
Marcasite is often used as a jewellery trade name for Pyrite. Although they are called Marcasite, they are actually Pyrite, as true Marcasite is unsuitable for jewellery. The confusion between the two dates back several hundreds years due to their similar appearance. Marcasite’s name was derived from “marqashith”, the Arabic word for Pyrite, after an old province in northeastern Persia. Marcasite jewellery (Pyrite) is a popular style that became fashionable during Queen Victoria’s reign. Marcasite jewellery normally uses Pyrite cut and polished in a circular outline (square cut gems are occasionally used) and pavé set between sterling silver beads to enhance their brilliance. They were originally used because they catch the light and glow like small Diamonds. Today, Marcasite jewellery is often fashioned into 925 sterling silver rings, earrings, pendants, brooches, necklaces and bracelets.
Legends and lore
Used by the ancient Greeks in pins, earrings and amulets, Pyrite was once polished by Native Americans and used as mirrors. Pyrite is also known as “healer’s gold” and is highly regarded by crystal healers as a gemstone of intellect and protection.
Just the facts
Pyrite is composed of iron sulphide. When found in its raw state, Pyrite crystals can be shaped as cubes, octahedrons and pyritohedrons (12 faces). Twinning causes “iron crosses” that look like interpenetrating cubes. Collectors particularly favour a flattened nodular variety called “Pyrite suns” or “Pyrite dollars”.
Pyrite is present in igneous rocks as an accessory mineral, in sedimentary rocks, especially black shale, and in metamorphic rocks, most notably in slates. Pyrite is sometimes found as a replacement mineral in fossils.
