![]() ![]() ![]() Twinning can produce spearhead and cockscomb shapes. You can also perform streak tests - best on unfinished gems to prevent damage - as pyrite has a greenish-black to brownish-black streak while marcasite has a gray to black streak.Īfter forming, marcasite crystals are usually tabular or pyramidal, commonly with curved faces and deep striation lines. Given their similarities, how can you tell if marcasite is real or if it's pyrite?īoth minerals have the same Mohs hardness, but marcasite has a lower density, meaning it’s lighter weight. This makes them dimorphs or polymorphs.Īdditionally, pyrite is more durable, as marcasite is more brittle and less stable, meaning it will break apart or tarnish more easily. They share many similarities in appearance and properties, but pyrite has a cubic (or isometric) crystal system, while marcasite has an orthorhombic crystal system. Marcasite is an iron sulfide mineral, the same composition as pyrite. Marcasite Specifications & Characteristics Today, the only industrial use of marcasite is to create sulfuric acid for producing fertilizer, though pyrite is preferred. In the past, marcasite was used to source sulfur. But gold is softer, denser, and more tarnish-resistant, along with having a yellow streak. Marcasite is also called “white iron pyrite.” Just like its sister-stone pyrite, marcasite can be mistaken for gold. Today, marcasite isn’t as popular as pyrite, but it still sparkles with historical charm.Ĭome along as we go over marcasite’s properties, history, benefits, prices, and more!įirst, is marcasite a precious stone? No, marcasite is a semi-precious gemstone, though it often accents or substitutes for precious gemstones like diamonds. Vintage marcasite jewelry was diverse, from nature-inspired Victorian brooches to geometric Art Deco designs. Throughout the years, marcasite has been valued as a source of sulfur and a sparkling addition to jewelry or decor at a lower price than precious gems like diamonds. The stone is quite similar to pyrite, with only a few notable differences but lots of intertwined history. Marcasite is a brassy yellow gemstone with a brilliant metallic luster.
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