Marcasite dates back to the time of the Incas. Along with pyrite, large quantities of marcasite jewelry have been found in Incan burial chambers. The Incans also used marcasite to adorn plates and mirrors.
Fast forward a few centuries to Victorian England. Queen Victoria was responsible for making marcasite jewelry famous when she wore it as a substitute for more expensive diamond jewelry. Since the common man was also unable to afford diamond jewelry, it soon became a popular substitute among them as well.
Today, marcasite is all over the jewelry market. Its unique appearance and unusual iridescence have made it highly sought after. Before you can buy marcasite online, it is important to first understand what it is. Marcasite is a semi-precious stone that is brittle, hard, brassy yellow, has a metallic sheen, and is opaque. It is a gem that is made up of small crystals and is quite rare.
Here’s everything you need to know about marcasite and jewelry made using this gemstone.
What is good quality marcasite?
In the past, marcasite may have been popular for being inexpensive yet beautiful. However, today marcasite jewelry is regarded for its ability to be molded into complex designs. If you want to spot good quality marcasite, here are some things you should look at:
- Magnetism – A simple test is to hold a magnet to the stone and see if it sticks. If you find that it doesn’t, your marcasite is authentic.
- Rivets – Authentic marcasite jewelry will have rivets sticking into the base of the piece to hold the design together. You can flip the jewelry over to look for these rivets to confirm its authenticity.
- Finish – Marcasite has a distinct yellowish sheen that is reflected in different ways when light hits it. If any non-magnetic item is posing as marcasite, it can be easily caught under a microscope or magnifying glass upon proper inspection.
But what do you do if you want to purchase your marcasite jewelry online? Well, here are 6 pro tips to help you get the best possible piece:
- Style – Vintage vs. modern
When you start looking for the perfect piece, you must first decide on the style that you like. You can choose between vintage marcasite jewelry or something that is more modern. Either way, once you have that narrowed down, the selection process is that much easier.
- Setting
The setting of the stones in the jewelry is the next thing to look at. Back in the day, marcasite stones were set into the metal with tiny claws to hold them in place. Not only did these claws make the stones secure, but they also added intricate detailing to the piece which in turn enhanced its overall beauty.
As you can imagine, this was a painful and time-consuming process. Today, marcasite stones are set in jewelry using glue. While this is a more efficient way to make the jewelry, it does not secure the stones quite as well as metal claws would. So, if you want your marcasite jewelry to stand the test of time, we would suggest picking pieces that are made with the claws or prongs rather than those that are glued in to the metal.
- Design
Beautiful as marcasite is, there are some styles and designs of marcasite jewelry that are truly more breathtaking than others. For one, silver-colored metal best compliments this stone, so it is advisable to go for marcasite set in white gold, silver, or platinum. Second, due its unique reflective qualities, smaller black stones interspersed with marcasite in any piece of jewelry tend to enhance the overall beauty of the piece. Pearls are also a great companion to marcasite. Black, white, and silver are colors that go with everything. So, if you want to be able to flaunt your brand-new marcasite jewelry, these colors are the best way to go.
- Price
The price range of marcasite jewelry varies based on the style, cut, and size of the gems used. While we don’t recommend you emptying out your pockets to buy the perfect piece, we also don’t want you to end up with something too cheap. Finding a gorgeous piece of marcasite jewelry in a medium price range will leave you happier and satisfied with your purchase.
- Return Policy
Remember, you are buying online. Things may not look as they do on the website when you finally see them in person. Even if you do all the research and pick the perfect piece, you may not like the look of it when it finally arrives at your doorstep. For this, it is important to first check the return policy on the item you want to purchase before you go ahead and buy it.
- Seller’s reputation – Authenticity certificate
When buying anything online, it is advisable to go with a seller who has a good reputation. Read as many customer reviews as possible and do your due diligence before deciding on a seller. Especially if you are buying wholesale marcasite jewelry, you need to be able to trust the seller. Most well-respected marcasite jewelry sellers will provide you with authenticity stamps or certificates for all their jewelry offerings. This will let you know that what you have purchased is true to its name.
P&K Jewelry can help with all your marcasite jewelry needs – whether it is wholesale sterling silver bangles or anything else, we have a range of options to choose from, at honest prices and quality assurance. Explore our collection today and take your pick!