marcasite
marcassite from Cap Blanc-Nez in France
marcassite from Cap Blanc-Nez in France
marcassite crystals from Brazil in inclusion in quartz
Detailed sheet
marcasite
Identified in 1845 by von Raidinger, it was found being different from pyrite by René-Just Haüy in the early nineteenth century.
Its name comes from either the Arabic or Moorish to signify that it has a metallic color yellow.
This is an iron sulphide containing more sulfur than pyrite with which it is often confused. The excess of sulfur results in the form of sulfuric acid on contact with air, and ancient samples are often disintegrated. It forms in narrow environments and it is often found in fossils.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
FeS2
iron sulfite
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
yellow
Other colors
brown, green
hints of green due to oxidation
Color of streak
grey, black, green
Luster
metallic
Hardness
6.0 to 6.5
Density
4.85 to 4.95
Cleavage
indistinct
Fracture
uneven
very pale yellow, almost white on the fresh cleavage
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque
Refractive index
0.000 - 0.000
Double refraction
0.000
refractive index and birefringence illegibles
visible double refraction
No
Pleochroism
strong
Number of colors
3
turning from practically white to yellow and brown according to light
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
it comes in many forms : tabular crystals, prismatic, spherical aggregates radial aggregates ...
crystals system
orthorhombic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Astrological sign
Sagittarius, Scorpio
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
It is found in sedimentary deposits in carbonate rocks, but this is not an exploitable iron ore such as pyrite is. In France some groups of crystals come from Cap Blanc-Nez in the Pas de Calais, it is also found in radiating nodules in Champagne and Picardy: these metallic nodules have often been mistaken with meteorites! It is also found in Germany,Czech Republique, United States, Canada …
use in jewelry
What is called “marcasite” on antique jewelry is actually pyrite, because marcasite is not stable at air contact. The pyrite roses have been widely used in the nineteenth century and are still on many jewels coming from the Middle East or Central Asia.
Historical
healing properties
It is considered as a powerful stone, in relation to the base chakra, its properties are similar to those of pyrite.
In relation to the solar plexus chakra it would optimize the flow of energies by promoting their proper orientation, towards the positive . Its radiating spherical forms favor the calming radiation of the individual diffusing soothing purity and serenity.
Since long time it has been associated with anemia because of its composition rich in iron, and from the Middle Ages it was advised for pregnant women.
Other
Gems
Venez visitez
notre site web
voillot-joaillier.fr
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