Marcasite Beads with Sterling Silver - Marcasite Beads

Marcasite is a gray lustrous mineral. Chemically known as Iron Sulfide, it has the same composition as pyrite but has a different crystal structure and color.

Marcasite is often used to imitate the sparkle of diamonds. It is most frequently set in sterling silver and will usually have decorative silver markings surrounding the marcasite stones. Marcasite jewelry was popular in Victorian times and made a resurgence in the 1920s and 1930s as people looked for attractive low cost alternatives to diamonds. As new designs have been produced, marcasite jewelry has again made a resurgence in popularity today.

Our marcasite beads all have a beautiful high polish applied to the sterling silver. The marcasite stones are each precision cut to ensure the most refractive sparkle.

Marcasite is usually cut in one of two places. The marcasite cut in Switzerland is considerably more expensive because of the high labor rates. The marcasite cut in Thailand is more affordable and just as beautiful. Note that some of the marcasite marketed as 'Swiss' is now being cut in Thailand, and rebranded (and re-priced) as Swiss marcasite. So in many cases it really is the exact same thing - just priced higher.

The most popular cut of marcasite is a round cut. Square and baguette (rectangle) cuts are not as commonly seen but make a dramatic statement in the right pieces. We also offer a bead with a very rare heart shape cut of marcasite.

#M330 Heart Shaped Bead	#M331 Diamond Shaped Bead	#M333 Pendant Bead	#M341 Hexagon Shaped Bead
#M342 Square Shaped Bead	M343 Tear Drop Bead	M344 Diamond Shaped Bead	M345 Triangle Shaped Bead
M346 Diamond Shaped Bead	M347 Small Cube Bead	M348 Heart Shaped Bead	M349 Flower Shaped Bead
M350 Star Shaped Bead	M351Small Flower Shaped Bead	M352 Heart Shaped Bead	M353 Heart Shaped Bead
M354 Star Shaped Bead	M355 Sunflower Bead	M356 Flower Shaped Bead	M357 Drum Shaped Bead
M358 Round Bead	M364 Square Bead

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