Marcasite jewellery

Marcasite jewellery is jewellery made from pyrite (fool's gold), not, as the name suggests, from marcasite.^[1] Pyrite is similar to marcasite, but more stable and less brittle. Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of the Ancient Greeks.^[2] It was particularly popular in the eighteenth century, the Victorian era and with Art Nouveau jewellery designers.^[2][3] It is frequently made by setting small pieces of pyrite into silver.^[3] Cheaper costume jewellery is made by glueing pieces of pyrite rather than setting.^[2] A similar-looking type of jewellery can be made from small pieces of cut steel.^[1][2]

References