7 Things You Must Know About Marcasite Jewelry

Ever wondered why people love darker things? Their sheer enigma, mystery, and peculiarity are responsible for generating curiosity and interest in the human mind. It is no surprise then that the world of fashion feels a strong presence of darker shades and tones – whether you look at outfits, makeup, accessories, or jewelry.

Here’s looking at marcasite – a stone that is as enigmatic, mysterious, and peculiar as it gets – and what you should know before you buy it.

7 Amazing Facts About Marcasite Jewelry That You Must Know

Let’s dive right into it and find out what makes marcasite such a special stone and why marcasite jewelry has grown from strength to strength from the time of the Ancient Greeks to today.

  1. Pyrite and Marcasite Are Two Different Things

People often make the mistake of confusing pyrite, more popularly referred to as “Fool’s Gold,” with marcasite. Yes, they have similar physical properties and might even appear to be the same, but in reality, marcasite is paler in comparison to pyrite. In fact, you might come across jewelers or jewelry websites referring to marcasite as “white iron pyrite.”

  1. Marcasite Stones Are Incredibly Difficult to Work With

Compared to other gemstones, marcasite is quite hard to work with in terms of shaping them for jewelry purposes because they don’t break apart in an even, consistent way. While the old-world charm and low-cost nature of the stone make it a popular choice for jewelry shoppers, it is a gemstone that is immensely difficult to manipulate and hence, needs to be handled with care during the jewelry making process. 

  1. The Spiritual Connect

Some people believe that marcasite stones have the innate and uncanny ability to drive negative energies away and connect you to the spiritual world. In some countries, spiritual gurus recommend people to wear the stone on a ring because of the positive vibes it exudes.

  1. Marcasite for Mental Wellbeing

Just like the spiritual connect, the stone is also said to have unbelievably strong healing powers that could help you go into a meditative state, introspect, and alleviate mental fatigue. While there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, a lot of cultures strongly believe in these things.

  1. Can Jewelry Inspire Creativity?

According to some experts, there is a very strong connection between art and marcasite. In fact, some artists claim that the stone inspires creativity and spreads positive vibes which are considered essential to create art. This inexplicable connect between marcasite, art, and architecture can be attributed to its metaphysical properties.

  1. The History of Marcasite Jewelry

According to archeological findings, the origins and usage of marcasite jewelry can be tracked back to the ancient Greek civilizations. Greeks are believed to be the pioneers in this regard, while the Incas of Southern America used marcasite stones in a wide assortment of items, including decorative showpieces and jewelry. Marcasite jewelry gained immense popularity and became a mainstream concept in the Victorian era. It was considered to be an understated alternative to opulent jewelry pieces that flaunted massive diamonds or other colorful stones. In many cultures, authentic marcasite stones or marcasite jewelry has been passed from generation to generation as an heirloom.

  1. As Versatile As It Gets

The best thing about marcasite jewelry is the fact that it is so versatile. It goes with just about any kind of outfit – formal, casual, semi-formal, ethnic… the list just goes on. Its breathtaking aesthetic appeal makes it the perfect fit for any special occasion. So, whether it is a date night, a red-carpet event, or a poolside cocktail party, you can rest assured you will find marcasite jewelry that seamlessly complements your attire, mood, and occasion! 

Today, marcasite or what 19th century miners called crystallized pyrite is a trending gemstone that stands out from the rest. Marcasite is a raging hit in regions like China, Greece, Egypt, South America, and North America.

A stone that has slowly but steadily gained recognition and widespread acceptance in jewelry and fashion circles around the globe, marcasite is used by jewelry makers to craft a range of items, including:   

  • Marcasite earrings
  • Marcasite bracelets
  • Marcasite pendants
  • Marcasite necklaces
  • Marcasite rings
  • Marcasite bangles
  • Marcasite wristwatches

Where to Buy High-Quality Marcasite Jewelry From?

Sourcing your jewelry from the right place can make a world of a difference. Whether you are a wholesale buyer or a retail customer, P&K Jewelry is the preferred jewelry partner for an illustrious list of clients. Founded in 1995, we have become one of the world’s largest and most trusted sources for sterling silver and wholesale marcasite jewelry.

Our massive selection of versatile marcasite jewelry includes all the things mentioned above (and more!). Designed using the highest quality of marcasite stones and topnotch sterling silver as the base metal, our collection features rings, earrings, bangles, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces that you will instantly fall in love with. You can even buy matching marcasite jewelry sets or discover intricate designs that are made using a combination of marcasite and other colored gemstones, cubic zirconia (CZ), or pearls.

Check out P&K Jewelry’s extensive catalog of marcasite jewelry (available in wholesale) now!

10 Things You Must Know About Cubic Zirconia Jewelry

At P&K Jewelry, apart from being a leading vendor and wholesaler of various types of jewelry, our domain expertise and experience in the industry also allows us to create content that is informative and educational, so you can make a smart choice when it comes to buying jewelry. We love discussing the latest jewelry trends, raw materials, manufacturing processes, best practices, comparative analyses, and more.

On that note, today we bring to you a listicle that you must read before buying cubic zirconia. Here’s our list of ten things that you must know about cubic zirconia jewelry.

1. Cubic Zirconia is Manufactured, Not Mined

Considered a popular alternative to diamonds because of its brilliant appearance, cubic zirconia (or CZ) is a gemstone that is manufactured in a controlled laboratory environment. Contrary to popular belief, it is not found naturally. Zirconium oxide and other minerals are used to create CZ, the crystallographic isometric form of zirconium oxide.

2. CZ is Blemish-Free and Shiny

Unlike its more expensive counterpart (diamonds) or most natural gemstones, CZ is flawless in appearance. This makes it an excellent choice for everyday jewelry. With a refractive index in the 2.088 to 2.176 range and a dispersion rating in the 0.058 and 0.066 bracket, cubic zirconia stones are a great alternative to diamonds because they effectively exude the same charm and shine.

3. CZ is Available in a Variety of Options

Speaking about colored gemstones, you are often restricted in terms of choice because there isn’t a lot of variety. However, with CZ you have endless color options. Modern-day jewelry designs feature CZ stones that may be red, blue, yellow, pink, orange, green, and even purple!

4. Bigger Isn’t Always Better in the Case of CZ

While shoppers tend to fall head over heels for massive gemstones, it may not be the wisest choice in the case of cubic zirconia. In fact, smaller CZ stones look glitterier and create an alluring look compared to the bigger ones.

5. Cubic Zirconia is Flawless, Clear, and Colorless

Cubic zirconia is famous for its flawlessness and clarity, both of which are much higher than most other gemstones. CZ is also among the rare stones that are entirely colorless. And thanks to manufacturing innovations, jewelers can offer shoppers CZ stones in a wide range of colors today, as mentioned above.

6. CZ is Dense, Heavy, and Versatile

With an 8.5 hardness rating on the Mohs scale and a density of 5.50-5.90, CZ is quite dense and hence heavier than a diamond. In terms of the cut, CZ stones are preferred in a round, pear, heart, or princess cut. The variety of shapes makes cubic zirconia a flexible and versatile stone that can be used in a huge variety of jewelry accessories.

7. Pairing CZ with Silver is a Good Idea

The sheer allure of a cubic zirconia stone makes it a beautiful addition to any kind of jewelry item. From earrings and bracelets to pendants and necklaces, you will find a massive selection of CZ accessories at P&K Jewelry. When it comes to finding the right base metal to complement a CZ stone, sterling silver wins hands down. Not only does it look great, but they also serve as the perfect foil for each other.

8. CZ Jewelry is Quite Affordable

If you are looking for low-cost jewelry that does not compromise on quality, CZ is the way to go. And since the prices aren’t exorbitant, you can wear it or carry it around with you without worrying about its safety.

9. Ask Your Jeweler About the CZ Grade or Category

Before you make a purchasing decision, make sure you ask your jeweler about the grade or quality of the CZ stone of your choice. Generally, you will find cubic zirconia in the A, AAA, or AAAAA grades or categories. AAAAA or 5A is believed to be the best in terms of quality, polishing, cut, and finish.

10. Taking Care of Your CZ Jewelry

While buying CZ jewelry, make sure the stone is stable and well-set. Wobbly settings, especially in rings and bracelets, may lead to the stones falling out. Over time, CZ has the tendency to absorb the human body’s natural oils, making it partially cloudy or damaged. It is best to maintain a regular jewelry cleaning routine at home and take your CZ jewelry professionally polished at least once every year. To retain your jewelry’s natural sheen and shimmer, make sure you avoid any exposure to harmful chemicals present in chlorinated water, bleach, cosmetic products, or bathing essentials.

Always Buy CZ Jewelry from a Trustworthy Jeweler

There are lots of fakes in the market that might replicate the look of a CZ stone, but they will never serve you as long as a high-quality CZ will. It is important that you buy your CZ jewelry from the right jewelry partner.

Based out of New York, P&K Jewelry is the preferred partner for several leading retailers in the United States. We offer the widest selection of trendy, exotic, and superior cubic zirconia jewelry for any occasion. Our selection includes cubic zirconia bangles, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and jewelry sets.

Discover our wholesale cubic zirconia jewelry and .925 sterling silver jewelry today!