This genuine antique brooch of “marcasite” and silver is a stunner! Marcasite, a natural iron sulphide, was used for adornment since ancient times, but it is pyrite, a less brittle iron sulphide, which is used in “marcasite jewelry.” Marcasite jewelry was typically worn in lieu of diamonds, such as during Louis XIV’s reign in France, as diamonds were reserved for the king, or in Queen Victoria’s England, when, during the 40 years she mourned her husband, the glitz of diamonds was disapproved.

Marcasite jewelry has had other popularity surges, such as during the Art Deco era, and its appeal has led to a market flooded with reproductions/fakes and new, but inferior, creations. Even “vintage” pieces, after the 1960s or so, were typically mass-produced, with inferior materials (cut steel rather than pyrite, baser metals, no or inferior gemstones). Antique pieces from the Victorian through Art Deco eras, especially those produced in France and Germany, generally are handwrought, with superior hand-set stones, evincing a craftsmanship and quality that make them the most collectible.

Among the mass of marcasite jewelry out there, this brooch stands out! Its shape is unique and gorgeous. The marcasites sparkle as if they weren’t a century old! The original “trombone” clasp (invented in 1850) and the “France” stamp confirm age and quality. The marcasites are cut and set by hand; the silver is forged and filed by hand. (How quirky that there’s a different number of marcasites on each “shoulder,” a detail revealing the individuality and handmade quality of the piece!) And the carnelian is beautiful! It has the rich, burnt orange translucence of gem quality carnelian – one of the oldest known jewelry gemstones, with references in the Bible! – not the dyed agate, plastic, or poor quality carnelian often sold as “carnelian.”

Wear this antique brooch alone or with an array of marcasite pins … Enjoy this example of a bygone era!

Size: 1 ¼” long x 7/8” wide

Details: Marked “Made in France”; marcasite, sterling, carnelian; “trombone” clasp

Condition: Excellent vintage. No chips, scratches, flaws on stone; 2 of 68 marcasites missing (visible with 10x loop)


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