[Source] Gold coloured pyrite

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi just wondering if anyone might have a source for gold coloured
pyrite faceted stones, I could be wrong but I think the actual name
is Iron Pyrite… don’t quote me on that because I am not 100% sure.
Or an alternative stone variety with the same appearance. I am
looking for 1.75 stones.

Thank you so very much!
Tina

2

Hi Tina,

Most all of the Iron Pyrite I have seen has been very gold like.
There are parts of Colorado around Leadville that has a lot of Iron
Pyrite available for the picking up. I am sure there should be rock
stores in that area that would have plenty of it.

If you can find it let me know.

Good luck,
Ken Moore

3

I have never seen a faceted pyrite stone set in a ring for example
but the idea intrigues me. Why? Because in my prospecting I have
found that a visible concentration of pyrites in a vein or cluster of
metallics always assays as a polymetallic sulfide. I get downright
excited now whenever I see those little silvery-gold coloured cubes
in a matrix.

Is there a crytallographer on Orchid who can comment on whether
other metals bond directly into the pyrite lattice or amalgamate with
it?

4

Do you mean Chalcopyrite? Very pretty but very soft. Abrades and
breaks easily. We used to cut it but have discontinued using it
because of the above reasons. The rough came from Mexico.

Diane
Dikra Gem Inc.

5 
Hi just wondering if anyone might have a source for gold coloured
pyrite faceted stones, I could be wrong but I think the actual
name is Iron Pyrite.. don't quote me on that because I am not 100%
sure. Or an alternative stone variety with the same appearance. I
am looking for 1.75 stones.

Tina, It sounds to me sort of as though you’re looking for what are
commonly called marcasites. These are small, round, rose cut facetted
stones (shallow peaked cutting on top, flat back) Common in antique
silver, as well as modern versions, often made in the far east.

While there is indeed a mineral called marcasite, my guess is that
in this case it’s used interchangeably with the mineral pyrite (iron
pyrite, or “fools gold”). Color and appearance is similar. Not as
bright yellow as gold, more a dark brassy look.

Marcasite stones are common in small round sizes from a bit under a
millimeter to perhaps two or three millimeters, sometimes more, but
not all dealers carry them. They’re really cheap, but usually you
have to buy them in at least modest quantities, like a dozen at a
time, unless you want to seriously overpay.

Note that I’ve also seen (and have a fair number of) glass imitation
marcasites. Now, don’t ask me why someone would go to the trouble of
making fake glass marcasites, given the low cost of the real things.
The ones I have are parcels dating to the 1930s or so, and without
chipping one or grinding/polishing into it to remove the surface
luster, they look just like the real ones, at least to a casual
examination…

One source I recall for the real ones was Max Shuster, a new york
stone dealer. It’s been a long while since I dealt with them, but
assume they’re still in business. Great source for all your
synthetics, small odd black onyx, and all the rest of that sort of
commercial stuff. I assume they carry good merchanidise too, but
you’d have to ask them…

Now, if what you’re looking for are actual better quality
interesting cabochons of pyrite, last time I saw Bill Gangi at a SNAG
convention, he had some beautiful pieces of pyrite, cut to high
quality cabs. No doubt there are other gem dealers who may also have
such material, but you can check Bill’s web site for contact into and
ask him…

Hope that helps.
Peter Rowe

6

You might try to search for marcasite, even though it isn’t really
marcasite - it is pyrite that is used in jewelry. Confusing? Yes.
Here is a quote from Wikapedia: "Pyrite is used to make marcasite
jewellery (incorrectly termed marcasite). Marcasite jewellery, made
from small faceted pieces of pyrite, often set in silver, was popular
in the Victorian era.[22] "

Hope this helps!
Kim
Kimberly J Ingersoll

7

The source for pyrite and for all peruvuian gemstones and, 925
sterling production lines in Spanish-peruvian designs as well,
contact in Lima Peru Marcel Ryzenberg at [mryzenberg at yahoo dot
com]

Lee Horowitz,M.Ed, CAGS, Gemologist
Peru Blue Opal Ltd
Horowitz Co-KCIG Co Ltd