Marcasite
The name Marcasite is derived from Arabic word for pyrite. Marcasite and pyrite are polymorphs. Marcasite is lighter and more brittle than pyrite.
Marcasite forms metallic pale brass-yellow coloured, tabular or pyramidal, sometimes stalactic or globular crystals. On fresh surfaces it is pale yellow to almost white and has a bright metallic lustre.
Marcasite forms metallic pale brass-yellow coloured, tabular or pyramidal, sometimes stalactic or globular crystals. On fresh surfaces it is pale yellow to almost white and has a bright metallic lustre.
| General Information | |||||||
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Marcasite | |||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6 to 6.5, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | ||||||
| Specific Gravity | 4.80 to 4.90, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | ||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Poor, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Fracture | Uneven, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Optical Properties of Marcasite | |||||||
| Refractive Index | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Birefringence | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Pleochroism | Nil, Gemstones (2009) More from other references | ||||||
| Dispersion | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Colour | |||||||
| Colour (General) | Yellow, bronze colour, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | ||||||
| Transparency | Opaque, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | ||||||
| Lustre | Metallic, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Crystallography of Marcasite | |||||||
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | ||||||
| Habit | Typically tabular but may be pyramidal or prismatic and may show curved faces, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Geological Environment | |||||||
| Where found: | Marcasite occurs in sedimentary environments formed characteristically under low temperature, highly acidic conditions., Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||
| Further Information | |||||||
| Mineral information: | Marcasite information at mindat.org | ||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | |||||||
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