marcasite

[ mahr-kuh-sahyt ]

noun

1. Also called white iron pyrites. a common mineral, iron disulfide, FeS 2 , chemically similar to pyrite but crystallizing in the orthorhombic system.
2. any of the crystallized forms of iron pyrites, much used in the 18th century for ornaments.
3. a specimen or ornament of this substance.

marcasite

/ ˈmɑːkəˌsaɪt; ˌmɑːkəˈsɪtɪkəl /

noun

1. a metallic pale yellow mineral consisting of iron sulphide in orthorhombic crystalline form used in jewellery. Formula: FeS 2
2. a cut and polished form of steel or any white metal used for making jewellery

marcasite

/ mär′kə-sīt′,-zīt′ /

1. A light yellow to gray, metallic, orthorhombic mineral. Marcasite is a polymorph of pyrite and looks similar to it but has a lower specific gravity, is paler in color, and often has a radiating fibrous structure. Chemical formula: FeS 2 .

Derived Forms

• marcasitical, adjective

Other Words From

• mar·ca·sit·i·cal [mahr-k, uh, -, sit, -i-k, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcasite¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin marcasīta < Arabic marqashīṭā < Aramaic marqəshītā

Word History and Origins

Origin of marcasite¹

C15: from Medieval Latin marcasīta, from Arabic marqashītā, perhaps from Persian

Example Sentences

Instead, we wore massive silver rings with brightly colored jewels and plenty of marcasite.

From Literature

I gave him a description: a white diamond in a platinum, diamond and marcasite setting from the 1920s, using my grandmother’s engagement stone from 1913.

From New York Times

In 1918 his collection included a lizard bag with marcasite and a buckle of lapis lazuli.

From New York Times

There are many types of sulfide minerals, but pyrite and marcasite, the two structural forms of FeS2 that are especially common in coal regions, are the major acid-producers.

From Forbes

This sterling-silver gourmette, or chain, necklace with marcasite stones is produced using the same techniques as the gold “Tango” necklace, which has more than 510 diamonds and requires more than 100 hours of handwork to create.

From New York Times