Marcasite jewellery

Marcasite jewellery is frequently made by setting small pieces of faceted pyrite into silver.

[2] Cheaper costume jewellery is made by gluing pieces of pyrite rather than setting.

[3] It was particularly popular in the eighteenth century, the Victorian era and with Art Nouveau jewellery designers.

[3][2] When diamonds were banned from public display in Switzerland in the 18th century, marcasite, along with cut steel, was turned to as a replacement.

[4] When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria entered a period of mourning, requiring her entire court to wear black and avoid opulent jewellery.