Marcasite in Quartz Wide Band Ring – Size 9
Marcasite in Quartz is one of those gemstones that can look almost like a tiny mineral collection trapped inside a single stone. I’ve been collecting these unusual quartz specimens for a while now, choosing the ones where the inclusions create something especially interesting inside the crystal. This one has silvery metallic formations scattered through the clear quartz, from tiny flecks to larger feathery clusters, along with an unexpected patch of rusty red near the bottom. I’m not certain what causes that reddish inclusion, possibly iron or hematite, so I’m leaving that little geological mystery exactly where it belongs.
Marcasite is an iron sulfide mineral that can occur as inclusions within quartz, creating metallic flashes and crystalline formations suspended inside the transparent stone. Instead of the dark, faceted marcasite most people recognize from vintage jewelry, here you can actually see the mineral in its natural crystalline form enclosed within the quartz. The patterns vary tremendously from specimen to specimen, which is exactly what drew me to collecting them in the first place. There is something fascinating about being able to look through the quartz and see these tiny mineral formations preserved inside.
The elongated oval gave me plenty of room to let the inclusions remain the focus, so I surrounded it with my double bezel and a darkened, hand-hammered border. The wide sterling silver band is covered in individually applied silver details over a heavily textured surface. Patina settles into all of those recesses before the raised silver is polished back to brightness, giving the metalwork the depth and contrast I love while creating a substantial frame for such an unusual stone.
Metaphysically, marcasite is traditionally associated with courage, confidence and grounding, while clear quartz is associated with clarity and amplification.
✧ Gemstone: Marcasite in Quartz (clear quartz with natural marcasite inclusions)
✧ Ring Size: 9; due to the wide band, best suited for approximately a size 8.5–8.75 finger
✧ Band Width: Approximately 18 mm at the front, tapering to 9 mm at the back
✧ Ring Face: Approximately 33.5 x 17 mm
✧ Setting: Double bezel with hand-hammered border
✧ Metal: Sterling silver with an oxidized patina
One-of-a-kind and made with care in my studio.
