Marcasite in Quartz Wide Band Ring – Size 8
Marcasite in Quartz is the kind of stone that can turn a casual gemstone lover into a collector. Suspended inside the clear quartz are distinct metallic marcasite crystals, some no more than tiny specks and others large enough that you can clearly see their individual shapes. They catch the light with flashes of silvery gold, almost as though small fragments of metal were somehow trapped inside the crystal. The generous areas of clear quartz surrounding them make the inclusions particularly easy to see and give the stone wonderful depth.
Marcasite is an iron sulfide mineral that can become enclosed within quartz as the crystals form together. The inclusions can take remarkably different forms, from fine metallic dust and scattered flecks to larger crystalline formations and dense clusters. Here, many of the marcasite crystals remain beautifully distinct within the transparent quartz, giving you a glimpse of the mineral growth preserved inside the stone. It’s exactly this kind of geological oddity that makes unusual included quartz so much fun to collect.
I framed the oval stone in my double bezel with a darkened, hand-hammered border, giving the clear quartz and metallic inclusions plenty of contrast. The wide sterling silver band is covered in individually applied silver details over a heavily textured surface. Patina darkens the recesses before the raised silver is polished back to brightness, creating depth and contrast while giving the stone the substantial setting it deserves.
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: 8; due to the wide band, best suited for approximately a size 7.5–7.75 finger
✧ Band Width: Approximately 18 mm at the front, tapering to 9 mm at the back
✧ Ring Face: Approximately 25 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.
