Marcasite

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Marcasite and Pyrite or 'fools gold' are sulphides of iron. The tiny bright metallic stones much used as surrounds or designs in jewelry and sold under the name marcasite are in fact usually made of pyrite, a much more common polymorph. Pyrite often occurs in well-formed and interesting cubic crystals while marcasite crystals are orthorhombic. Both have a wide distribution in Europe and North America. Both minerals may tarnish or decompose after a time and, because they are cut in small thin pieces, they crack easily and fall out on impact. Pyrite means 'fire-like' in Greek; the origin of the name 'marcasite' is uncertain.