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MARCASITE

Overview:

Derived from the Arabic word markaschatsa, meaning 'firestone', Marcasite expands metaphysical abilities, especially that of spirit awareness and clairvoyance. Providing a psychic shield that grounds in the everyday world, Mercasite assists those who undertake house-clearing or entity removal.


Providing a detached perspective when seeking insights into your self, it helps to make any adjustments necessary.



Usage:

If you suffer from scattered or confused thinking and impaired memory, Marcasite brings clarity. Increasing willpower, it boldly goes where you have not been before. Excellent for Leos, it encourages you to shine, and helps anyone who suffers from a sense of spiritual lack to find true abundance.

Marcasite, whose name is derived from the Arabic word for pyrite, is a common and an attractive mineral. The two minerals, marcasite and pyrite, are often confused due to their similar characteristics. Marcasite is a polymorph of pyrite which means that it has the same chemistry as pyrite but a different structure and, therefore, different symmetry and crystal shapes. The marcasite/pyrite polymorh pair is probably the most famous polymorph pair next to the diamond/graphite pair. Adding to the confusion between marcasite and pyrite is the use of the word marcasite as a jewelry trade name. The term is applied to small polished and faceted stones that are inlayed in sterling silver. But even though they are called marcasite, they are actually pyrite.

Marcasite is difficult to distinguish from pyrite when a lack of distinctive crystal habits exists. In fact, many specimens have been wrongly identified as pyrite or marcasite by even experienced mineral collectors. For many years the iron sulfide "Suns" found in Illinois coal mines were called "Marcasite Suns" (also known as "Marcasite Dollars") until X-ray studies showed them to be mostly pyrite. They have a habit that looks like marcasite.

Physical Properties:

Marcasite

Marcasite

Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Chemistry
FeS2, Iron sulphide
Hardness
6-6.5
Source
USA, Mexico, Germany, France
Chakra
Base
Number
8

Sign of Marcasite: Leo

Marcasite has been known to pseudomorph other minerals. A pseudomorph is an atom by atom replacement of one mineral's chemistry for another. If done subtly, the replacement can leave the old mineral's shape intact. The effect is one mineral in the shape of another, hence the term pseudomorph (Latin for false shape). Marcasite has pseudomorphed pyrite, gypsum, fluorite and others. At other times marcasite is pseudomorphed itself into the iron oxide mineral goethite. Often the replacement is only peripheral and leaves a thin skin of iron oxides on the crystals. These iron oxides are seen as an iridescence sheen and can provide marcasite specimens with quite an attractive and colorful appearance. These oxides may also have a positive effect in slowing marcasite's unfortunate deterioration.

Usage:

Yang energy, concentration, memory, hysteria, cleansing the blood, warts, moles, freckles, spleen.

Legend:

The possibility that they were originally marcasite and then later transformed into pyrite is being studied. Now they are correctly called "Pyrite Suns", but the confusion still exists. Many marcasite specimens are distinctive enough to reveal their true identity and make interesting and beautiful display specimens.

Occurrence:

Notable occurrences are widespread, but the more notable sites include Joplin, Missouri; Grant County, Wisconsin and Hardin County, Illinios, USA; Guanajuato, Mexico; Escale Pas de Calais, France; Peru; China and Russia.