Silver jewellery which is inlaid with small stones of Pyrite is referred as Marcasite jewellery; the most precious metal used being sterling silver. The contrast created with the two shades of metallic grey gives it the most striking and dazzling vintage look. These jewelleries are readily available at affordable rates in the market in the form of Marcasite brooches, marcasite pendants, marcasite earrings and marcasite rings and have their own antique charm which attracts people of all ages. If Marcasite jewellery is properly maintained, it improves with age and also on being treated well, it develops a lush patina layer. As these jewelleries are mostly made of silver, all the tips for the care of silver jewellery apply for these as well.

First of all, you should remember to keep your silver Marcasite in a jewellery case lined with fabric or in a box which has dividers and compartments so that the jewellery is stored in a clean and dry place. In case, you want to use ordinary box for keeping the jewellery, remember to wrap each piece individually in a soft tissue paper or special plastic pockets. As jewellery pieces are very much prone to scratching, do not put them together in jewellery case or drawer. Then you should take care that Marcasite silver jewellery should never lay against bare wood as wood, especially oak contains acid that can mar the surface of silver. Paper and cardboard should also be avoided as they are wood pulp products and so cause the same effect on silver. In order to sanitise and clean this jewellery only mild soap solution and water should be used and then dried with a non-tarnishing and soft piece of cloth. Ultrasonic jewellery cleaners and steamers should be avoided as they can damage the precious stones of Marcasite jewellery and for the same reason it should never be soaked in water.

Taking good care of marcasite jewellery will make it more beautiful and striking with time.

Marcasite heart pendant

Vintage jewelleries are different and unique as they have sentimental meaning attached to them for their owner. Who doesn’t want their precious jewellery to dazzle for years to come, look lovely and remain heirloom?  To achieve this care and maintenance of these jewelleries are very important and this article contains simple guidelines to be followed towards its care.

Moisture, temperature extremes and direct sunlight are the enemies of vintage jewellery and hence should be avoided. As even newer jewellery can be decades old, clasps, pinbacks and other fittings should be treated carefully and gently. When you first purchase your jewellery, it should be cleaned thoroughly and then this should be followed regularly (many a times cleaning by you may be the first cleaning of the jewellery in years).

The cleaner used should be non abrasive, non acidic and gentle neither containing ammonia nor alcohol. Instead of spraying the cleaner directly on the jewellery which can make it impossible to control where the moisture goes, put a few drops of it on a swab and gently rub on the surface of jewellery. You can also use needle-nose pliers of plastic to reach hard-to-clean areas like back of intricate pieces such as clamper bracelets with the help of tight and small wad of cotton.

Your skin-touching jewellery can lead to accumulation of soil which if left unattended can lead to Verdigris. Although lemon juice, catsup and vinegar have been suggested to be effective in removing it, the truth is far beyond. The metal has been compromised: this can be proved by the presence of even small amount of Verdigris, hence don’t ever purchase such jewellery. Careful handling, regular cleaning and airy, dry room can keep your jewellery safe and damage-free for many years.