Introduction
Do you know which gemstone was the earliest used by mankind for starting a fire? Well, it was pyrite – this stone was used to create sparks by rubbing it against stones and other metal tools. In fact, archaeologists have discovered prehistoric burial mounds that contained pyrite nodules buried in them, suggesting that in prehistoric times, humans would use this gemstone for fire production. In this blog, we will be specifically touching on the different types of pyrite rings that are sold in the market. We are also going to elaborate on the metal choices you have when you get one such ring made for yourself. So, let us begin our journey into the world of pyrite rings by first discussing the specifics of this stone.
What is Pyrite?
Pyrite, which is known to crystallize in the form of masses, stalactites, cubic, and botryoidal, is a brassy-yellow semi-precious gemstone made of sulfides of iron. Known as “fool’s gold,” this stone has a unique resemblance to gold, and it is known for its beautiful metallic luster. It’s interesting to note that the name of this stone originates from the Greek word “pyr,” which can be roughly translated to fire – this name has been assigned to pyrite because of its ability to create sparks when struck against metals.
Physical Properties of Pyrite
- Color: Generally pale brass-yellow that, at times, tarnishes into darker hues.
- Luster: Metallic
- Hardness: Clocks at 6 to 6.5 on the Moh’s scale of mineral hardness, making it relatively hard. You can scratch glass from this stone.
- Crystal System: Isometric
- Streak: Brownish-black to greenish-black
- Specific Gravity: Between 4.9 and 5.2, resulting in a heavy feel when held in hand.
- Fracture: Conchoidal(shell-like) or irregular
- Cleavage: Poor or indistinct
- Transparency: Opaque
- Magnetism: Paramagnetic, meaning the stone showcases weak, temporary magnetism
Mineral Composition of Pyrite
This stone is composed of Iron sulfide, and its chemical formula is FeS2. The elemental composition of this stone is as follows:
- Iron (Fe): 46.55%
- Sulfur (S): 53.45%
While the basic composition of this stone is FeS2, it can also contain other impurities in trace amounts, such as nickel, arsenic, copper, cobalt, zinc, thallium, gold, silver, selenium, and vanadium.
Different Types of Pyrite Rings Available in the Market
Natural Pyrite Rings
- Rough Crystal Rings: Often available in shapes such as oval, drop, or rough clusters, these rings feature raw pyrite crystal or a crystal in its unpolished form. Used to make a statement because they look bold, these rings look quite striking.
- Pyrite Geode Rings: These gemstone rings feature pyrite in geode form, and the stone set in them is completely unaltered – meaning it possesses natural cuts and fissures that are present on any unaltered pyrite stone. Here, the jeweler tries to maintain the natural fissures of the stone to give it an organic look. Since each geode has a unique shape, these rings are one-of-a-kind pieces.
Faceted Pyrite Rings
These rings are faceted to enhance the natural luster and metallic sheen of the stone. You see these rings mainly as:
- Diamond Cut Pyrite Rings: The cut of the stone within these rings resembles that of a diamond, and although you do not find the stone to showcase sparkle or brilliance, it does have a chic look because of the stone’s diamond-like faceting.
- Rose Cut Pyrite Rings: These rings have a flat base with a domed top having triangular facets, with the facet arrangement resembling the unfurling petals of a rose.
Specialty Pyrite Rings
Cabochon Pyrite Rings
These rings feature pyrite in cabochon form, where the stone has a smooth, domed top surface with a flat base. The top of the ring is generally polished into an oval shape and never is the top found to be faceted.
Druzy Pyrite Rings
On these rings, you find that the surface of the pyrite stone is covered with a bed of tiny, sparking crystals. These small crystals create a glittering, textured appearance and are quite unique and eye-catching to look at.
Which Metal Should You Choose for Your Pyrite Ring?
You can get your pyrite ring in a wide variety of metals – it all depends on the look you desire and your budget. Below are some of the options:
- 925 Sterling Silver: A popular metal choice for these rings is 925 sterling silver – the reason behind this is that sterling silver is affordable, durable, and attractive when used in making gemstone rings. This alloy, composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper, offers a lustrous white metal backdrop that complements the brassy-yellow color of pyrite very well. Other reasons behind the use of sterling silver are:
- It has excellent malleability, and it can be used to craft various intricate details on the ring.
- It offers tarnish resistance, although you do need to get it occasionally polished.
- It has a classic look that suits various styles.
- It is hypoallergenic in nature, meaning it does not cause any metal allergies.
- If you want total tarnish resistance, you can get your ring (that uses 925 sterling silver) plated with rhodium.
- German Silver: German silver, which also goes by the name nickel silver, is an alloy of 60% copper, 20% zinc, and 20% nickel, and contrary to its name, it does not possess any silver. This is a common choice of base metal for pyrite rings, and it offers a silver-like appearance at a much lower price point. The reasons behind its use are as follows:
- It is durable, resistant to tarnishing, and offers a soft, warm appearance.
- It is highly malleable and can be used to create versatile designs.
- Brass: Brass, an alloy containing 67% copper and 33% zinc, is used as the base metal for these rings when the buyer wants a vintage-inspired piece that is affordable as well. The reasons why this metal is used are:
- The warm, golden hues of brass complement the color of the pyrite gem very well.
- This metal is highly durable and shows great corrosion resistance.
- Sometimes, the jewelers allow brass to develop a beautiful blue-green patina to give the ring an antique and rustic look.
- High-End Materials: Although extremely uncommon, at times, you may get your pyrite ring set in precious metals. You mainly have two choices in precious metals:
- Gold: For your ring setting, you can use rose gold, yellow gold, or white gold – all these metals offer a premium look with excellent durability.
- Platinum: If you want real luxury, you can opt for platinum as the metal for your pyrite ring – this metal offers exceptional strength and a stylish, modern appeal.
Conclusion
It’s true that all that glitters is not gold, and looks can be deceiving, but we cannot dismiss the fact that pyrite rings are a beautiful, captivating treasure. So, are you ready to purchase one such ring for yourself? As a customer, you should not worry – you will find countless e-commerce platforms dealing in these gemstone rings and other pyrite jewelry. And what if you are a retailer looking to buy these rings at wholesale prices?
Well, then you can explore our website – we, Rananjay Exports, India’s biggest wholesale gemstone jewelry suppliers, deal in all varieties of pyrite rings, and our gemstone ring collection is available in 200+ different gemstones, all of which are natural and ethically sourced. These jewelry pieces come under our 925 sterling silver jewelry range. For starters, you can begin by exploring our chakra jewelry collection and zodiac sign jewelry collection – these are two of our bestselling collections. Order your favorite jewelry now!
