Drusy
A carpet of tiny crystals glittering across a rock face — drusy brings texture and light to jewelry in a way that a polished stone never can.
About Drusy
Drusy is not a species but a formation: a layer of minute quartz crystals grown across the surface of a host rock, usually inside a geode or a vein cavity. Cut and left uncut on top, that crystal carpet catches light from every direction and produces a sparkle closer to sugar or frost than to a faceted gem.
Natural drusy runs to whites, grays, ambers and soft browns. A great deal of the drusy in the market has been enhanced with a vapour-deposited metal coating — titanium, cobalt, gold — which produces the intense blues, purples and iridescent rainbows. Both are legitimate, and the distinction should be stated plainly.
Because the crystal surface is the point, drusy cannot be polished if it becomes damaged, and it should be treated as a textured surface rather than a hard-wearing one. It is best in pendants, earrings and pieces that do not take direct abrasion.
Why Sharon works with drusy
Sharon uses drusy for contrast — a matte, glittering field against a smooth faceted accent stone. Several of her pieces pair a carved white drusy agate with a single green tourmaline drop, which is a very good demonstration of why texture matters as much as color.
Caring for drusy
Clean with a soft dry brush or a barely damp cloth. Never use ultrasonic cleaners or chemical dips, which can dislodge crystals or damage a coating.
Common questions about drusy
Is drusy natural or treated?
Both exist. Natural drusy is white, gray, amber or brown; the vivid blues, purples and rainbow iridescences are produced by a metallic vapour coating. Sharon states which one you are looking at.
Is drusy durable?
Reasonably hard at 6.5 to 7, but the crystal surface can be abraded and cannot be repolished. It is best suited to pendants and earrings rather than rings.
Drusy jewelry by Sharon Teaman
Each piece is one of a kind and made by hand in State College, Pennsylvania.
Drusy Rare Natural Rainbow Drusy, Onyx Tongue and Green Tourmaline Dangle Earrings - Overall Measurement 50 x 18mm
Drusy$2,995
Drusy W Carved (& Dimensional) White Drusy Agate accented with Green Tourmaline Drop
Tourmaline$2,490
Drusy SS (Directional Color Change) and Amethyst Crescent - Necklace
Drusy$895
Drusy Alex (Color Change Purple to Teal) Freeform Triangles - Earrings
Drusy$550
Drusy Round Blue Drusy with Marquis Amethyst Earrings Sterling Silver
Drusy$495
Drusy White Pearlescent- Earrings Accented with Mystic Topaz
Drusy$395
Drusy pieces Sharon has made before
Sold, but a good indication of what is possible. Any of these can be a starting point for a commission.
Commission a drusy piece
Tell Sharon the color, the shape or the budget you have in mind. She sources drusy year round and will find the right stone before a single sketch is made.