For the uneducated; exactly what is “druzy” that is being talked
about so much?
Ralph Cross
Frmont Jewelers
Ralph, Druse is the mineralogical term for a coating of very small
crystals which occurs occasionally in the geological environment.
When used as an adjective it is correctly spelled “drusy” as in drusy
quartz. Unfortunately, the incorrect spelling (druzy) is becoming
more common, but that doesn’t make it correct.
Some minerals, such as quartz, commonly form druse, some never form
it. It requires a mineralogical environment at the time of formation
that allows hydrothermal enrichment, generally low temperature/low
pressure, and not all minerals can crystallize in such an
environment.
Wayne Emery
exactly what is "druzy"
Hi Ralph, Druzy is the generally accepted term for a coating of tiny
crystals on matrix (base rock). It isn’t specific to any mineral, but
there are a few being used frequently in jewelry. It often looks like
colored sugar you might see on a holiday cookie, but very densely
packed. The color depends on the mineral. Here are a few of the more
popular varieties you might encounter:
Cobaltocalcite - Also referred to as “Pepto-Bismol” stone, due to
the real name being a bear. The pink color of the druzy is almost
exactly that of the medicine in the bottle.
Psilomelane - Pronounced sa-lom-a-lane. Black druzy… but also
yields black-on-black banded material in its massive form.
Uvarovite - Kind of light minty green?
Cool names, huh? Toss them around at your next cocktail party and
see the heads turn! There are also a variety of quartz druzys… and
people are now starting to treat, coat, dye, etc. the material for
different effects. If I’m not mistaken, a titanium coated variety is
out that has kind of a peacock effect. I prefer using natural
materials whenever possible.
I just got scans in from some new slides… I’ll be posting a new
piece on my Web site shortly that has cobaltocalcite and pink
tourmalines set in 14k gold. Check back in a couple days!
All the best,
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com
Drusy are the small crystals located on the basic rock which makes
the rock glitter.
To see more explanation see my website, click on the drusy category
where there is some explanation.
Diane Sadel
http://www.sweetgemstones.com
Cobaltocalcite - Also referred to as "Pepto-Bismol" stone, due to the real name being a bear. The pink color of the druzy is almost exactly that of the medicine in the bottle.
Interesting, Dave. This is totally idle curiosity, but I wonder…
Cobaltocalcite is presumably colored by cobalt. I know from decades
of ceramics that cobalt carbonate is pink, whereas cobalt oxide is
typical cobalt blue. Does that mean that heat or other treatment
would turn cobaltocalcite blue? Heating in a ceramic kiln invariably
tuns cobalt carb blue, though, of course, the conditions are rather
different. In any case, it might not be an improvement, especially if
you love Pepto Bismal, or Barbie Pink.
–Noel