Have you been to InTouch magazine’s web site? I have become addicted to it, not only because of the great Hollywood gossip and fantastic photos of celebs (and their clothes!) but because I can try to win some of these same luxury items through their contests at MadBerries. The other day I was perusing the jewelry section and found an amazing Heather Benjamin ring made of sterling silver and gold drusy. What an unexpected and gorgeous combination! Coincidentally, today I got my August issue of InStyle and what did I find? A gorgeous pair of drusy agate drop earrings from Marcia Moran. So, do I sense a drusy jewelry trend here? And what exactly is drusy?
According to the folks at Wikipedia, drusy literally means “covered by a large number of minute crystals.” These spectacular gems offer a look that is radically different from either a traditional cut gem or smooth cabochon. If you haven’t seen a piece made with drusy, the look is somewhat like looking at a flat surface covered with a mass of granulated sugar, sparkling in the light. Now imagine that the sugar is lemon yellow, acid green or shocking pink!
Quality of these stone is determined not only by color, weight and clarity, (as with traditional colored gemstones) but also by the evenness in size and coverage of the crystals on the matrix. “Good quality drusy is especially rare in non-quartz species, such as garnet and calcite. The durability, or toughness, of the drusy is dependent on the nature of the crystals and the matrix in which they are embedded. For example, drusy on quartz and chalcedony are more durable than on calcite, which is more fragile,” according to the Gemological Institute Of America (GIA).
Drusy’s textured look and rich, dramatic colors have quickly increased the popularity of the gems, which are fast becoming an accepted new genre of gemstones. In addition, innovative designers like Benjamin have also increased use of platinum and gold drusy. Platinum drusy has been coated with platinum using a vapor deposition process. The look produced is a stunning coating of snowy, silver on the crystals, resembling thousands of tiny diamonds. Gold drusy usually has an agate host matrix underneath, which is then coated using gold deposited on the crystals (using the same vapor deposition process as platinum drusy).
The result? Simply beautiful. Hmmm…. it would be wonderful to update my fall wardrobe with some new jewelry incorporating this unique gemstone. Guess I’d better go back and win that ring!
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Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style. From must-have fashion and accessories, to gorgeous gardens, stunning interiors, plus the latest products for parties, weddings, and events of all kinds. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait! Susan Said…WHAT?! was named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone.com.
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