Druses- Druse, Drusy, Druzy Cabochons

Druse Cabochons are semi precious gemstone cabochons with a natural surface texture of fine quartz crystals.

The correct term is actually "Druse Cabochon" but it is also commonly spelled drusy cabochon or druzy cabochon.

Druse is pronounced drooz-ee.

Though I usually use Drusy, to avoid confusion I will use Druse here.

Often any designer cabochon with natural tiny crystals on top is called a druse cabochon.

Druse occurs worldwide. The most common is druse within vugs in agate. But druse occurs on other minerals too, such as: drusy chrysocolla, garnet, calcite, dolomite, hematite, rainbow pyrite, cobaltocalcite, and a variety of other minerals.

When the water on top of a rock evaporates, minerals are left behind to form crystals on top of the rock. The shapes of crystals formed are dependent on fluid composition and the present minerals.

Most druse formed in a cavity, for instance many agates are hollow, and in such cases the center may consist of quartz crystals directed towards the free space, forming a crystal-lined cavity, also known as a geode.

The druse stone often reflects the color of the stone beneath. This gives us an array of spectacular textured crystal cabochons in rich colors. And what makes druse cabochons especially valued is that they often glitter or sparkle!

People refer to the variety of druse cabochons; black, blue, green, etc., as druses or crystal gems.

The popularity of cutting stones with natural crystals on them into jewelry stone cabochons has blossomed in recent years. Even mineral specimens with crystal surfaces are being cut into designer cabochons for jewelry!

In addition some natural druse cabochons are being dyed brilliant colors or coated with titanium, or other substances to give them pearl essence, or iridescence.

Of course, druse crystal cabochons are more fragile than their smooth, domed surface, counterparts and some care must be taken when setting, cleaning, and wearing these stones. Quartz druse is generally durable as quartz has a hardness of 7, but some minerals may be soft, such as the Cobalto Calcite (pink druse) that is only a 3.5. These druse crystal cabochons are best set in pendants or earrings, and are not really suitable for rings and bracelets. Custom designed jewelry with druse cabochons are best used for dress up, rather than every day wear.

Druse cabochons can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and a gentle soap-such as Palmolive dish soap. It is best not to put them in an ultrasonic.

Druse cabochons are usually cut into freeforms to save as much of the crystal surface as possible. Making them truly unique designer cabochons!

Learn more about Druse Agate cabochons.

And see what other varieties of Druse cabochons we have available.