Debbie Marx – The Crystal Vendor

Felicity Rosa-Davies, Eliot Klus, Scarlett London, Maiwen Claunch, and Simon Shavit|October 15, 2021

Ever since she can remember, Debbie Marx, a vendor at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, has had an affinity for collecting rocks and stones.
“The rocks are my life,” Marx said. “I mean, I love them. But it’s the connections you make with the people over the stones that are really the true jewels.”
After studying geology in college, Marx worked with two highly trained jewelry designers from the Parsons School of Design. While living in Gloucester, MA., she also worked at a metaphysical crystal jewelry shop. It was there that she discovered her love for natural quartz crystals.

Marx’s Amethyst necklaces displayed at the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market. During the pandemic, Marx did well. She has always loved working outside and was able to embrace that during COVID. Photographer – Felicity Rosa Davies

“I wasn’t metaphysical at all, I was more scientific,” Marx said. “But that’s where my love of stones got to be the star. I did all the crystal wrapping and figured out a new way of altering the wire to fit the crystal. It was the first jewelry I had ever done. It kind of became my thing.”
Now, Marx sources her stones from rock and gem shows, vintage antique shops or fellow collectors.
“Right now I’m loving the amethyst, because of the source,” Marx said. “I’m getting it from a person from Uruguay who is so nice. When you meet people like this at rock shows and gem shows, you make a great connection. The pieces from Uruguay are a little different. There is a deeper grape-jelly purple that is so precious. When I’m bringing my suitcase back from Arizona, I throw out pajamas and tops and stuff rocks in my boots. I take as many as I can fit in my suitcase.”

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About the Writers

Felicity Rosa-Davies, Journalist

Felicity Rosa-Davies is a senior at Community High School. This is her first year on Communicator Staff, and has been an editor for the VOICE literary magazine for two years. When she's not in school, Felicity enjoys photography, going on late-night bike rides, and drinking peach bubble tea!

Eliot Klus, Feature Editor

Eliot Klus is a junior who splits his time between Community and Pioneer and is in his third semester on staff for The Communicator, his second in leadership. When not stressing over deadlines or conducting Zoom interviews, Eliot is most likely trying to catch up on emails and sleep. Both have so far proven fruitless. Eliot is still drinking water, just maybe not in as ludicrous amounts as before.

Scarlett London, Web Editor-In-Chief

Scarlett London is a senior at CHS. This is her seventh semester in journalism and her second year as Web Editor-in-Chief. When she's not editing articles or listening to music, she loves driving around with friends, watching movies, and looking at art. She loves dancing and spends time every day at the studio. She also sits on the teen editorial board for jGirls magazine. She has been involved with The Communicator since her freshman year and is excited to return as Editor-in-Chief this year!

Maiwen Claunch, Journalist

Maiwen Claunch is a sophomore at Community High School. This is her first semester as a member of the Communicator Staff. She loves to spend her time with friends, skateboarding, studying in coffee shops, and going to the gym. This school year, she is looking forward to getting out into the community and meeting interesting people with stories to tell.

Simon Shavit, Journalist

Simon is currently a junior at Community High School and split enrolls at Huron High School. He is in his first semester on Communicator staff and is excited for the new school year. When he isn't at crew practice, he enjoys playing video games, watching TV, and playing instruments. He also likes to hangout with friends and relax at home with his two cats.