(by 17 people)
Sunstone is a little know gem that is gaining in popularity
Suntone in found in United States (Oregon), India, Canada, South Norway and Russia.
Gems can be clear and sparkle like diamonds, golden orange or display vibrant rainbow colors.
Oregon Sunstone
Oregon Sunstone is a calcium rich species of plagioclase feldspar
The colors of Oregon Sunstone tend to be pastel in nature and range from clear or light yellow champagne, pink, orange, reddish-orange, orangey-red, raspberry, red, green, bicolor red green, copper colored.
The least valuable of these gems is the pale yellow to colorless non-phenomenal type. These can be purchased for just a few dollars a carat.
Gems in greens, strong pinks and reds as well as the bicolor and tricolor stones with and without shimmer can be purchased in the $50 - $300/ct range.
Large red gems weighing 3 carats or more are the most valuable and can cost a whopping $1700 a carat!
Oregon Sunstones
The least valuable of these gems is the pale yellow to colorless non-phenomenal type. These can be purchased for just a few dollars a carat.
Gems in greens, strong pinks and reds as well as the bicolor and tricolor stones with and without shimmer can be purchased in the $50 - $300/ct range.
Large red gems weighing 3 carats or more are the most valuable and can cost a whopping $1700 a carat!
Oregon Sunstones
Great gems from Oregon
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Great must have items for the gem lover
Polished Blue Sunstone Pendant with Sterling Silver Chain
Charming polished Blue Sunstone Point with Sterlin more...0 points
Polished Gold Sunstone Pendant with Sterling Silver Chain
Wonderful polished Gold Sunstone point with Sterli more...0 points
What make Oregon Sunstone so sparkly?
Oregon Sunstone almost appears to glow.
This sparkly glow is caused by reflective inclusions of red, orange or green crystals. History of Sunstone
Sunstone is an ancient gem. It has been found in Viking burial grounds. It is thought that Sunstone may have aided in navigation much like Iolite gems did.Sunstone is a member of the feldspar group of minerals and is closely related to Moonstones.
Sunstone produce two types of material, one that is cut into cabochon or made into beads like opal or jade and the other is Gems quality and can be faceted like a diamond or sapphire.
The cabochon and bead material exhibits a unique visual phenomenon known as "schiller".
This is caused by millions of microscopic copper platelets that reflect light with varying intensities depending on their concentrations. The "schiller" phenomenon makes the stone appear to glow even when viewed from a distance. As seen in the pictures above.
Although Sunstone have been known for centuries it was not until 1990 when high grade Sunstone was found in Oregon that Sunstone became popular.
Sunstone has since become the State stone of Oregon.
Faceted Sunstones
Beautiful faceted Sunstones
Due to the refractive inclusions clear Sunstone sparkle like diamonds.
What did you think? Did you learn something new?
Have you ever seen an Oregon Sunstone before?
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Posted November 10, 2007
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Posted September 17, 2007
elaines wrote...
Very beautiful items - your lenses are always awesome! 5 stars!!
Posted August 07, 2007
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