Oregon Sunstone Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
While feldspar sunstones from sources around the world have been used for carvings and cabochons, Oregon sunstone material has proven to be facetable, too. These stones frequently display a stunning glowing or glittery optical effect.
2 Minute Read
While feldspar sunstones from sources around the world have been used for carvings and cabochons, Oregon sunstone material has proven to be facetable, too. These stones frequently display a stunning glowing or glittery optical effect.
Start an IGS Membership today
for full access to our price guide (updated monthly).Oregon Sunstone Value
Schiller
- Color Intensity: Light, medium, deep
- Color Range: Clear, gold, peach, coral, orange, red, green
- Transparency: Translucent to Opaque
Clear Hues
- Color Intensity: Light
- Color Range: Clear, gold, peach, coral, pink, red, green, blue
- Transparency: Transparent
Mid-Deep Tones
- Color Intensity: Medium to deep
- Color Range: Strong Peach, orange, red, green, blue
- Transparency: Transparent
Constellation, AKA Aventurescent
- Color Intensity: Medium to deep
- Color Range: Strong peach, orange, red, green, blue
- Transparency: Transparent
Two Tone (Dichroic)
- Color Intensity: Medium to deep
- Color Range: Strong peach, orange, red, green, blue
- Transparency: Transparent
Classic Sunstone
- Color Intensity: Combination of light-medium or light-deep
- Color Range: Gold, peach, coral, pink, red, green, blue
- Transparency: Transparent
Note: There was a limited sampling of larger sized stones, which may affect pricing accuracy.
Mystique
- Color Intensity: Light, medium, deep
- Color Range: Gold, peach, coral, pink, red, green, blue
- Transparency: Transparent
Pale yellow to colorless, non-phenomenal Oregon sunstones, whether native-cut or calibrated stones, may go for a few dollars per carat to $20 per carat for a custom cut. Pinks and tans, with and without a schiller effect, commonly range up to $50 per carat, depending on the effect.
- Oregon sunstone, twisted top emerald cut, coppery pink orange color, 2.57 cts. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.
- Oregon sunstone, Portuguese brilliant cut, peachy straw-yellow color, 4.20 cts. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.
Opaque, cabbed stones are modestly priced. Some greens, strong pinks, and reds, as well as bi-colored and tri-colored stones, with and without schiller, range from $50 to $300 per carat.
Large stones (over three carats) with an intense red color may retail for as much as $1,700 per carat. The best greens are very rare and may cost more than the best reds.
Carved Oregon sunstone pieces are valued as much for their artistic merit as for the material itself.
For more information on Oregon sunstone value factors, consult our buying guide.
What is Oregon Sunstone?
Gem collectors and jewelry lovers from all over the world are fast becoming aware of this uniquely American gemstone. While many varieties of labradorite feldspar can display aventurescence or schiller and are commonly called "sunstones," those effects are typically caused by inclusions of hematite or goethite. In contrast, the labradorite sunstones found in Oregon have inclusions of copper. This unique happenstance means these gemstones may both display a schiller effect and transparency. This makes them highly desirable as faceted jewelry stones.
Intense red and transparent gems with schiller are in great demand. However, many color varieties occur in Oregon, with and without the glowing effect.
Oregon Sunstone Symbolism
Although a relative newcomer to many in the gem buying public, Oregon sunstone has traditionally been valued and traded by the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. In 1987, Oregon officially declared it its state gemstone. In the esoteric realm of birthstone mythology, sunstones are considered the phenomenal birthstone for those born on Sunday.
Is Oregon Sunstone the Same Thing as Viking Sunstone?
Although they share a name (and pleochroism, the display of two or more colors when viewed from different angles), Oregon sunstones are not the so-called "sunstones" Vikings reputedly used to navigate on overcast days or when the sun was low in the Arctic sky. Pleochroic iolite was most likely the "Viking Compass."
Identifying Characteristics
Inclusions
The only feldspar sunstone with copper inclusions is Oregon sunstone. However, not all specimens display the schiller effect. The copper inclusions in Oregon sunstone come in varieties like threads, spots, sheets, and clouds.
Pleochroism
| Stone Color | Pleochroism |
| Yellow | colorless/light yellow |
| (Multi-colored) red-orange | violet /reddish orange |
| (Multi-colored) blue-green | blueish green/light red |
| Red Orange | orange/light reddish purple |
| Blueish green | blueish green/light orange/colorless |
| Orange | orange/reddish orange |
| Yellowish green | blueish green/light orange |
| Blue-green and violet | red-violet/reddish orange/blueish green |
Synthetics
Oregon sunstones have not been synthesized. However, goldstone, a synthetic material made of glass with copper inclusions, may be used as a simulant. A gemologist can easily distinguish a natural Oregon sunstone from one of these glass pieces.
Enhancements
Although plagioclase feldspars such as andesine can be enhanced with the addition of copper through heating and pressure treatments, Oregon sunstone isn't known to be enhanced or treated. It acquires its copper naturally.
Sources
Substantial amounts of high-value Oregon sunstone rough are now being extracted from its namesake state.
Harney County and Lake County, Oregon produce Oregon sunstone. Companies on private claims mine most of this material. However, there's a public Sunstone Collection Area in Lake County.
Caring for Oregon Sunstone Jewelry
Because of their hardness of 6 to 6.5, Oregon sunstones are best suited for jewelry such as pendants, earrings, brooches, or other pieces that won't endure heavy wear. Common dust has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 and will scratch this material. Steel can also scratch gems with a hardness of 6. For ring use, place Oregon sunstones in protective settings.
The best cleaning method for Oregon sunstones is warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. Avoid mechanical cleaning methods such as ultrasonic systems and steam. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more information.
Examples of Oregon Sunstones
Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA
Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com
Barbara Smigel, PhD. GG
Barbara Smigel is a GIA certified gemologist, facetor, jewelry designer, gem dealer, gemology instructor and creator of the well-regarded educational websites acstones.com and bwsmigel.info.
International Gem Society
Related Articles
Oregon Sunstone Buying Guide
Humite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Pectolite (Larimar) Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Saltwater Pearls Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Latest Articles
What is the Best Lap for Polishing Sapphire?
Seven Famous Pearls and Their Histories
Opal Stones and Gems: Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Seven Stunning but Delicate Engagement Ring Stones
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!