Oregon sunstone, light brownish green with schiller effect, custom marquise-cut by Tom Munsteiner. 1.64 cts, 16.8 x 6.4 mm, Oregon, USA. © The Gem Trader. Used with permission.
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.
Note: There was a limited sampling of larger sized stones, which may affect pricing accuracy.
The International Gem Society (IGS) has a list of businesses offering gemstone appraisal services.
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.
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.
Custom pendant. 6-ct Oregon sunstone, octagonal cut, diamonds, and platinum. © J. Grahl Design. Used with permission.
Carved Oregon sunstone pieces are valued as much for their artistic merit as for the material itself.
A freeform Oregon sunstone carving by Martha Borzoni of Different Seasons Jewelry. Photo by Jessa and Mark Anderson is licensed under CC By 2.0.
For more information on Oregon sunstone value factors, consult our buying guide.
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Oregon Sunstone |
| Is a Variety of | Feldspar |
| Crystallography | Triclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.559-1.573 |
| Colors | Shades of pink, tan, orange, yellow, green, blue-green, red, and clear as well as multi-colors. |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Polish Luster | Vitreous |
| Hardness | 6-6.5 |
| Wearability | Poor |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Specific Gravity | 2.71-2.73 |
| Birefringence | 0.008 |
| Cleavage | Perfect two directions |
| Heat Sensitivity | No |
| Special Care Instructions | Avoid rough handling |
| Transparency | Transparent to opaque |
| Phenomena | Aventurescence or schiller effect. (See “Identifying Characteristics” below). |
| Formula | Oregon sunstone is a variety of labradorite, a mineral in the plagioclase feldspar solid-solution series, with a composition of 32% albite (NaAlSi3O8) and 68% anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8). |
| Pleochroism | Usually absent in feldspar but notable in Oregon sunstone. (See “Identifying Characteristics” below). |
| Optics | a = 1.559-1.563; γ = 1.569-1.573. Biaxial (+). |
| Optic Sign | Biaxial + |
| Etymology | After the state and the “sun-like” golden red schiller effect found in some of these stones. |
| Occurrence | Basalt flows |
| Inclusions | Copper inclusions. (See “Identifying Characteristics” below). |
Oregon sunstones, showing color range (~ 1 to 5 cts). Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.
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.
Red Oregon sunstones. Note the glittery schiller effect of the leftmost gem on the top row. Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.
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.
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.”
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.
Oregon sunstones. © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
Oregon sunstone rough and cut set, Plush, Lake County, Oregon, USA. 2.7 x 1.7 x 0.9 cm (natural crystal), 3.57 cts (brilliant oval-cut gem). © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.
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.
14k white gold ring featuring a 3.67-ct Oregon sunstone from the Butte Mine and 0.21-ctw diamonds. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Roland NY.
Our Oregon sunstone buying guide can help you learn how these gems are graded and how to identify a high quality stone or a bargain in the rough.
Oregon Sunstone Buying Guide
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