Oregon Sunstone

KAlSi₃O₈, (Na,Ca)Al₁₋₂ Si₃₋₂ O₈

Feature 1

This Oregon Sunstones was found at the Spectrum Mine near Plush, Oregon by Karen and Steve Britt on our very first trip there. The Sunstones are born of volcanic activity where the plagioclase feldspar forms inside Basalt flow. It cools at a different rate as the Basalt and thus crackles like a car window under the pressure of the surrounding rock. Over the course of time, erosion will free them from the softer Basalt or someone with a pick and shovel to expedite the process. Because of these perilous beginnings, large Sunstones are rare. This Sunstone has very delineated striations of Copper Schiller that are best seen at the correct angle in the sunshine. Carving the stone is a new found passion. Sunstones are a 6-7 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes them fairly malleable to artistic sculpting. Every single Sunstone is unique so hand carving seems a fitting homage to its individual beauty which is revealed before my eyes and in my hands during the process. It’s like magic. I hope you enjoy, as much I did, seeing this expressive gem glow.

The Sunstones are born of volcanic activity where the plagioclase feldspar forms inside Basalt flow. It cools at a different rate as the Basalt and thus crackles like a car window under the pressure of the surrounding rock. Over the course of time, erosion will free them from the softer Basalt or someone with a pick and shovel to expedite the process. Because of these perilous beginnings, large Sunstones are rare.

The Oregon Sunstone is very special because it’s the only Sunstone in the world that contains Copper. The inclusion of the Copper is called ‘Schiller’ and can cause the typically clear to sunshine-yellow stone to appear pink, red, maroon, green, and sometimes even blue due of the valence of the mineral.