Sunstones – Warm, Glittering Gems for Artisans and Enthusiasts

Sunstones, a variety of feldspar minerals, flaunt an unrivaled fiery glow and intense play of light and colors. They range from pale yellow and orange to deep red and gold, with tiny inclusions of copper or hematite causing a shimmering phenomenon called “aventurescence.” Shop now and see why our sunstones don’t stay in stock for long.

Properties of sunstones:

• Composition: Microcline or oligoclase feldspar with copper or hematite inclusions
• Color: Yellow, orange, red, brown, gold, and occasionally green, often with a metallic sheen
• Luster: Vitreous to submetallic, with a reflective sparkle
• Transparency: Transparent to translucent, depending on the specimen
• Hardness: Mohs 6–6.5
• Cleavage: Two well-developed cleavage directions
• Density: 2.62–2.65g/cm³
• Inclusions: Copper platelets (in Oregon sunstones) or hematite (in other varieties)

Sunstones form in volcanic basalt flows, where feldspar crystals appear and trap copper or hematite during cooling. The most famous deposits are in Oregon, where copper inclusions give the stones their distinct glittering effect. Other sources include India, Norway, and Tanzania, each producing sunstones with slightly different characteristics.

Did You Know? According to Icelandic sagas or Viking legends, sailors used sunstones as a type of compass to locate the sun and steer their ships on cloudy days.

Sunstones capture light and color like no other gemstone. Our collection includes faceted gems for jewelry, rough slabs for lapidary work, and collector-grade specimens with exceptional aventurescence. Browse our collection of high-quality sunstones for sale to find one that fuels creativity, completes your vision, or becomes a gift for a fellow enthusiast.