Overview of Sunstone
About
Sunstone is a member of the feldspar family, recognised for its warm, glittering appearance. Its characteristic shimmer, known as aventurescence, is caused by light reflecting off tiny inclusions of copper or hematite within the stone. Sunstone’s colour ranges from pale yellow and orange to red, pink, and brown. It is often translucent to opaque, with the best-quality stones showing a vibrant play of colour and internal sparkle.
Sunstone History and Folkore
Birthstones & Anniversaries
Although not a traditional birthstone, sunstone is often linked to the zodiac signs of Leo and Libra due to its association with vitality, leadership, and balance.
Facts
Aventurescence: The shimmering effect seen in sunstone is due to the presence of copper platelets or hematite inclusions.
Oregon Sunstone: A particularly famous variety found in the United States, which is prized for its reddish and golden hues.
Science
Mineral: Sunstone (Feldspar)
Crystal System: Triclinic
Chemistry: (Ca,Na)(Al,Si)₄O₈
Colour: Yellow, orange, red, pink, brown, occasionally with flashes of gold or green
Refractive Index: 1.537 to 1.547
Birefringence: 0.007 to 0.013
Specific Gravity: 2.62 to 2.65
Mohs Hardness: 6 to 6.5
Similar Materials
Aventurine: A quartz variety that also displays aventurescence but is usually green or blue and lacks sunstone’s warm tones.
Goldstone: A man-made glass product that mimics sunstone’s sparkle but is created using copper particles embedded in glass.
Treatments
Most sunstones are untreated, but some lower-quality stones may be enhanced with copper diffusion.
Synthetics
None known.
Imitations
Sunstone can be imitated by glass or other man-made materials that attempt to mimic its sparkling effect, but these lack the natural inclusions that give real sunstone its depth and texture.
Why We Love Sunstone
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Browse our collection of Sunstone crystals and gemstones.
