About Sunstones
Sunstone is typically red-brown in color with a metallic shimmering effect caused by hematite, goethite or pyrite. The sunstone from Oregon, USA, shimmers due to copper inclusions. These inclusions are responsible for its attractive schiller or "aventurescence" that result in its gold, red, orange or yellow shimmer, but it can also occur in green or blue. Sunstone is the state gemstone of Oregon.
Folklore, Legend, & Healing
Physical Properties
Chemical Formula: (Ca,Na)[(AlSi)2Si2O8]
Crystal Structure: (Triclinic), rare, solid aggregates
Color: Orange, red, brown, pink
Hardness: 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
Refractive Index: 1.525 to 1.548
Cleavage: Perfect
Transparency: Transparent, translucent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous
Fluorescence: Dark brown-red
Sunstone is typically red-brown in color with a metallic shimmering effect caused by hematite, goethite or pyrite. The sunstone from Oregon, USA, shimmers due to copper inclusions. These inclusions are responsible for its attractive schiller or "aventurescence" that result in its gold, red, orange or yellow shimmer, but it can also occur in green or blue. Sunstone is the state gemstone of Oregon.
Folklore, Legend, & Healing
- The Sunstone is linked to good luck, fortune and wealth!
- It is believed to have been worn by the Vikings as talismans and used for navigation because its association with the sun
- In ancient Greece, sunstone was used often in the ornamentation of goblets and plates, and was believed to counteract poison and produce strength
Physical Properties
Chemical Formula: (Ca,Na)[(AlSi)2Si2O8]
Crystal Structure: (Triclinic), rare, solid aggregates
Color: Orange, red, brown, pink
Hardness: 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
Refractive Index: 1.525 to 1.548
Cleavage: Perfect
Transparency: Transparent, translucent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous
Fluorescence: Dark brown-red