Sunstone Quality Factors

This 11-ct. bicolor sunstone is highly desirable for its color alone. An attractive display of aventurescence and a unique cut make it even more valuable. – Robert Weldon
This 11-ct. bicolor sunstone is highly desirable for its color alone. An attractive display of aventurescence and a unique cut make it even more valuable. – Robert Weldon

Color 
Most sunstones have yellow, orange, or brown bodycolor. Green is extremely rare. Small inclusions create a reddish or golden sheen on top of any bodycolor, while larger inclusions create attractive, glittery reflections. Sunstone inclusions can be hematite, copper, or some other mineral.

The 2.40-ct. faceted bicolor gem displays an unusual green and yellow combination. Gem cutters seek ways to display unusual colors from rough like the 9.36-ct. specimen. – Robert Weldon
The 2.40-ct. faceted bicolor gem displays an unusual green and yellow combination. Gem cutters seek ways to display unusual colors from rough like the 9.36-ct. specimen. – Robert Weldon
These fine-quality gems display some of the sunstone colors found in the Plush, Oregon, mining area. – Jeff Scovil, courtesy Jeff Scovil
These fine-quality gems display some of the sunstone colors found in the Plush, Oregon, mining area. – Jeff Scovil, courtesy Jeff Scovil

Oregon sunstone is a transparent feldspar with copper inclusions. It comes colorless as well as in a wide variety of colors, including pale yellow, pink with brilliant aventurescence, orange, red, green, and blue-green. The red version is often marketed as “spinel red,” and its vivid hue—if not its hardness—rivals spinel or even ruby.

Deep red sunstone from the Ponderosa mine is marketed as spinel red. Although it’s not as hard as spinel or ruby, this sunstone type has a vivid scarlet hue that can be equally lovely. – Bart Curren
Deep red sunstone from the Ponderosa mine is marketed as spinel red. Although it’s not as hard as spinel or ruby, this sunstone type has a vivid scarlet hue that can be equally lovely. – Bart Curren

Some Oregon sunstones are either bicolored or tricolored, and a rare few display color change. Currently, the top deep green, deep red, and intensely bicolored sunstones are considered extra fine.

Some sunstones are bicolored, which makes them ideal for free-style designer cuts (bottom). They might also be tricolored, like this lovely 32.80-ct. Oregon sunstone (top). The cut is a spectacular example of the sculptor’s artistry. – Tino Hammid (left); Maha Tannous, courtesy Dust Devil Mining Company, Beaver, Oregon (top)
Some sunstones are bicolored, which makes them ideal for free-style designer cuts (bottom). They might also be tricolored, like this lovely 32.80-ct. Oregon sunstone (top). The cut is a spectacular example of the sculptor’s artistry. – Tino Hammid (bottom); Maha Tannous, courtesy Dust Devil Mining Company, Beaver, Oregon (top)

Cut 
Sunstone is available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from exquisite fantasy cuts for designer jewelry to precise caliber cuts for manufacturers.

This “Dreamscape” fantasy-cut sunstone was created by gem designer John Dyer. – Lydia Dyer, Gem courtesy of John Dyer & Co.
This “Dreamscape” fantasy-cut sunstone was created by gem designer John Dyer. – Lydia Dyer, Gem courtesy of John Dyer & Co.
Caliber-cut sunstones are available for mass-market production or custom jewelry designs. – Valerie Power, courtesy Desert Sun Mining & Gem Co., Inc.
Caliber-cut sunstones are available for mass-market production or custom jewelry designs. – Valerie Power, courtesy Desert Sun Mining & Gem Co., Inc.

Clarity 
All Oregon sunstones have an extra sheen that’s caused by copper inclusions. The sheen is there even if the inclusions aren’t large enough to create actual aventurescence.

A photomicrograph shows inclusions in a gem from Oregon’s Ponderosa Mine, magnified 12 times
A photomicrograph shows inclusions in a gem from Oregon’s Ponderosa Mine, magnified 12 times. – Shane F. McClure, courtesy Dr. E. J. Gübelin Collection
These oligoclase sunstone cabochons display an attractive aventurescent sparkle. – Edward Gubelin, courtesy Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Collection
These oligoclase sunstone cabochons display an attractive adventurescent sparkle. – Edward Gubelin, courtesy Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Collection

Carat Weight
Sunstone can be found in relatively large sizes, but most caliber-cut stones weigh one carat or less.

The unusual size of this 146.07-ct. oligoclase sunstone dwarfs the sunstones, moonstones, and other gems in the background. – Terri Weimer, courtesy Blue Moon Enterprise
The unusual size of this 146.07-ct. oligoclase sunstone dwarfs the sunstones, moonstones, and other gems in the background. – Terri Weimer, courtesy Blue Moon Enterprise