Sunstone
is a member of the Feldspar Group of minerals that also
includes Albite,
Amazonite,
Andesine, Anorthite, Bytownite, Hyalophane, Labradorite,
Moonstone,
Oligoclase, Orthoclase, Sanidine
and Sunstone. Sunstone
from Oregon is actually Labradorite with microscopic
particles of copper suspended in the host
material that create a Schiller effect. This effect
is the reflection of light off the partcles of suspended
copper. Oregon Sunstone is available in colors of light
champagne, yellow, orange, red and green. Some
gems may be bi-colored with red and green. This variation
of color is due to the presence of copper and lead in
the composition. Another type of Sunstone
exists. This other Sunstone is an Oligoclase and typically
has inclusions of hematite or pyrite instead of copper
and is abundant as cabochons from India.
Sunstone
gets its name from the bright, flashy Schiller
effect. The name Feldspar is from the Swedish feldt + spat
meaning that it was found in fields overlying granite.
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