Oregon Sunstones are a bright multi-colored gemstone of the feldspar mineral group.
The first new natural domestic gemstone discovered in decades, the mineral content of the Oregon Sunstone differs from feldspar found any place else in the world.
A geologist describes how sunstones are created.
This natural gemstone ranges in size from 3 to 100 carats and rates 6.5 - 7.2 in hardness.
The primary colors of Oregon Sunstone gems span from water (crystal) clear to soft champagne pinks and brilliant tones of red.
This gemstone can appear multi-colored when viewed from different directions and under various sources of light.
Seemingly transparent gems can produce a pink to metallic shimmering flash when rotated.
This effect, referred to as schiller, is caused by light refracting from minute parallel metallic particles suspended in the stone, creating the dramatic appearance unique to the Oregon Sunstone.
On August 4, 1987, Oregon State Legislature designated Oregon Sunstone as its state gemstone by joint resolution.