Oregon Sunstone: The Oregon Diamond

Oregon sunstone is currently one of the most mined gemstones in the United States. Molten lava, after blasting from a volcano, deteriorates and produces the Oregon sunstone. Oregon sunstone is gem quality and can be used for jewelry.

 

In 1987, the state of Oregon named sunstone as its official gemstone. The people of Oregon sometimes refer to the Oregon sunstone as the Oregon Diamond. Several places in Oregon allow the public to search for Oregon sunstone themselves. This is an activity that is safe for all ages. There are two methods of searching for the gemstone: specking, or by digging. Specking is when a person just looks for pieces of Oregon sunstone on the surface of the ground. Digging is simply probing deeper into the ground to look for that more elusive treasure.

 

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Oregon sunstone normally has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale, although some Oregon sunstones have occasionally been a little harder, measuring as hard as 7.2.

 

The color of an Oregon sunstone will vary, depending on the amount of copper it contains. The schiller in an Oregon sunstone could be red, pink, clear, yellow, green, or multi-colored. Green, red, and multi-colored stones are rare, and pink is the most common. Schiller is hematite crystal particles that reflect light.

 

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Oregon sunstone is from the feldspar family of minerals. Feldspars also include moonstone, labradorite, and amazonite.

 

Metaphysically speaking, Oregon sunstone gives an energetic boost to those that are feeling stress or those that are not feeling well. It has also been said to strengthen thought processes.

 

Oregon sunstone ranges in value from $20 per carat to as much as $2500 per carat. The least valuable are the clear or pale yellow, while the red or green (due to the rareness) Oregon sunstone fetches a higher price.

 

The beauty of Oregon sunstone is enhanced when it is set in platinum or gold jewelry. Many men wear this stone in rings, tie tacks, and cufflinks.

 

 

 

   

 

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