Sunstone: A Volcanic, Energetic Gemstone

Sunstone comes to us in a very powerful way. Sunstone is formed in the molten lava of a volcano. After a volcano has erupted, the molten lava deteriorates and sunstone crystals emerge.

 

Sunstone is in the feldspar group of stones. Other gemstones classified as feldspar are moonstone, labradorite, and amazonite. Sunstone usually has a hardness rating around 6 or 6.5 on the Mohs scale.

 

Some of the best quality sunstone is found on Norway’s south coastal areas of Hitero and Tvedestrand. The people of Oregon in the United States, however, are also proud of their Oregon sunstone. Sunstone was named the state gemstone of Oregon in 1987. Sunstone has also been found in Canada, Russia, India, and Madagascar.

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The color of sunstone can range from gold/brown to red/brown with sparkling inclusions (known as schiller) that are usually red or brown, but can sometimes be blue or green. Hematite crystals create the sparkling effect. Schiller can be glittery, striped, or opaque. Clean, red sunstone is rare and higher priced. Sunstone is also called aventurine feldspar if it shows large inclusions. Another name for sunstone is heliolite, which is derived from the Greek words helios and lithos, which mean sun and stone, respectively.

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Sunstone was used as barter in ancient times. In ancient Greece, people believed sunstone represented the Sun God and it brought abundance and life to those who possessed it. Sunstones were apparently cherished by Vikings as well. Many sunstones have been discovered in Viking burial mounds. People of the Renaissance period also associated sunstone with the sun because of the stone’s sparkling color. It was a protective stone, used by magicians.

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Metaphysically speaking, some people in today’s era view the sunstone as a source of energy (after all, it came from a powerful volcano) that helps them when they are feeling stressed or under the weather. Sunstone also is believed to aid in thought processes.

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