The Uniquely All-American Gem ...
Oregon Sunstone!
Oregon Sunstone is found only in the remote South Central Grasslands |
Collectors and jewelry lovers from all over the world are fast becoming aware of this uniquely American gemstone. This is really, really unusual material. There's nothing like it available anywhere else in the world, and I can't get enough of the unique metallic glitter that comes from the patterns of copper inside of this gem.
And don't get me started on how transparent it is!
Oregon Sunstone and Silver Double Strand Bracelet |
Unique to Sunstone from Oregon is the schiller phenomenon, caused by the millions of microscopic copper bits found in each stone. The schiller phenomenon makes the Sunstone appear to glow as if it had it's own internal light source, and creates a beautiful shimmer effect inside the stone. These gems, also known as 'Red Labradorite', formed in lava flows that cover much of southeastern Oregon. Inside the lava flow is a matrix where the colored sunstones are found.
Spectacular stones in rare Dichroic Green, Reds and Pinks (Sold) |
These stones are, when cut, some of the most beautiful gems around!
They are only found in one area of Oregon that is very remote. Colors of the stone vary from clear, champagne, yellow, light pink, salmon, orange, and red to blue-green. Intense red and blue-green are the colors that are most rare. Sometimes, when viewed from different angles, as many as three colors will show within one stone. It's a luminous gemstone with fine grained coppery shiller which allows for transparency in the stone yet still produces the phenomenon of aventurescence or "glitter". Some are bichroic and dichroic color-change stones - which produce different colors under different lights and at different angles.
See this bracelet at jQ jewelry designs on Etsy |
Oregon Sunstone is not enhanced in any way like many other gemstones. There is no use of chemicals, irradiation, heat-treating, or oiling of any kind. What you get is exactly as the stone exists in nature, simply beautiful.
Sunstone is the official Oregon State Gemstone. It is also an ancient gem and has been discovered in Viking burial mounds. The Vikings thought it was a talisman for navigation.
Petite nuggets paired with large sterling silver earwires |
In the rugged high desert of south central Oregon, embedded in ancient volcanic lava under the sage brush and grass . . .
. . . lies Oregon Sunstone
I love working with nuggets drilled in both directions, and this is the finest Oregon Sunstone
I've had the pleasure of seeing ... all the gorgeous rare colors. It's unlikely I'll be working with the strand you see above anytime soon ۞ bargain-priced at only $795!!!
I've had the pleasure of seeing ... all the gorgeous rare colors. It's unlikely I'll be working with the strand you see above anytime soon ۞ bargain-priced at only $795!!!