Loose Faceted, Cabochons, Briolettes & Beads
Oregon sunstone–cut into loose faceted stones, cabochons, briolettes and beads–makes absolutely beautiful jewelry that catches the light and turns heads even in dimly lit rooms!
We are particularly fond of this stone because it is how we got started in the business. In fact we like Oregon sunstone so much that it is now our flagship product.
Origins of Oregon Sunstone
Oregon Sunstone is a unique American gemstone found only in the high desert of Southeastern Oregon!
A member of the feldspar series, this gem comes in a remarkable array of colors. Some range from water clear to the hue of a good champagne. These are often referred to as “Plush Diamonds” after the little town near the main mining area.
More highly prized are the colored stones ranging from subtle peach, apricot, and pink to deep cherry red. Rarer yet are various shades of green and even teal. To top it off, Oregon Sunstone occasionally shows two or three colors in the same stone.
Sometimes you see different colors depending on how you turn the stone. Many fans of Sunstone favor the ‘schiller’ stones, which show aventuresence from the presence of copper platelets within the stones. All of these colors of Sunstone are cut into fine gems.
In 1987 Oregon made sunstone the official state gemstone. It has only been commercially mined and marketed since about 1995, but it has been steadily gaining in popularity in recent years.
Rogue Gem’s Sunstones
All of our rough comes from miners in the Rabbit Basin of Lake County, Oregon. Our stones are always cut by master craftsmen, and they are never treated or enhanced in any way.
We try to keep an assortment of designer cut stones in calibrated sizes available at all times for our customers. Be sure to check out our calibrated matched pairs, which is one of our specializations.
Oregon Sunstone Briolettes
To our knowledge, we were the first to make briolettes from Oregon sunstone.
In fact we (and our customers) have found it to be an excellent use of schiller sunstones. The schiller loves movement, and earrings and pendants made from it glimmer and glow even in low light.
We cut and drill the brios in various ways. For example, we have traditional teardrop faceted shapes, swirl bar cut shapes, and smooth drops. We half drill the stones partway down from the top, and cross-drill them all the way through from side to side.
Oregon Sunstone Faceted Beads
Oregon sunstone also makes wonderful beads. Our inventory of beads varies, so please contact us if you don’t see what you’re looking for.
Technical Information
Oregon sunstone is labradorite, a member of the plagioclase feldspar series. It formed in lava flows that cover much of southeastern Oregon. Millions of years ago, a magma chamber below the earth’s surface supported the correct conditions for the growth of labradorite crystals. A small amount of copper was also present in the magma. It co-crystalized with labradorite and accounts for the colors and phenomena (schiller) of Oregon sunstone. The crystals were eventually brought to the earth’s surface by magma outflows
Refractive Index: 1.525-1.58
Specific gravity: 2.6-2.70
Hardness: 6.5 – 7 (Mohs’s scale)
Cleavage: Perfect in 2 directions
Crystal system: Triclinic
Metaphysical Properties
Characteristics: Strength, benevolence, leadership, warmth, good fortune
Element: Fire
Chakras: Sacral (2nd) & Solar Plexus (3rd)
