What is Oregon Sunstone
Oregon Sunstone with “constellation schiller” so called because of the way it emulates the stars
Schiller orientated to show a streaking effect is highly sought after in colored Oregon Sunstone
Sometimes other vendors will attempt to pass these off as Oregon Sunstone but they are not. These are Indian or African Sunstone
Oregon sunstone is one of the few gemstones in the world with a legally defined geographic origin — a naturally untreated feldspar gem found only in the high desert of southeastern Oregon. Its flashing copper schiller, wide color range, and all-American mining story have made it a favorite of collectors and jewelry lovers alike. This guide covers what it is, where it comes from, what it’s worth, and how to know you’re getting the real thing.
About Oregon Sunstone
Oregon Sunstone is classified as a cuprian labradorite feldspar. What does this mean? Feldspar is the crystal type. Labradorite might be a stone you’ve seen with shimmering colors. Sunstone is a type of labradorite in the feldspar class.
While there are other “sunstones” which are labradorite feldspars, only Schiller Oregon sunstone is “cuprian,” containing copper inclusions. It’s these microscopic bits of copper known as “schiller” that give Oregon sunstone jewelry its shimmering effect. Sometimes it appears as a “constellation effect” as seen in the photo on the left. Sometimes it’s called “cloud schiller,” as in the photo on the right, where it looks like little wisps or clouds across the stone. Sometimes you don’t see any schiller at all in the stone, but all Oregon gemstones contain copper, which will color the stone from a champagne gold to pink, to orange, to bright red, to teal or green or combinations of all these colors. These qualities make it perfect for sunstone rings and other fine Oregon sunstone jewelry.
More information about schiller can be found at the Gemological Society’s schiller guide.
How to Tell Real Oregon Sunstone
- Look for the schiller. Tilt the stone under a light — genuine Oregon sunstone flashes coppery metallic sparkle as it moves. Glass imitations don’t do this.
- Check the origin claim. Real Oregon sunstone should be sold as “Oregon” sunstone specifically. Vague “natural sunstone” listings are usually Indian or other material.
- Don’t be confused by imitations. Search “andesine” for more information about fakes. Indian or African sunstone contains hematite inclusions rather than copper — it is generally opaque or only slightly translucent with large, multicolored inclusions, as you can see in the photo above. A bright orange piece of “other sunstone” looks quite different from authentic Oregon sunstone jewelry.
- Buy from the source when you can. Oregon gemstones on this website are all hand-dug by me. I saw them come out of the ground in Eastern Oregon, and I guarantee the authenticity. For expensive stones from any seller, an independent gem lab report confirming natural, untreated feldspar is worth having.
Where Is Oregon Sunstone Found?
Gem-quality Oregon sunstone comes from a small region of Oregon’s high desert, primarily in Lake and Harney Counties near the town of Plush. It was brought to worldwide attention after its discovery at the Ponderosa mine in 1980.
Today it is recovered in two ways:
- Public collecting — the BLM’s Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area at Rabbit Basin (about 23 miles north of Plush) is open for casual rockhounding. Most first-timers find small, pale stones — a fun trip, but rarely jewelry-grade rough.
- Private mines — commercial mines in the same district (including the Dust Devil, Spectrum, and Double Eagle mines) produce the facet-grade rough that becomes fine jewelry. This is where miners like us work.
Oregon Sunstone Colors
Oregon sunstone has one of the widest color ranges of any American gemstone:
- Champagne / water-clear — the most common; bright and clean
- Yellow and peach — soft, sunny tones
- Pink and salmon — among the most popular for jewelry
- Orange and red-orange — vivid and fiery
- Red — rare and highly prized, especially with strong schiller
- Green and teal — the rarest colors; true greens command strong prices
- Bicolor — two colors in one stone (e.g., red/green), visible from different angles
Fine reds and greens with strong copper schiller are the collector grades.
History of Oregon Sunstone
Oregon Sunstone is found in a remote area of Eastern Oregon and is very hard to find unless you know what you’re looking for, making it one of the most prized Oregon gemstones.
Oregon Native Americans valued Oregon Sunstone and traded it across the West. They would also use it in medicine ceremonies and in sacred bundles. It has been found in many Native burial sites. The ancient legend is that a warrior was wounded by an enemy’s arrow and died on the ground, his blood staining the rocks red, and this is where Oregon Sunstone comes from.
In the late 1800s, Tiffany and Co. of New York was concerned about the availability of diamonds and, hearing about Oregon Sunstone, purchased mining rights in the area with the idea of selling “Plush Diamonds,” named after the little town of Plush, Oregon near the deposits. Unfortunately, the mining was so difficult and the area so remote that Tiffany gave up on Oregon Sunstones by the 1950s. In 1987, the Oregon state legislature named Oregon Sunstone the state gemstone.
Oregon Sunstone has enjoyed a renaissance in the last few years, especially with people who want a unique or special stone for their jewelry or who want US-sourced Oregon gemstones.
Is Oregon Sunstone Treated?
No. Oregon sunstone is never heated, irradiated, or dyed — what comes out of the ground is what gets cut and set. The great majority of colored gemstones on the market are treated in some way, so Oregon sunstone’s fully natural status is a genuine rarity and part of its value story.
How Much Is Oregon Sunstone Worth?
Value depends on color saturation, clarity, size, and the strength of the schiller:
- Commercial-grade pale champagne and light-colored stones: typically a few dollars per carat as cut stones.
- Fine saturated colors (deep red, orange, pink) with good clarity: tens to low hundreds of dollars per carat.
- Top collector grades — intense red or true green with strong schiller in larger sizes: several hundred dollars per carat and up.
Cutting quality matters enormously: Oregon sunstone is pleochroic (it can show different colors from different angles), so an experienced cutter orients the rough to show its best face. Prices move with supply from the mines, so treat any figure as a snapshot, not a guarantee.
Oregon Sunstone Jewelry
At 6.5–7.2 on the Mohs hardness scale, Oregon sunstone is hard enough for everyday jewelry — rings, pendants, and earrings all wear well, though like any colored stone it deserves a setting that protects it from hard knocks. Its natural, untreated status and American origin make it a meaningful alternative to treated imports.
Properties
Sunstone is 6.5–7.2 on the Moh’s hardness scale, which means it can be polished, faceted, and carved and made into jewelry.
Some value the stone for its alleged metaphysical properties, claiming that it holds a positive energy represented by the power of the sun, bestowing prosperity, wisdom, fearlessness, generosity, and mental clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oregon sunstone?
Oregon sunstone is a natural, untreated gem variety of labradorite feldspar found only in southeastern Oregon. Microscopic copper inclusions give it a glittering metallic flash called schiller.
Where is Oregon sunstone found?
Almost exclusively in Lake and Harney Counties, Oregon — in ancient basalt lava flows near Plush. It is the official state gemstone of Oregon, designated in 1987.
What is sunstone schiller?
Schiller (aventurescence) is the shimmering metallic flash seen when light reflects off tiny copper platelets inside the stone. It can appear as a “constellation” of sparkles, wispy “clouds,” or streaks — the signature optical effect of Oregon sunstone.
Is Oregon sunstone heated or treated?
No. Oregon sunstone is never heated, irradiated, or dyed — it is one of the few gemstones sold completely natural and untreated.
How much does Oregon sunstone cost?
Commercial-grade stones run a few dollars per carat; fine saturated reds and greens with strong schiller can reach hundreds of dollars per carat. Color, clarity, size, and cut determine the price.
Is Oregon sunstone rare?
Pale champagne material is relatively abundant, but fine red, true green, and strongly schillered stones in larger sizes are genuinely rare.
Can I find Oregon sunstone myself?
Yes — the BLM’s public collection area at Rabbit Basin near Plush, Oregon is open to casual collecting. Expect small stones; facet-grade rough comes from the private commercial mines.
What’s the difference between Oregon sunstone and other sunstone?
Only Oregon sunstone contains native copper inclusions. Sunstone from India, Africa, and elsewhere uses iron-based inclusions and lacks the copper schiller and the red/green color range.