OregonSunstones
Discover the fiery copper sparkle and unique schiller of America's most distinctive gemstone, found only in the high desert of Oregon.
Showcasing the distinctive copper schiller effect
Oregon Sunstone Facts
The only place on Earth where you can find this unique variety of aventurine feldspar
Mineral Type
Aventurine Feldspar with copper inclusions
Location
Plush, Oregon & surrounding high desert
Unique Feature
Copper schiller creates fiery sparkle
Hardness
6.5 - 7.2 on Mohs scale
What Makes Them Special?
Copper Schiller Effect
Microscopic copper platelets create a unique glittery sparkle called aventurescence, making each stone shimmer with fiery copper flashes.
Unique Origin
Found only in Oregon's high desert, these gems formed in ancient lava flows, making them true American treasures with a story spanning millions of years.
Color Variations
From clear champagne to deep red, with some rare green varieties. The most prized specimens show intense copper schiller with good transparency.
You Can Dig Your Own!
Oregon Sunstone is one of the few gemstones where public collecting is allowed. Several fee-dig sites near Plush, Oregon welcome rockhounds to search for their own treasures.
Formation & Geology
Oregon Sunstones formed millions of years ago in basaltic lava flows, where unique conditions created their distinctive copper inclusions
The Science Behind the Sparkle
Oregon Sunstones are a variety of labradorite feldspar that crystallized in basaltic lava flows approximately 15 million years ago during the Columbia River Basalt eruptions.
What makes them unique is the presence of microscopic copper platelets that were incorporated during formation. These platelets reflect light to create the distinctive schiller effect known as aventurescence.
The copper content varies from stone to stone, creating the range of colors from clear to deep red, with the most valuable specimens showing both good transparency and intense copper schiller.
Key Characteristics:
- Specific Gravity: 2.64-2.66
- Refractive Index: 1.560-1.568
- Crystal System: Triclinic
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent
- Luster: Vitreous