OREGON’S STATE GEM is the Oregon Sunstone 

The Feldspar group of minerals are one of the most common on the planet. Also Oregon’s unique copper-bearing Plagioclase Feldspar is found nowhere else in the world.  The Oregon legislature in 1987 designated Oregon’s Official State Gem as the Oregon Sunstone.

At a hardness of  6.5-7.2 on the Moh’s scale, comparable to gemstones like Tanzanite and Peridot, 

Gem collectors and jewelry lovers from all over the world are fast becoming aware of this uniquely American gemstone. While many varieties of labradorite feldspar can display aventurescence or schiller and are commonly called “sunstones,” those effects are typically caused by inclusions of hematite or goethite. In contrast, the labradorite sunstones found in Oregon have inclusions of copper. This unique happenstance means these gemstones may both display a schiller effect and transparency. This makes them highly desirable as faceted jewelry stones.

Intense red and transparent gems with schiller are in great demand. However, many color varieties occur in Oregon, with and without the glowing effect.

Although a relative newcomer to many in the gem buying public, Oregon sunstone has traditionally been valued and traded by the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. In 1987, Oregon officially declared it its state gemstone. In the esoteric realm of birthstone mythology, sunstones are considered the phenomenal birthstone for those born on Sunday.

The only feldspar sunstone with copper inclusions is Oregon sunstone. However, not all specimens display the schiller effect. The copper inclusions in Oregon sunstone come in varieties like threads, spots, sheets, and clouds.

To find out more about the Oregon Sunstone click on this link

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