mineral
Sunstone
Plagioclase Feldspar (Na,Ca)(Si,Al)3O8
Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-orange to peach-brown with shiny metallic reflections (schiller/aventurescence); Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions.
- Hardness
- 6-6
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-orange to peach-brown with shiny metallic reflections (schiller/aventurescence); Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect in two directions.
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous rocks like basalt and pegmatites during cooling processes where copper or hematite inclusions align inside the feldspar crystals.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as a gemstone in jewelry, cabochons, polished decorative stones, and for mineral collecting.
Geological facts
The distinct reddish shimmer is called aventurescence, caused by tiny, light-reflecting inclusions of copper or hematite inside the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its warm orange/reddish hue combined with a distinctive metallic sparkle or flashes under light. Commonly mined in Oregon (USA), India, Madagascar, and Norway.
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