gemstone

Tumbled Sunstone

Plagioclase Feldspar (Na,Ca)(Al,Si)4O8

Hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, typically peach, pink, or orange color with a characteristic schiller effect (metallic glitter caused by inclusions of hematite or goethite), vitreous to pearly luster, triclinic crystal system, specific gravity around 2.62-2.65.

Identified July 29, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous rocks such as basalts and granites, as well as metamorphic rocks. Crystallizes from cooling magma or hydrothermal solutions over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry such as rings, pendants, and earrings, and collected as a lapidary specimen.

Geological facts

Sunstone is the state gemstone of Oregon, USA. Its unique optical shimmer, known as aventurescence, is caused by tiny copper or hematite platelets reflecting light.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its warm peachy-orange hue and shimmering metallic flakes when rotated in the light. Commonly sourced from Oregon, India, Norway, and Madagascar.

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