Ten Sunstone facts
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| sunstone gem |
- Sunstone is a member of the plagioclase Feldspar group of minerals and is closely related to Moonstone and Labradorite.
- Sunstone is also called aventurine feldspar. Its golden spangled effect is due to the presence of tiny platelets of included minerals such as goethite or hematite.
- The name Feldspar comes from the German “feldt spat,” meaning “field stone.”
- Sunstone is formed and crystallized in lava flows.
- Mohs scale hardness 6.00 - 6.50
- Pope Clement VII (1478-1534) was reputed to have in his possession a sunstone «with a golden spot that moves across the surface in accord with the apparent motion of the sun from sunrise to sunset».
- Native Americans in Oregon used Sunstone for trade and barter. Oregon Sunstone was declared the official gemstone of the State of Oregon in 1987.
- Another type of sunstone, free of inclusion, and with an orange body color just arrived on the market from China, but it is more a collector item than jewelry material.
- Sunstone is claimed by some sources to have been used by Tibetans in medicine rituals to help spirit guides access the healing power of the Sun.
- Crystal healers believe Sunstone to be useful for adding personal insight and alleviating depression. Historically, Sunstone has been linked with benevolent gods, luck and good fortune.
