The facts
What sunstone (Oligoclase) actually is
Sunstone (Oligoclase) is classified as oligoclase (plagioclase feldspar), with the composition (Na,Ca)(Al,Si)₄O₈. It crystallises in the triclinic system.
Colour comes from aventurescence from reflective platelets of hematite or goethite; body colour pale, which is also what a laboratory looks at when it is asked whether a colour is natural.
Refractive index 1.537–1.547. Specific gravity around 2.62–2.65. Cleavage: perfect {001}, good {010}. Those three numbers separate it from most of what imitates it.
Where sunstone (Oligoclase) comes from
Sunstone (Oligoclase) is produced at Tvedestrand, Norway, Andhra Pradesh, India and Lake Baikal, Russia.
The locality is part of the description, not a footnote — two stones of the same weight from two of these places are not the same stone.
How sunstone (Oligoclase) is treated
Untreated. Distinct from Oregon sunstone, which is a copper-bearing labradorite with higher RI and SG — the two are routinely conflated in trade listings.
Treatment changes value, sometimes by a multiple, so it belongs in the description before the price and not after the sale.
What sunstone (Oligoclase) is confused with
In the trade sunstone (Oligoclase) is most often mistaken for, or substituted by, Oregon sunstone (labradorite), Goldstone glass, Aventurine quartz or Sunstone-in-matrix imitations.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.537–1.547 and specific gravity 2.62–2.65 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What sunstone (Oligoclase) is used for
Demand for sunstone (Oligoclase) comes from jewellery, carving and sculpture, decorative objects and mineral collecting, which is why one price per carat never covers it.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the block or by the piece.
Durability and care
Sunstone (Oligoclase) is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale, with perfect {001}, good {010} cleavage.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What sunstone (Oligoclase) costs
As a guide, sunstone (Oligoclase) trades around $1–25/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is sunstone (Oligoclase) treated, and how?
Untreated. Distinct from Oregon sunstone, which is a copper-bearing labradorite with higher RI and SG — the two are routinely conflated in trade listings.
Where does sunstone (Oligoclase) come from?
Tvedestrand, Norway, Andhra Pradesh, India and Lake Baikal, Russia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is sunstone (Oligoclase) hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect {001}, good {010} cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does sunstone (Oligoclase) cost?
Indicatively $1–25/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is sunstone (Oligoclase) confused with?
Most often Oregon sunstone (labradorite), Goldstone glass, Aventurine quartz and Sunstone-in-matrix imitations. A refractive index of 1.537–1.547 and a specific gravity near 2.62–2.65 separate it quickly.
What is sunstone (Oligoclase) used for besides jewellery?
carving and sculpture, decorative objects and mineral collecting. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for sunstone (oligoclase)?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
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