The facts
What rainbow Lattice Sunstone actually is
Mineralogically, rainbow Lattice Sunstone is orthoclase feldspar with oriented inclusions — KAlSi₃O₈ with hematite and magnetite-ilmenite lamellae, crystallising in the monoclinic system.
The colour is caused by body colour from hematite platelets; the iridescent triangular lattice is thin-film interference from oriented magnetite-ilmenite exsolution along twin planes. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.518–1.526, and the specific gravity sits near 2.55–2.60; cleavage is perfect basal, good prismatic.
Where rainbow Lattice Sunstone comes from
The recognised sources are Mud Tank, Harts Range, Northern Territory, Australia.
One source only — which is unusual, and which means an origin claim naming anywhere else is either a mistake or a different material.
How rainbow Lattice Sunstone is treated
Untreated. It comes from a single small claim in the Northern Territory and production is measured in kilograms per year, so almost everything offered online under the name is something else — usually ordinary sunstone or a synthetic goldstone-type imitation.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What rainbow Lattice Sunstone is confused with
The usual confusions are Oregon sunstone, Goldstone, Labradorite and Sunstone.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.518–1.526 and specific gravity 2.55–2.60 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What rainbow Lattice Sunstone is used for
Rainbow Lattice Sunstone is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Hardness 6–6.5; cleavage perfect basal, good prismatic. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
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 rainbow Lattice Sunstone costs
Indicative pricing for rainbow Lattice Sunstone is Genuine cabochons 200–2,000 USD/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 rainbow Lattice Sunstone treated, and how?
Untreated. It comes from a single small claim in the Northern Territory and production is measured in kilograms per year, so almost everything offered online under the name is something else — usually ordinary sunstone or a synthetic goldstone-type imitation.
Where does rainbow Lattice Sunstone come from?
Mud Tank, Harts Range, Northern Territory, Australia. That is the only commercial source.
Is rainbow Lattice Sunstone hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect basal, good prismatic cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does rainbow Lattice Sunstone cost?
Indicatively Genuine cabochons 200–2,000 USD/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 rainbow Lattice Sunstone confused with?
Most often Oregon sunstone, Goldstone, Labradorite and Sunstone. A refractive index of 1.518–1.526 and a specific gravity near 2.55–2.60 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for rainbow lattice sunstone?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about rainbow lattice sunstone