Sunstone

Semi-Precious · Feldspar

The stone of light and joy — channels the energy of the sun itself.

• Joy
• Warmth
• Leadership
• Freedom
• Positivity
• Light

Sunstone is a variety of plagioclase feldspar famous for its brilliant golden-orange aventurescence — a glittering effect caused by reflective copper, hematite, or goethite platelets within the stone. The Vikings used sunstone as a navigational tool to locate the sun on cloudy days. In ancient India, it was revered as a sacred stone of the sun god. It is the SunStone brand's namesake stone.

Healing

Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Low Energy, Self-worth, Fear

Everyday uses

Viking navigation: Norse sailors used thin slices of feldspar (sunstone/Iceland spar) to locate the position of the sun through cloud cover — a remarkable early navigation technology. Oregon sunstone is the official state gem of Oregon, USA, mined commercially and used in fine jewellery. High-quality feldspar is used in ceramics, glass manufacturing, and porcelain production. Sunstone is used in fine jewellery, particularly popular in Scandinavian and American jewelry traditions.

Spiritual meaning

Sunstone is the supreme antidepressant crystal — it channels the warm, life-giving energy of the sun directly into the emotional body. It is exceptional for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), low energy, and depression caused by lack of joy or self-worth. It instils confidence, optimism, and the freedom to shine authentically.

Formation

Sunstone forms in igneous rocks, particularly in lava flows and pegmatites. The aventurescence (sparkle) is caused by thin, parallel platelets of copper, hematite, or goethite that grew within the feldspar crystal as it cooled. The most spectacular specimens — with actual copper inclusions — come from Oregon, USA.

Where it is found

The finest sunstones come from Oregon, USA (Harney County — the Oregon Sunstone is the state gem), India (Tamil Nadu), Norway (producing the original Viking sunstones), Canada, Russia, and Tanzania. Oregon sunstones are unique in containing copper, giving them a range of colours from clear to red, green, and bi-colour.

Zodiac

Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aries

Chinese element

Horse, Tiger, Rooster, Dragon