HPJ REFERENCE POINT: ULTRA RARE 3.68 CT IF LAKE COUNTY (OREGON) SUNSTONE R31,000.00

Oregon sunstone, also known as Heliolite, is a transparent feldspar with colours ranging from water clear through pale yellow, soft pink, and deep reds. The colour appears to vary systematically with small amounts of copper and may depend on both the amount and the size of individual copper particles present in the stone.

In the rugged high desert of South Central Oregon, embedded in ancient volcanic lava under the sage brush and grass, lies the fabled Oregon Sunstone. 

The Rabbit Basin lies three hours south of Burns, through a desolately beautiful landscape of alkaline lakes, sand dunes, and volcanic ridges. Alt and Hynd­man (1978) provide a brief summary of the roadside geology. At Hogback Road, the paved surface ends and 35 miles of gravel road begins, leading eventually to the Dust Devil Mine in Lake County, Oregon.

Oregon sunstone, the official state gemstone of Oregon since 1987, is natural copper-bearing labradorite feldspar. Some examples exhibit red to green dichroism, and fine specimens larger than 3 Carats can sell for more than $1,500 per carat.