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  • This gem often exhibits warm red to brown and yellow body colours, an allusion to the name
  • Its phenomenal nature, however, is equally captivating. When interacting with light, similarly oriented, miniscule inclusions of copper or hematite platelets exhibit glittering, spangled reflections, shimmering through different depths within the gem
  • Some experts refer to this phenomenon as aventurescence; others refer to this optical effect as schiller
  • Most sunstones are eye-clean, particularly those from their most famous location in Oregon


(click on colour to find other gemstones and jewelry)
TREATMENTS
CUT
  • Sunstones are generally not treated
  • Color: some andesine was recently found to be treated with diffustion to achieve rich red and yellow colors to imitate sunstones
  • Some specialized cutters create unique cuts and several lapidary artists choose to carve them



care
  • Sunstones, properly cared for, may last for a lifetime, despite being somewhat brittle at times
  • Sunstones are somewhat delicate and care must be taken in setting them or used in rings
  • A clean, water-dampened cloth, containing no soaps or cleaning agents, is the best way to clean the gems

Large gems and richness of colour are important factors which collectors consider as well as carved stones from established lapidary artists

 

 
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