Sunstone.
Sunstone (Oregon State Gemstone) Oregon’s state gemstone is a feldspar crystal that weathers out of certain lava flows in south-central Oregon. Sunstone color relates to the amount of copper in the stone – 20 parts per million for yellow, 200 parts per million for red.
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Contents
What is Oregon State Mineral?
BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon: That oregonite and josephinite are the official twin minerals of the State of Oregon.
What gemstones are in Oregon?
A List Of Minerals And Gemstones Found In Oregon
- Gold. Oregon has proven itself to be a very productive state when it comes to looking for gold.
- Agate. As you know, there are many different kinds of agates and chalcedony.
- Jasper.
- Obsidian.
- Oregon Sunstone.
- Thundereggs.
- Petrified Wood.
- Opal.
Is Sunstone a real gemstone?
Sunstones are found in fine gem quality in Oregon alone. This gemstone is never, as other gems are, heated, irradiated, or colored, but left completely natural. Some Oregon sunstones due to millions of microscopic copper platelets, known as schiller, exhibit a glow from within.
Where can I dig for Oregon Sunstone?
Spectrum Sunstone Mine
Spectrum Sunstone Mine, located near Plush, OR, in Lake County Oregon, is an Oregon sunstone mine open to the public for mining Oregon Sunstone. Visit Spectrum Mine and dig for Oregon sunstone gems from a designated pile of fresh unprocessed ore for free all day and keep what you find (mine personnel must be present).
Is there Opal in Oregon?
Oregon’s opals
Oregon’s Morrow County is the site of a large opal mining operation in an area called Opal Butte. Although these deposits were identified in the 1800s, they were not mined until 1988 when West Coast Gemstones, Inc. began work there. They have located and sold exquisite gems as large as 315 carats.
Are there Emeralds in Oregon?
You can find marvelous agates, thundereggs, opals, geodes, quartz, jaspers, jades, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sunstones, and moonstones. Today, I will dissect the state of Oregon and unveil the best rockhounding sites available and what you can find.
Where do you find opals in Oregon?
Where to Find Opals in Oregon?
- Baker County. Conner Creek Mining District “Baker Co.”
- Clackamas County. Clackamas River localities “Clackamas Co.”
- Columbia County. Neer Road, Goble “Columbia Co.”
- Crook County.
- Deschutes County.
- Harney County.
- Hood River County.
- Jackson County.
Is there diamonds in Oregon?
Because of their rarity and uniqueness to Oregon, sunstones were named the state’s gemstone in 1987. They’re literally diamonds in the rough because they’re found in a region about 25 miles north of Plush, a Lake County ranching community.
Where can I go gem hunting in Oregon?
South Central Oregon Rockhounding Sites
| Location | Rocks & Minerals |
|---|---|
| Area surrouding Crater Lake National Park | Agate, Petrified wood, Quartz family gemstones |
| Area just S of Crater Lake National Park | Jasper (Crater Lake Flower Jasper) |
| Glass Butte Recreational Rockhound Area | Obsidian (various types) |
Are Oregon sunstones rare?
Oregon Sunstone is extremely rare. Fully transparent, top gemmy quality of colored and/or copper schiller Sunstone is not found anywhere else in the world. Value of this amazing gem ranges from 8 US dollars per carat all the way through 4,500 US dollars per carat.
Why is sunstone so expensive?
Oregon sunstone can sell for much higher prices because it’s available in transparent qualities. A transparent orange sunstone sells for a lot more than one that is translucent. Stones that weigh one carat or more cost considerably more than small melee.
What does real sunstone look like?
Most sunstones have yellow, orange, or brown bodycolor. Green is extremely rare. Small inclusions create a reddish or golden sheen on top of any bodycolor, while larger inclusions create attractive, glittery reflections. Sunstone inclusions can be hematite, copper, or some other mineral.
Is it illegal to take river rocks in Oregon?
Oregon State Parks allow rockhounding of small amounts of rocks, minerals, and fossils for personal collection. However, digging or otherwise disrupting park property is strictly prohibited. Larger collecting might be allowed upon approval of the park manager at some State Park locations.
Where can I find rubies in Oregon?
These semiprecious gemstones can be collected at many sites along the Oregon coast, including Agate Beach at Newport, in some of the streams draining the Western Cascade, near the town of Antelope and around Prineville in central Oregon, near Hart Mountain and Lakeview in south-central Oregon, and at Succor Creek in
What is a Sunstone worth?
Pale yellow to colorless, non-phenomenal Oregon sunstones, whether native-cut or calibrated stones, may go for a few dollars per carat to $20 per carat for a custom cut. Pinks and tans, with and without a schiller effect, commonly range up to $50 per carat, depending on the effect.
What do Oregon agates look like?
The material can be found around Graveyard Point, the Oregon-Idaho border. Colored by iron oxides, the agate is a translucent reddish-brown or reddish–orange chalcedony. Found in rivers, on beaches, and in mountains. The rarest agate has tree-like or fern-like patterns – mineral impurities locked inside.
What is Oregon Peach opal?
Like a Smoky Sunrise and Salmon from a Mountain Stream. Oregon Peach Opal is an All-American gemstone brought to Shop LC by Outlaw Rocks. As its name suggests, this pastel gem only occurs in one place, the Pacific Northwest! Like freshly scooped sorbet, peach opal typically shows a dainty yellowish-pink.
What is an Oregon Sunstone?
What are Oregon Sunstones? Sunstones are feldspar crystals that formed in lava. Thirteen to fourteen million years ago, a volcano in Steens Mountain erupted, pouring out massive amounts of lava. The lava flow was subsequently covered by a vast lake and remained underwater for thousands of years.
Can Jade be found in Oregon?
Oregon is one of the nation’s leading states for the production of gemstones.Oregon has many other gems, which include obsidian, garnet, jade, steatite, wonderstone, and many varieties of petrified wood.
Where can you find amethyst in Oregon?
Amethyst. The Shellrock Mountain and Western Vein in the Bohemia Mining District is known to have Amethyst deposits. The Bohemia area is best known for gold mining, but other minerals can also be found in this area.
