SUNSTONE
Joy & energy
Sunstone is a feldspar gemstone typically found in orange and reddish hues. It is named after the sun because the stone contains a beautiful shimmer caused by flat, reflective inclusions that sparkle in the light.
SUNSTONE
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SYMBOLISM
Sunstone symbolises joy, energy, good luck, and warmth. The gemstone’s ability to reflect light and shine with its golden glow has given it a special place in art and spiritual circles. Sunstone is also said to inspire the wearer to enjoy life, and is believed to cleanse the aura and chakras.
Learn more about symbolism in our extensive gemstone encyclopedia
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SUNSTONE JEWELLERY
Sunstone is a feldspar gemstone that is relatively easy to keep shiny and clean. When cleaning your Sunstone jewellery, use lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush to clean the stone. Wipe the stone with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid cleaning your Sunstone jewellery in ultrasonic cleaners or with steam, as this can damage the stone. Also avoid high heat, and store your Sunstone jewellery in a soft box away from sunlight to prevent discolouration and scratches.
Remember that you can always have your Carré jewellery professionally cleaned at your Carré store.
HISTORY
The name “sunstone” comes from the French mineralogist Jean-Claude Delamétherie, who named it in 1801 because of its sparkling, sun-like shimmer. It is also called “heliolite” (from the Greek helios = sun, lithos = stone).
For centuries, sunstone has been believed to possess magical properties and protective powers. According to ancient legends, the sunstone was coloured by the blood of a wounded warrior, giving the stone its red colour and sacred power.
In Norse mythology, sunstone was considered to be sparks from the sun, captured in stone by the gods. The Vikings used it as a navigational tool, as its reflective properties helped them locate the sun’s position on cloudy days. According to Danish archaeologist Thorkild Ramskoi, the Vikings used
sunstone to navigate the sea without a compass.
In ancient Greece and Rome, sunstone was associated with the sun god Helios and was believed to bring good luck, warmth and prosperity. In China, sunstone symbolised the imperial sun, while Buddhists regarded it as Vishnu’s gemstone. Among the Celts, sunstone represented cosmic light.
SUNSTONE'S GEMOLOGY
Sunstone belongs to the feldspar group, which also includes moonstone and labradorite. Sunstone consists of sodium and calcium aluminosilicate and has flat, reflective inclusions that may consist of hematite, copper, or other minerals. The sparkling, metallic shimmer in sunstone is called aventurescence. Sunstone is found in various countries and is often mined in India, Canada, Norway, and Russia. Sunstone has also been found in the United States, where it is the official gemstone of the state of Oregon.
When measuring a gemstone’s hardness, the Mohs hardness scale is used. The scale ranges from 1–10, with 10 being the hardest—diamond, the hardest gemstone, is at the top. Sunstone has a hardness of 6–6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
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