Sunstone identification and geology

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• Oligoclase
• Aventurine

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner

GeoMiner

Last updated

2026-03-30T14:37:41.629938+00:00

Review status

Published; not independently peer-reviewed

• IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
• Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.

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Common questions

What is Sunstone?

Feldspar variety with aventurescence — a sparkly metallic glitter from tiny reflective inclusions of copper or hematite.

How can you identify Sunstone?

Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Orange, red, gold with metallic sparkle; lustre: Vitreous with aventurescence; streak: White; Mohs hardness: 6-6.5; cleavage: Perfect in two directions; crystal system: Triclinic; transparency: Transparent to translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.

How does Sunstone form?

Forms in basaltic lavas Oregon sunstone with copper or in metamorphic rocks Norwegian sunstone with hematite .

Where is Sunstone commonly found?

Oregon USA , Norway, India, Tanzania; found in basalt and anorthosite.

What is Sunstone commonly confused with?

Sunstone may be confused with Goldstone glass, Oligoclase, Aventurine. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.