Sunstone, Variety of Oligoclase from India
Sunstone, also known as heliolite, is a plagioclase feldspar that exhibits aventurescence, a metallic glitter. It also demonstrates the shiller effect where the metallic inclusions reflect light in a brilliant display of color.
Its colors include clear, yellow, red, green, blue, and copper shiller.
The golden sparkle caused the Greeks to dedicate this stone to the sun-god Helios. They believed the stone protected the earth and kept the sun on course.
The Vikings used it as a talisman. The stone has been found in Viking burial mounds.
During the Renaissance, magicians used the stone to call upon the power of the sun.
unpolished sunstone
The Oregon Sunstone has an optical effect caused by the reflections from red copper inclusions concentrating more in the center creating a darker middle.
Sunstone is not a common gemstone. Its most famous location is in Norway. However, a large deposit was found in Oregon, United States and it is that states official gemstone.
Magical and mystical properties include:
- stimulating self-healing
- relieving sore throats
- reducing depression
- relieving Seasonal Affective Disorder cause during dark winters
- helping to relieve exhaustion
- promoting good circulation
- promoting cheerfulness, good humor, and good temper
- promoting self-confidence and self-esteem
- heightening intuition
- providing protection
Sunstone and moonstone are used together in Solstice rituals. Typical placed side by side on the altar or the priest wears sunstone and the priestess wears moonstone.
To recharge sunstone, once a month let lukewarm water run over the stone, then place in the sunlight for several hours. (In stone therapy, when using stones to heal, their energy is used up, requiring the stones to be recharged.)
This is a reference for fiction writers and should not be taken as medical or spiritual advice.
I love how it glitters in the first pic, I love me all things sparkly
DEZMOND recently posted..GAEL GARCIA BERNAL GOES SF IN "ZORRO REBORN"! JASON ISAACS IN NBC’S "AWAKE" SHOW! JAMIE BLACKLEY IS CALISTO IN "300: BATTLE AT ARTEMISIA" EPIC!
I’ll admit, at first I thought it was man-made.
In the first photograph, the stone looks just like a heart. So I’m not surprised it promotes good circulation
Joanne recently posted..Dip, or Dive?
Awesome reference!
Clarissa Draper recently posted..Clarissa Reads Great Books
Aww! They’re so pretty! I want one. Especially one buried with a viking – HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE???!!
Sarah Ahiers recently posted..In Which I Celebrated My Birth
Sunstone is pretty! I like how it glitters.
Laura Marcella recently posted..Monday Quote Day!
Man, I gotta get me one of those
Seriously though, I love learning random facts and I found this fascinating. Thanks so much for sharing! 
Morgan Shamy recently posted..The First Campaign Challenge!
Those mystical properties sound mighty handy for February.
Very cool. And pretty
Thanks for continuing on with these stones from time to time.
Hi Holly
It amazes me how many different stones there are and how many different legends surrounds each and everyone. This is a great resource. Thanks for posting.
Nancy
N. R. Williams recently posted..The Writing Craft: Voice First and Third Person
I just read an article about Vikings using feldspar to help them navigate at sea. Wonder if this was the type of stone they used. I’ll have to go back and read it again. Cool stone.
L.G. Smith recently posted..Omne Trium Perfectum
That’s such a lovely stone, and it’s giving me story ideas. I think it just winked at me.
Carolyn Abiad recently posted..Hattuşa Calling
Gorgeous!
Sunstones are rather pretty!
Alex J. Cavanaugh recently posted..Making Great Connections
Yes, they are.
That is really cool. I can’t stop staring at the sparkles.
Ciara Knight recently posted..Gremdon Goodies
Gemstones fascinate me. I’d love to see a real sunstone that I might touch. Thanks for sharing this interesting information. Mystical and healing…wonderful.
Monti
Mary Montague Sikes
mary montague sikes recently posted..Branding for All Ages on President’s Day
As pretty as the polished one is, I have to say I love the look of the unpolished stone.
Interesting post!
The Golden Eagle recently posted..Teaser Tuesday (73)
I’d love to have a bit of sparkly stone like that!
Lydia K recently posted..Medical Mondays: Leech Therapy
Very interesting to hear the scientific and mythical aspects of the rocks. Are you using this theme for the A to Z Challenge again this year?
Stephen Tremp recently posted..Promoting in the Real World – Is it Still Viable?
No. That might be overkill. I haven’t signed up yet, but I did come up with an idea. So, I just might.
I love sunstone! Well, truth be known, I love anything that sparkles
Lynda R Young recently posted..How to Balance Your Social Networking Time
Hi Holly .. I was wondering if the Viking stone is the one that it’s thought they used as a magnetic force – a pointer in their travels .. I seem to remember reading something like this ..
Interesting read .. cheers Hilary
This made me think of opal at first, but I don’t know my rocks and when I compared the two, turns out they don’t have much in common. They are pretty though.
The Sunstone is so pretty. It reminds me a little of the new granite counters I bought–brown with flecks of sparkles.
Jennifer Shirk recently posted..Party Pics