A Little Bit About Oregon Sunstones
Did you know Oregon Sunstone is one of only a few gemstones in the world that contains copper? If you've spent any time browsing our jewelry at markets, you've probably noticed that Will loves using them — and for good reason. They're colorful, full of personality, and feel deeply connected to the place we call home.
Oregon Sunstone is Oregon’s state gemstone, and it’s found only in the high desert of southeastern Oregon. Unlike many gemstones that come from all over the world, this one is truly local — which makes it extra special to us. Plus, we get to go out to the desert and mine our own materials!
What Makes Oregon Sunstone Unique
Oregon Sunstones belong to the feldspar family (moonstone, labradorite), but what sets them apart is copper. Tiny copper inclusions inside the stone can create a warm metallic sparkle called schiller. When the light hits just right, you might see flashes of coppery glitter dancing beneath the surface.
Not every sunstone has schiller, but when it does, it’s unmistakable — and beautiful.
Color Range You Might Not Expect
Many people think sunstones are always orange or peach, but Oregon Sunstones come in a surprisingly wide range of colors including:
- soft champagne to pale yellow
- peachy and coral tones
- reds, pink and green
- stones with color zoning or subtle shifts from one hue to another
Some stones are clear and glassy, while others have visible copper sparkle. Each one is different, which is part of the appeal.
Where Oregon Sunstones Come From
Oregon Sunstones are found primarily near the tiny town of Plush, Oregon, in the high desert south of Burns & Bend, Oregon. This remote area is known for its volcanic history, which created the conditions needed for sunstones to form millions of years ago.
There are both commercial mines and public collection areas in the region. Some people head out there to dig for their own stones on public land, while others (like us!) work with trusted sources that are private claims on BLM public land.
A Stone With a Story
One of the things we love most about Oregon Sunstone is that it doesn’t feel mass-produced or over-commercialized. It’s still a bit of a hidden gem, even among gemstone lovers.
Whether you’re drawn to it for its sparkle, its color, or its Oregon roots, sunstone has a quiet beauty that grows on you the more you wear it. To learn more about the science of Oregon Sunstones, check out this segment from OPB's episode of Oregon Field Guide.
If You Want to Go Find Your Own
Of course you can buy Oregon Sunstone from various sellers (our friends at Neukomm Rock & Gem have a huge selection) and at rock and gemstone shows, but the best way to get sunstones is to go mine them yourself.
Our favorite place to dig for these gemstones is at the Spectrum Mine. Things we like about mining here includes:
- You pay a fee to dig and get to keep all that you find. Some mines charge by weight & quality of what you find.
- They have running water and bathrooms for guests to use.
- You can dig in a pit, have a endloader bucket dumped for you to pick through, or you can do what's called a belt run. All of these options have their pros & cons and vary in price, but you can find some amazing stones!
- They offer onsite camping and even have a few (very) rustic cabins you can rent.
A few things to remember when driving out to the Oregon Sunstone Collection area.
- There is a FREE Oregon Sunstone collection area with free camping. You can dig and pick up sunstones right off the ground.
- Take plenty of provisions! This is in the middle of nowhere with very few people around. And, bring plenty of drinking water.
- Make sure your vehicle has good tires and plenty of gas. To get to the sunstone collection area, you have to drive at least 20 miles on gravel roads.
- For camping, make sure you dress in layers. Daytime can be very hot, but it also gets really cold at night.
- There is very little cell phone coverage in this area. Be warned!
Why We Love Using Oregon Sunstones in Jewelry
From a jeweler’s perspective, Oregon Sunstone is fun to work with. Our highest quality stones get faceted, while other stones get cut into cabs by a local lapidary artist. No two stones are ever the same — and that fits perfectly with how we design our jewelry.
One of the things we love most about Oregon Sunstone is that it doesn’t feel mass-produced or over-commercialized. It’s still a bit of a hidden gem, even among gemstone lovers.
In closing, hunting for Oregon Sunstones can be a fun family adventure. It can also be hot, dirty, and hard work. Either way, hopefully you will go home with some gem quality stones that can be cut for jewelry! Good luck & happy hunting!