Collection: Sunstone

Sunstone owes its name to its incredible orange color and its very special sparkle. This stone gives the impression of having glitter embedded in it.

In 1801, Jean-Claude Delametherie (1743-1817), French naturalist, mineralogist, geologist and paleontologist, gave the name sun stone to this fabulous mineral in reference to the star. Its glittery sparkle and orange color can sometimes be iridescent with green or blue. This effect is due to the presence of hematite or goethite crystals on which the light is reflected.

Sunstone has also been given the name heliolite. This name comes from the Greek helios (name of the Sun god) and lithos which means stone. This stone is a variant of oligoclase (mineral of the silicate class). Its hardness is 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale.

Sunstone has many legends and stories. Indeed, this ancient crystal has been known for millennia. In astrology, this stone is associated with heat, authority, the masculine sex and it is found in various religions. Among Buddhists, it is the stone of the god Vishnu, nicknamed “the Golden Man”. In the Christian religion, it is associated with the twelve apostles of Jesus. For the Hebrews, the High Priest possesses this mineral.

In Greek mythology, the sunstone symbolizes the Father. The Greeks also believed that this stone was the reincarnation of Helios, god of the sun. It symbolized power, prosperity and youth for its owner. It was also widely used in jewelry.

Viking warriors worshiped this fabulous orange stone. They attributed to him the power of eternal rest by integrating the kingdom of the gods called Asgard where the valiant warriors were located. In 1965, sunstones were found in the holds of a ship. According to Danish archaeologist Thorkild Ramskoi, the sunstone served as a compass when traveling on overcast days. They positioned the heliolite in front of one eye while staring at the sky. Thus, they could determine the position of the sun and orient themselves.

Over the millennia, sunstone appears in many civilizations. Among the Celts, this mineral evokes cosmic light, a source of radiation located in the sun, inside or outside our galaxy. In China, this mineral represents the symbol of the imperial sun.

In 1980, in Oregon in the United States, a variety of sunstones were discovered. It was named the Oregon Sunstone. It has the particularity of having green, yellow, brown colors, and even being transparent. Its different colors are due to the fragments of stone that constitute it, such as fragments of copper, hematite or labradorite. Generally, colorless or yellow sunstones are the least expensive. The closer the color of the stone is to red, the more expensive it is.

Nowadays, this magnificent sunstone is widely used in jewelry making. Furthermore, it has many virtues in lithotherapy.

The main deposits are located in India, the United States, Australia, Canada, etc.

In Lithotherapy, sunstone diffuses a warm and powerful light. Its solar force combats negative emotions such as sadness, anguish, and anxiety. It allows its wearer to regain confidence, happiness and optimism.

This stone fights against states of discouragement which block the personal development of its wearer. It helps overcome stress, shyness and emotional blockages due to certain childhood traumas. It promotes the return of self-esteem, confidence and gives the courage to undertake projects.

This sparkling mineral exudes vitality, good humor and optimism. It encourages letting go and helps you no longer worry about how others look at you. It develops charisma and the power of seduction. It removes complexes and feelings of inferiority.

Sunstone causes openness towards others. It engenders compassion, empathy and understanding of others. The wearer of this stone is more attentive to others. It is said to be a stone of friendship and encounters.

More generally, it is more of a stone of action than a stone of reflection. It provides the will to act. It activates the lazy and encourages people to stop procrastinating.

Sunstone is said to bring luck and prosperity. It attracts success in the realization of projects and develops the joy of living.