Treasure Hunting For Sunstones

Sunstones are formed in molten lava and found infor the discovery of more deposits of these fine gem
volcanic vents that have erupted from volcanoes.stones and recently several more mining claims have
When the lava rock is weathered away or broken upbeen established in the northern and southeastern
the sunstone crystals are exposed. Sunstone is aarea of Harney county. These producing areas are
transparent, yellowish labradorite found as crystals innot available for public collecting without permission of
these volcanic rocks. Crystals can come in clear, palethe claim owners.
yellow, soft pink, blood red, deep blue and greenSunstone Knoll south west of town of Delta, Oregon is
coloration. Some sunstone crystals will have bands ofopen to the public and is free. The best time to search
different colors throughout. This color variation isfor sunstones is just after rain storm. Sunstones will
caused by varying amounts of tiny crystals of copper.glitter in the sunlight and can be found on the ground on
The more colorful or darker stones contain largerthe east side of the knoll. The gem stones usually
amounts of copper.range from 1/8 to 1 inch but larger stones have been
Rough Sunstonefound.
The Spectrum Sunstone Mine is a 20 acre privately
They are found all over the world but the gem qualityowned patented mining claim located 27 miles
stones that are large enough to cut for jewelry arenortheast of Plush, Oregon which is open to the public
normally found in Oregon. Crystals as large as 3 inchesbetween May 15 and November 1. Dig through a pile of
across have been found but normally range from 1/8fresh unprocessed ore for free all day with mine
to 1 inch long. Oregon is also the only place in the worldpersonnel to learn how to spot these fine gem stones.
that this gem grade material is found with copper in itAdditional days are available for $50 per day per
and in 1987 it was declared the official Stateperson. Winter mining is welcomed by appointment
Gemstone of Oregon.only. You may call 775-830-5797 for more information.
Cash And Treasures SunstoneYou will need to bring a small pick to used on the walls
of a mine to reveal sunstones hidden among loose
Rough sunstones will range from about $400.00 torocks or broken rocks. A rock picks or screw driver is
$500.00 a carat and for a good cut and polished oneused for prying the gemstones out of the broken rock.
can sell for over $1,000.00 a carat depending on theA shovel and a five gallon plastic bucket is used for
size, color, clarity, and cut. In 2006 the travel channelloading loose dirt and broken rocks which is then taken
aired a show about the Spectrum Sunstone Minesto the screening area for further process. You will also
from the Cash and Treasures series. One of theneed to bring a screen. Loose dirt is shoveled onto a
sunstones found during filming, after it was cut andscreen and the screen is then shaken to remove small
polished, was over 10 carats and was sold to a coupleparticles and sand.
in Oregon for $5,200.Watch the screen while shaking it, sunstone will often
Oregon sunstones are found only in the remote highflash as they roll around. Always examining the
desert of Lake and Harney counties of Oregon. Thescreening area with the sun facing you. The sunlight will
U.S. Bureau of Land Management has established areflect through the sunstones making them easier to
free, public collecting area in eastern Lake Countyspot. Examine the screenings from various angles and
which is near Plush Oregon. Until recently, this was theroll the gravel around while doing so. Before discarding
only known occurrence of the gem quality sunstonesthe screenings always look from underneath the
found in the United States.screen with the sun at your back. Many dusty stones
Rough Sunstonecan be missed until you see the light pass through
them.
The geology of Harney and Lake county is favorableHappy treasure hunting.