Feldspar Gemstone
Feldspar Gemstone: Sunstone, Moonstone, Labradorite, Amazonite
Feldspar is a group of gemstones including: Sunstone, Moonstone, Labradorite, Amazonite. These gemstones have the most mesmerizing optical effect known to man. There are extremely rare and most sought after gems on the planet.
Sunstone - Sunstone
Discoveries of glittery sunstone rough led miners to establish claims in the US state of Oregon. – Robert Weldon, courtesy Sunstone Butte Mine. FAMILY
Sunstone belongs to the group of Feldspar Gemstones, with a beautiful iridescent sparkle - schiller. This gemstone is often sought after by Gem Connoisseurs and creative Jewelry Designers seeking the subtle beauty of lesser known but very attractive and unique gemstones.
In the early 1800s, Sunstone was a little-known, rare, and expensive gemstone. It wasn't until it was found in Norway, Siberia and other parts of the world that Sunstone gained wider recognition, more availability, and better prices.
In the US state of Oregon in the early 1900s, Sunstone was found in ancient lava fields in a desert area called the Warner Valley. Oregon today is the place where Sunstone is mined to provide high-end jewelry designers.
- Chemical formula: K(AlSi 3 O 8 )
- Color: Yellow, Golden, Orange, Brown, Red.
- Hardness: 6 - 7.2 Mohs
Moonstone - Moonstone
The beautiful shimmer of light that's characteristic of moonstone is apparent even in its rough form. This special property is maximized by a quality cut. - David Humphrey. FAMILY
Moonstone belongs to the Feldspar group of gemstones and is the most popular. This gemstone has always been loved for its soft, gentle and cool sheen.
Moonstone is the June - June Birthstone next to Pearl and Alexandrite.
The great designers of the "Romantic Art Nouveau" era, such as René Lalique and Louis Comfort Tiffany, used Moonstone in jewelry design. Moonstone was also loved by artists of the "Arts and Crafts" period of the second half of the 19th century. In the "Flower Child" movement of the 1960s, Moonstone gave the wearer the ethereal look desired. . The designers of the "New Age" movement of the 1990s turned to the natural beauty of Moonstone for inspiration.
- Chemical formula: K(AlSi 3 O 8 )
- Color: Colorless to White, Gray, Green, Peach, Brown
- Hardness: 6 - 6.5 Mohs
City of Mt. Adular (now St. Gotthard) in Switzerland was one of the first sources of good quality Moonstone.
Moonstone is mined in: USA (New Mexico, North Carolina & Virginia) and other countries: Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar and Tanzania.
Labradorite - Nacre - Black Moon Light
Natural color andesine-labradorite from the Himalaya Highland, Tibet. FAMILY
Labradorite belongs to the Feldspar gemstone group, which is rich in calcium and has a schiller optical effect. This gem was first discovered on Paul Island near the town of Nain in Labrador, Canada, hence the name Labradorite.
- Chemical formula: (Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si 2 O 8 ]
- Color: Pale green, blue, colourless, gray-white
- Hardness: 6 - 6.5 Mohs
Labradorite Mine in Labrador, Canada. There are many more locations worldwide: Poland, Norway, Finland, Madagascar, Tibet, Australia, Slovakia and the United States.
Amazonite - Blue Galaxy
In this high-quality translucent Amazonite bracelet, the average bead diameter is 12 mm. Photo by Kevin Schumacher. FAMILY
Amazonite belongs to the Feldspar group of gems rich in Potassium. Amazonite is named after the site first discovered near the Amazon River in 1847 by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt.
- Chemical formula: K(AlSi 3 O 8 )
- Color: Green to Blue-Green
- Hardness: 6 - 6.5 Mohs
Amazonite is a gemstone that has been used for over 2000 years. This gem has been found during archaeological excavations in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (an area that covered parts of present-day Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey).
Amazonite is mined in mines in: United States, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Namibia, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden.
Source: GIA , Mindat , Geology , Lotus Gemology , Gemsociety
