Sunstone Ring? Art Cut Gems

[iLander]

Okay, if anyone remembers the thread in which I was asking for red stone suggestions, this is sort of a continuation.

(https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-stone-do-i-need.143386/)

This is a sunstone on the art cut gems site, which as far as I can tell, is the best sunstone I''ve seen anywhere.

I''ve never seen a sunstone in real life, how is it in low light? I suspect it is too soft for a ring, since it says "some care". Does the light have to shine right on it to make it colorful? Does it shine like a gem or more like an opal.

Beautiful stuff, what''s the deal with it?

 

[Fly Girl]

A few years ago I posted this Richard Homer red concave cut sunstone, and it was stunning. The thread is here. I am a huge red gemstone fan, and I loved it. I was not using a flash and my camera absolutely kills all the sparkle that you get from concave faceting. Concave faceting is a great way to get lots of flash from darker colored gems, and aids light return when light levels are lower. You really need to see it for yourself to know if it is for you.

The lady next to me was considering the sunstone (there is another picture of it on her hand at the bottom of page 1 of the thread), but she eventually decided not to get the sunstone. She wanted a ring, and opted for the harder citrine, and at Richard Homer prices, that makes a lot of sense. I do own a sunstone ring, and mine is pink with lots of schiller. The schiller gives it a bit of light play, kind of like a moonstone. Mine is a cabochon, which should hold up better than a faceted stone. It was also cheap, so I don''t worry about it. Photo is here.

For your purposes, I''d say that is a nice sized gem, a nice red, and at that price, probably worth a look.

 

[Fly Girl]

If you want a faceted sunstone with schiller, here is one from sparklequest on etsy. Link I suspect the color will be more on the orange side, but if you like the light play of the schiller, this one will have it. Same size as the Art Cut Gems stone, more inclusions, less red, and less expensive.

 

[chrono]

Sunstone can be very red but unfortunately, it is a soft stone and not meant for a ring at all unless it will not break your heart to have it damaged. Also, you’ll need an experienced benchperson (aka skilled beyond the usual diamond and sapphire setting job) to set it.

 

[Liane]

I don''t own any sunstones, but I''ve seen a fair number in person because one of the local shops carries it regularly, and from what I''ve seen, the ones with lots of schiller have a really unique golden sheen that''s broken up into lots of tiny motes -- like if there was a cloud of golden glitter contained beneath the stone''s surface (which, I guess, is pretty much exactly what it is). From a distance, it looks like the sheen on a moonstone, but golden and a little brighter. The ones that are cleaner tend to sparkle more traditionally, but it''s a subdued kind of sparkle, not a hard one. Not quite as opaque as an opal, but with a little bit of that personality.

I don''t know how they behave in low light, since I''ve only seen them in daylight and indoor lighting.

 

[Kismet]

Rick is also a jeweler so not only can he sell you the stone but he can set it for you too.

 

[iLander]

Ugh, so close and yet, so far . . .

Beautiful stone, great color, no way will it hold up to a ring, especially on me, I knock mine a lot. If I had some extra $$ for a pendant it would be on it''s way to me right now. . .

Geez, louise, the hunt continues. . .

It''s really good to know Rick can set stones too, I''ll keep that in mind.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I just saw this on and thought of you.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Jan%2008%20Garnet%20Page.htm
might be too dark and oval, but thought I would pass it along, you can''t beat the price.