Already a member?
Sign in
Welcome! This is a website that everyone can build together. It's easy!
Location: Sunstones
Discussion: sunstones
Keyword tags:
hunting for treasure
treasure
types of treasure
where to find treasure
Watch
|
treasureseaker1 treasureseaker1 |
sunstones
Dec 27 2007, 6:33 PM EST I'm not sure what the diffrence is between a sunstone and a moonstone.They look alike to me. Is one more valueable than the other? I would like to find a sunstone on my next vacation. Is there any advice anyone can tell me in searching for one? 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
 ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Dec 28 2007, 2:47 AM EST I am an avid viewer of the Cash and Treasure series because it has revitalized my long held interest in prospecting and gold mining in particular. From what I have gathered from watching the show and doing a bit of research on my own is that "Sunstones" are a rare form of vulcanic rock that is only found in a certain part of the state of Oregon here in the United States. That is why they are so valuable and rare... because they are found nowhere else in country or the World for that matter. If your interested in huntin for some there was a place located approximately in the center of the state of Oregon that was featured on Cash and Treasure that is open to the public... but I think it costs so much a day to hunt for all you want or all you can find. People were pulling out 5 gallon buckets of the things. It seems that the problem is not finding the stones themselves but buyers that are willing to pay the going rate for them by the karrat. The stones themselves and jewelry made with them tend to set on store shelves for quite some time before being bought compaired to other precious stones... or so I hear. I stick to the basics, gold, silver, gem stones like Turmoline, diamonds, ruby, specimens of petrified wood, Mammoth Tusk Ivory. That last one is pretty controversial... but highly prized by wealthy collectors. And it can be found all over North America if you know where to look. Mammoths were big heavy animals, that often sank in mud along a river's edge. As a river changed course, the mud solidified into thickly packed clay or dirt. They are often found in flood plains of large rivers like the Mississippi. Happy Hunting. 8 out of 10 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
stargirl88 stargirl88 |
RE: sunstones
Jan 2 2008, 6:54 PM EST Moonstone looks completly different than a Sunstone. Moonstones are a milky white look that sometimes has a blue shine or a rainbow affect to it depending on the rock and how the light hits it. I can try to upload a picture for you to see the difference. 7 out of 7 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Swordfishmining |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 2:57 AM EST Sunstones are a gem felspar like labrodorite but do not have a chatoancy like moonstone or tiger eye but have a copper flash in better ones. The common ones (for digging are just yellow or salmon colored) They make you pay (part of wholesale) for the red green and schiller ones that are worth good money as cutting rough..They are found around the world it is fire agate that is only found in the South west. The closest town is Plush oregon and there are 3 mines open at present Spectrum(featured) Dust Devil, and Teddy Ridge. Folks don't find five gallon buckets either. They're in solid lava and have to be broken out (found) with gads and hammers, or screen behind others for smaller chips. Buyers are not looking to rock hounds to supply their cutting houses.They buy LARGE amounts from dependable sources. Your best bet is become a cutter and jeweler to get anything close to what they are worth. There is no free lunch even if you are lucky 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 5:19 AM EST "Buyers are not looking to rock hounds to supply their cutting houses.They buy LARGE amounts from dependable sources. Your best bet is become a cutter and jeweler to get anything close to what they are worth. There is no free lunch even if you are lucky" And that is exactly why I stick with the more lucrative Gem Material and Precious Metals. Platnum, Gold, Silver, Brass, and Copper, in that order. I have gotten into the Treasure Hunting for different reasons than most people. I don't intend on supplying cutting houses, I intend to use the less valuable finds to pay for the cutting of the more valuable ones which I entend to keep.....to aid in the assembly of much needed start-up capital to start a new type of Alternative Energy based Motor Company that I have discovered how to start on a shoe string. Banks and Lenders aren't supportive of new start-ups in the Alternative Energy field because they leverage their earnings in the Petroleum Industry. I found that Prospecting is precisely how Andrew Carnegie side stepped the Financial Industry when he needed to expand his steel business to support the Westward Expansion of the Railroad out to California. He had allot of steel mills to locate and build. I only need one inventor's shop. I have done the math, and it makes sense to get into the Treasure Hunting to help put the needed capital together. Amass the needed capital in raw form so it stays off the books until the money is actually needed. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it. 1 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 5:38 AM EST If the above post grabbed your interest and you would like to learn more about who I am and what I am doing, you can read all about it by visiting me on the web at... The Stone Motor Company http://www.geocities.com/carljstone45/contributions.html Hope to here from you all on my new company's Forum located on my Contact Page. I am chronicalling my experience in starting my own type of new Alternative Energy based Motor Company. Which will grow and gain momentum as it emerges in a diverse portfolio of juvinile markets before attempting to address the Auto Industry. I have a solid business plan that will take such a venture from a shoe string start-up as I gain the necessary patents and trademarks all the way to the top as a major competitor in the Alternative Energy Industry. This company will not be limited to the Auto Industry. It will be diversified in many Industries and markets much in the same manner as General Electric has diversified over the years since it's inception in the mid to late 1800's. The result is a very large Organization that isn't going out of business anytime soon. General Electric General Mills General Motors Corporation General Dynamics Corporation I am sure you get the idea. I am going to be building a new company on the same model, while focusing on the one field of industry they have neglected. 0 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 5:55 AM EST I am sure you can see why I am so motivated. It isn't everyday that someone discovers how to start a new type of Alternative Energy based Motor Company of their very own on a shoe string and a prayr. Big Industry expects me to give up and fade away. Not a chance in the World. Unless they want to buy me out for a vary large sum. 0 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 6:22 AM EST If you are wondering how this all came about, I will tell you, it's pretty interesting actually. Back in 2006 when I got laid off from the Railcar Manufacturing Industry as a Machinist, my former employer informed me that I now possess a higher degree of formal education and industry experience than one of the most noted inventors and innovators in the history of American Industry. Thomas Alva Edison My own research into this subject uncovered a self sufficient Electric Automobile that Edison was attempting to have mass produced while working for General Electric. The project got him ousted from the Company in the early 1900's. That is when he turned around and stripped the vehicle down to a more economical production concept, which he used to help Henry Ford start the Ford Motor Company much in the same way that I am attempting to start my own Motor Company. Production began out in Colorado. And the vehicle in question became known as the Ford Model T. Model T... for "Thomas" Model A... for "Alva" They never made it to the Model E because Henry Ford viewed Edison's Electric Vehicle Concept as simply being too expensive for their purposes at that time. A decision he later regretted in 1941 when it became evident to him that Edison had been trying to avert the United States role in the pending Second World War all along. But it was too late, Edison passed away 10 years earlier in 1931 and much of his knowledge in this field died with him. I told you it was interesting. It is often said that history has a way of repeating itself. We have an opportunity to dodge World War 3 and I for one am planning to take full advantage of that opportunity. 0 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 6:30 AM EST As I work on procuring the needed capital to get this venture started, I plan to write a series of novels on the subject and possibly a screen play.....because I think my story would make an exellent feature film. 0 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
ModerndayEdison |
RE: sunstones
Jan 20 2008, 6:40 AM EST I appologize for my interuption of this thread. Back to Sun Stones...... 0 out of 6 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
jewelrymaiden jewelrymaiden |
RE: sunstones
Mar 22 2008, 6:31 PM EDT ""Sunstones" ... is only found in a certain part of the state of Oregon here in the United States. That is why they are so valuable and rare... because they are found nowhere else in country or the World for that matter.This isn't quite correct. While sunstone is found in India, Russia (Siberia), Canada, Madagascar, and the U.S.A, the best source is Tvedestrand, and Hitero (Norway). As for the difference in how they "look". The easiest way to explain the differences is that moonstone can be colorless, white, yellow, even pink. It appears to glow from within with a floating blue, white or rainbow glimmer. Sunstones are described as a dark golden / red brown color, I consider it more of a copper color. Its' radiance is more like the sheen of stainless steel. Ugh! How common, huh? I am a jewelry maker and purchase my stones already cut and polished. Lapidary work is an art itself. Having tried it myself, I am impressed by someone, who can turn rough into a prized beauty. My interest in hunting is in sharing the experience with my family. Hopefully, our children will find an interest in geology, history, science, etc. by doing, rather than just reading. Also, it's a great way to show them it's possible to have fun without the assistance of electronic devices. :o) Have a wonderful time! 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
hillbillie_texas hillbillie_texas |
RE: sunstones
Mar 28 2008, 7:19 PM EDT sunstones and moonstones dont look anything alike.moonstones have an eriodesant sheen to them sunstones are,well they have two looks one is the gemmy look.they are clear with color rangins in several colors the ones i have are pale yellow with red or green in them some are just red or green or yellow.kindof like the labidorites and they arre from the same family feldspar.but i dont rememberwhat family the moonstone is in but i will find outlaboderites can also have a star like the star sapphire and rubies 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
hillbillie_texas hillbillie_texas |
RE: sunstones
Mar 28 2008, 7:22 PM EDT also the sunstones are more expencive than moonstones by far.the only place to find sunstones is in oragon and its not a big site vary little commercially.more for collectors. 0 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
mudd1973 mudd1973 |
RE: sunstones
Apr 2 2008, 2:51 PM EDT I love your comment "Ugh! How common, huh?" about sunstones. The same people run the Himalaya tourmaline mine in California and the Spectrum sunstone mine in Oregon. Although I have not yet been to the sun stone mine, I have seen various stones, cut and uncut from there and can not really see the appeal - at least compared to tourmaline. I like to tease that wearing sunstones is just wearing feldspar - like Wilma Flintstone. Moonstones, while not as valuable, do have more appeal to me at least, since the shimmermseems to float within the stone. Sometimes you can find them on California beaches (although I have been told what some us us call beach moonstones are sometimes just tumbled quartz). And - I'm totally with you that the real joy of this hobby is getting out of the city with my kids - away from the TV and the freeways - and just looking for and learning about new rocks and minerals and gems. My family kids me about all the pretty things I'm collecting that I plan to make into jewelry or carve "someday". Ellen Moe Culver City 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
|
hillbillie_texas hillbillie_texas |
RE: sunstones
Apr 3 2008, 12:58 PM EDT maybe so but think about what the gem quilty labadorite looks like facited and they are JUST a fildspar and how many are you goin to find in a few years.you can find moonstones many places like i said they are for the rock hound or collector,not for someone that says 'look what i've got on' Do you find this valuable? |
 sagebrushminers |
RE: sunstones
Apr 5 2008, 8:25 PM EDT Will be going to a well known area near Plush Oregon in June and will be staying with the Dust Devil Miners. Do a search for their site and you will see the difference. Moonstones are usually milky in color, whereas the gem sunstones are mostly faceted for high price jewerly. Catch you later. Don 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 pvjjh |
RE: sunstones
Apr 5 2008, 10:16 PM EDT "I love your comment "Ugh! How common, huh?" about sunstones. The same people run the Himalaya tourmaline mine in California and the Spectrum sunstone mine in Oregon. Although I have not yet been to the sun stone mine, I have seen various stones, cut and uncut from there and can not really see the appeal - at least compared to tourmaline.Hey Ellen, do they even facet moonstones? I have some, but I don't think there are clear enough to facet. Well, lets put it this way, one can facet any stone, some are just prettier than others. I couldn't agree with you more, getting the kids out away from computers, games, TV and all these other pressures kids have today, it the real goal. Taking them outdoors is so important, rockin' is just one good way to accomplish this. Material value is rated second in my opinion. Paul Do you find this valuable? |
|
mudd1973 mudd1973 |
RE: sunstones
Apr 6 2008, 2:51 PM EDT Hi Paul. I've never seen a moonstone faceted. I did buy a very nice moonstone necklace at this awesome rock/gem/fossil/jewelry store in downtown Seattle (I can't remember the name). Last summer when we visited my eldest daughter, we stayed right next to SafeCo Field & would walk down to the main shopping district daily. The family got used to losing me as we walked by the rock shop. I always have fun trying to see how many rocks & minerals I can identify correctly on my own & then spend the rest of my time being depressed on how many I can't afford. I was attracted to a simple bead nacklace that I thought was various colors of milk quartz - it turned out to be his last moonstone necklace. And I could afford it - he claimed he had mis-priced it. The kid and I got some fresh air in Bakersfield yesterday looking for Shark's teeth. The weather was perfect - high 60's with a light breeze - and people said they've never seen so many groups out at the trenches. We had zero luck - it never "felt right" no matter where I settled in to try to look. The overhangs of the trenches were collapsed in - either the weather or people came by to reduce the risk of having it collapse on someone digging. The net result is that it will take quite a bit of mucking out to get back down to the layer where you might find the teeth again. We gave up early to go to the rock show at the fair grounds. The Rock & Gem Rendezvous was fun. The owner of the Thursday Mine let me buy a stunning piece of lepidolite, smoky quartz, white feldpar (I think albite) which is topped by three circular sprays of pink tourmaline. It stands 8" high and he freeform-polished the lepidolite base area. I've been to the Thursday Mine 30+ times but never seen anything so pretty. I keep begging him to set up a trip back there - they still haven't hit the 1st gem pocket & I sure would like to be there when they do. Maybe in May. Ellen Do you find this valuable? |
|
mudd1973 mudd1973 |
RE: sunstones
Apr 6 2008, 3:14 PM EDT Hi Don, The Dust Devil web site is great. I appreciate all the pictures and the information they have included. But, still, the sunstones I'm used to seeing for sale at rock shows are the pale gold/yellow/orangey variety and they just don't hold much interest for me. At the Bakersfield Rock & Gem Rendesvous this weekend, a young man who has worked at the Spectrum Mine had whole containers of small sunstones for sale and a lot that he had faceted. I bought some benitoite ore from him but wasn't the least bit tempted by his feldspar. Maybe if I ever saw some of the more unique schiller stones in person, I might get hooked on sunstones. I also might like the green - or I've heard there is a blue sunstone. But - I have never seen a tourmaline that I don't like - so it would take some doing for any sunstone to be able to convince me that they are anywhere near as pretty as tourmaline. The range of colors that tourmaline has - sometimes in the same stone - continues to fascinate me. The way the crystals can form with cores that are one color surrounded by a rind of a different hue makes for unlimited combinations. In the last bag of pocket dirt I found a small but interesting perfect crystal with a pale green core surrounded by a greenish-pink rind - almost a reverse watermelon. However - if I ever can convince my non-rock-hounding husband to let me run away from home long eough to get up to Oregon, I would like to check out the sunstone mines in person. Ellen Do you find this valuable? |
|
pvjjh |
RE: sunstones
Apr 6 2008, 8:02 PM EDT "Hi Paul. I've never seen a moonstone faceted. I did buy a very nice moonstone necklace at this awesome rock/gem/fossil/jewelry store in downtown Seattle (I can't remember the name). Last summer when we visited my eldest daughter, we stayed right next to SafeCo Field & would walk down to the main shopping district daily. The family got used to losing me as we walked by the rock shop. I always have fun trying to see how many rocks & minerals I can identify correctly on my own & then spend the rest of my time being depressed on how many I can't afford. I was attracted to a simple bead nacklace that I thought was various colors of milk quartz - it turned out to be his last moonstone necklace. And I could afford it - he claimed he had mis-priced it.The moonstones that I have are to cloudy to facet. However they can be cabbed. I have faceted a sunstone. This one was found on BLM land near the sunstone mines in Plush. It was a prefectly clear stone but had blue rays in it. It cane out very nice for a rookie at the wheel. A rock shop in Seattle. I was unaware of that. But then again I don't go to Seattle proper very often. Cool! I too love to go into shops like that, but makes me sick looking at the prices. It may be different if I was really into specimens. I like good specimens, but I don't spend a lot for them. I guess I wold rather find them. But about th shark teeth hunt. Maybe next time unless you spend a lot of time removing the over burden to get to the pay level. Probably just what the other people are waiting for. Someone to do all the work then go hunt. Da bums!! That lepidoite piece sounds cool. Need to post a pic so we all can see it. Paull Do you find this valuable? |
