Oregon Sunstone

[PinkDiamond]

The ISG recently did a field trip to the Plush mines in Oregon. I'm still upset that I'm tied here without a critter sitter and couldn't go - sniff -, but if you want to see what REAL sunstone looks like right out of the ground, check out this video and enjoy the slideshow of their mining adventures. THIS stuff is FABULOUS!!!!!

Video Tour of the ISG at Plush 2009
http://www.schoolofgemology.com/ISGatPlush2009.html

[PinkDiamond]

I am SO excited because even though I didn't get to go on the trip to the sunstone mines in Oregon with the ISG in June, I got a gift from them in the mail yesterday, so now I can show you what the Oregon rough looks like up close. Here's a shot of the 15.65ct rough from the Double Eagle mine in Plush Oregon. THIS is what andesine/labradorite/sunstone rough is SUPPOSED to look like!!



WOOHOO!!!

[PinkDiamond]

This is a fantastic new website the ISG has just launched, where you can find all the information you could ever want on Oregon Sunstone. Don't miss the information on all the fraudulent mines that some claim exist, because they're all BOGUS, and you can get into a lot of trouble claiming stones from other sources are natural and untreated because they are anything BUT that!

Be sure to check out all the award-winning cutters and their designs. These people are artists and master cutters, such as Marty Guptil, who came here to respond to your questions about his amazing faceted Contra Luz opal that I posted, and Dalan Hargrave (one of my favorites!) has some incredible carved specimens that you definitely don't want to miss; plus all the others featured who are also superior cutters who literally work magic with these stones. All I can say about them is a resounding WOW!!!

Many thanks to Robert James and the ISG for this wonderful site! Enjoy!!

8 October 2009

ISG launches website to bring the truth about Plush Sunstone.

New website to provide consumer support information and the latest updates!

The International School of Gemology is pleased to announce the launch of our consumer support website offering information and news regarding Plush Sunstone. This website offers consumer based information on the various aspects of the production of Plush Sunstone, and the first Sunstone Master Grading System to provide the industry with a benchmark grading system for the Plush Sunstone markets. We also offer a listing of some of the finest cutters and designers who specialize in authentic, natural Plush Sunstone.

This website also provides the latest updates on our research into the various fakes and imitations out on the market, particularly the Chinese andesine fiasco perpetrated by Andegem.com and others. There is a special section that provides the trade names under which this fake material is being sold, as well as a list of sellers who have been reported to sell the diffusion treated Chinese andesine without disclosure and as all natural. The purpose is to educate and inform consumers so that we can avoid a repeat of the fiasco of Jewelry Television and Direct Shopping Network selling of this material without disclosure.

This website has been produced by the International School of Gemology for the purpose of consumer awareness and education regarding Plush Sunstone. All content is property of the ISG who is solely responsible for the content. The Plush Sunstone miners contributed to this site by donating certain study specimens used to create the website. However the ISG is solely responsible for all gemological information and all comments made anywhere within the website.

To visit the site please use this link (please disregard any MailFilterGateway notice, this is a safe link from the ISG):

Visit PlushSunstone.com

Or visit: http://plushsunstone.com

Robert James FGA, GG
President, International School of Gemology

Now that I have these leads on cutters for my sunstone rough, all I have to do is save every penny I can to have it turned into something spectacular. Woohoo!!

[jenador4]

Hi PinkDiamond

Just watched the video you posted, wow, I want to go to Oregon and mine the Oregon Sunstone!!!! It took me right back to our mining days in Central Queensland mining sapphires. It looked like the mining techniques were pretty much the same. Thank you for sharing.

[PinkDiamond]

This is extremely important for all interested in the andesine/labradorite debacle brought to light by the ISG last year, and confirmed in this report:

Interim Report; 14-Sep-2009
The Red Feldspar Project
George R. Rossman, California Institute of Technology

"...Is There a Mine in Tibet That Produces Natural Red Andesine?
The argon release experiment results were the same on all stones we tested from Inner Mongolia or Tibet (or those claimed to have come from the Congo). None of the stones from Tibet (that were obtained from either people who say their family owns the mine or from people who have visited the mine) showed the large amounts radiogenic argon that the yellow, rough Inner Mongolia stones showed...."

http://www.gia.edu/research-resources/n ... alyses.pdf

REMEMBER: there is NO evidence of any mines producing red and green andesine EXCEPT in Oregon in the U.S.! Don't be fooled, and whatever you do, do NOT sell any as natural and untreated UNLESS it is Oregon material.

*This post is also posted in the 'Don't Be Fooled By Imitations' thread.