Dust Devil Mining Company

Rough sunstones are commonly found in sizes from the head of a pin to the size of a large peach pit - or even bigger. They may have a shiny, glassy appearance, or be dulled by dust or mud. They may be very clear, or show color from straw yellow to shades of red or green. Sunstones often contain a copper schiller that makes them flash like a brand new penny.

Screening is one of the most popular and productive methods for finding sunstones. While it tends to produce the greatest total carat weight, all methods seem to be equally productive for larger stones.

In screening, loose earth is shoveled into a screen...

...which is then shaken vigorously to remove sand and dust:

The contents of the screen are examined carefully for sunstones before the process is repeated:

Here is the result of three days hard work - a double handful of chunky red gems, ready for cutting:

A sunstone crystal is seen protruding from the basalt parent rock.

A juicy red sunstone lies in the bed of basalt gravel where it was found.

At the proper angle to the sun, a stone may transmit a striking glow of fiery color.