Editors

5 Things to Know About … Rainbow Lattice Sunstone

EditorsApr 24, 2018

5 Things to Know About … Rainbow Lattice Sunstone

Learn more about the feldspar with magnetite inclusions in perfect parallel lines.

20180424_Rainbow-lattice-header.jpg
The oriented inclusions in this rough piece of rainbow lattice sunstone show up in perfect parallel lines.

There’s something so striking about geometry and perfect patterns found in nature.

For one small area in northern Australia, these features are presented in the form of “lattice” pattern inclusions in a gemstone that would make any rock hound stop in her or his tracks.

Rainbow lattice sunstone is unusual in its appearance—showing both aventurescence, caused by small inclusions of a mineral with a highly reflective surface, and the optical phenomenon adularescence—and rare to find.

It is rare for aventurescence to occur together with adularescence, and the material is made even more interesting when you add the presence of the colorful lattice.

Asterism Gems Australia, a company formed in 2015, is working to get approval on a mining lease for the small area from which it is sourced.

Here are five things to know about rainbow lattice sunstone.

1. It’s relatively new, in mining terms.

Darren Arthur and a late friend, Sonny Mason, were the original discoverers of the material in 1985.

Arthur said Mason had a small claim on it for some years, with small amounts of rainbow lattice sunstone filtering into the market over time, but that claim lapsed a few years ago.

In 2015, Arthur and a second gemologist created Asterism Gems. They then assessed and sampled the area that showed potential for a mining lease, and, having enough stock to supply the market, started the lease application process.

Arthur said the company expects it be approved later this year.

2. It has an interesting composition. 

Rainbow lattice sunstone is a feldspar comprised of 75 percent orthoclase and 25 percent albite.

(The material has been referred to as “rainbow lattice sunstone” since its discovery, but Arthur said the company recently decided to drop the “sunstone” moniker for marketing purposes and to avoid comparison to regular sunstones. However, since much of the educational material about it still uses the whole name, including an article referenced below, I decided to keep it.)

It originally was believed that the black blades and triangle inclusions were ilmenite, but improved technology over the last three decades has shown them to be magnetite.

In fact, the Gemmological Institute at the China University of Geosciences recently took another look at the material and just published an article in the Gemmological Association of Great Britain’s Journal of Gemmology (36(1), 2018, pp. 44–52) confirming this and more about the science behind rainbow lattice sunstone.

The material, it said, features a rare combination of phenomena including aventurescence

(as seen in sunstone), adularescence (as seen in moonstone) and a distinctive lattice pattern created by its inclusions.

The Journal also noted that the inclusions causing the aventurescence have been identified as hematite, while the lattice patterns consist of “orangey brown” platelets of hematite and black platelets of magnetite.


3. It only comes from one place.

Rainbow lattice sunstone is found in a remote area of desert named the Mud Tank Zircon Field, located in Harts Range in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Once Asterism’s mining license is approved, the company will have the only mining claim for the area, both Arthur and Gem-A said. Arthur said they will mine using only hand tools.

(According to the aforementioned Gem-A article, there is another rainbow lattice sunstone occurrence a little more than 4 miles away, but it produces lower-quality material.)

4. Production is small.

According to Asterism Gems, rainbow lattice sunstone is a difficult material to work with and has a lot of cracks, so it can be hard to find any sizeable, clean pieces.

Arthur said the mining lease will be smaller than 500 x 400 meters, an area which includes the entire deposit. He added they have found material in less than 10 percent of this area.

He called it a “very finite deposit” that “rarely” provides good size and the fine quality needed to cut the best gems. “Indications are that over 90 percent of what we will mine will only suit the metaphysical and collector’s market,” with only a small amount of gem quality being produced per day.

It is sold as both partially polished rough pieces as well as cabochons.

When it comes to pricing, though, rainbow lattice’s value has steadily increased over the past few years, he added.

5. There is opportunity in the U.S. market.

For the past two years, Asterism Gems has exhibited at the Riverpark Inn in Tucson, Arizona, when the gem shows take over the city.

“Rainbow lattice has been well accepted in the U.S. and, to date, it is our biggest market,” Arthur said.

He added that the Chinese and Japanese markets are starting to learn about it, and the company expects demand to increase over the next year as full-scale mining begins.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Jeffrey Zimmer Reeds Jewelers
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

Sothebys salon new bond street
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry Service

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

Oscar Heyman 2025 Holiday Catalog Cover
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s Spectacular

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (2) (1).jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ Collection

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Kathy Corey
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy Corey

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado Jeweler

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

ja_fall_2024_by_headshot_stories_6824.jpg
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the Corner

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Douriean Fletcher Messenger Collection
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MAD

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Logo for Timepieces at Luxury
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next Year

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

Max Fawcett Claibourne Poindexter
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department Leadership

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom Dixon

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer LLC
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

Cooper Flagg family at Day’s Jewelers
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper Flagg

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

Pragnell Kitulo Garnet collection
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Alisa Bunger Frederick Goldman
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of Sales

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Chief Trade and Industry Officer
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

Fabergé Imperial Winter Egg
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

Kessler watch battery recycling program
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

Katkim Men’s Collection Shadow Pendant Necklace and Anerise Signet Band
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s Collection

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

Gemfields Rough Rubies
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11M

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

“Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity” engagement ring and wedding band
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Emily P. Wheeler Ombré Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ Collection

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

MRK x MFA Tsuba Charm Necklace Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New Charms

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Stock image of a gavel and law books
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s Murder

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy