Sunstone or Heliolite

When the fog deceives your steps, when all you can see are dark clouds, when the rain of your tears runs down your face, when you feel lonely and gloomy, the Sunstone is there to show you the light in the middle of the fog, the rainbow between two dark clouds and the ray of sunshine that makes the drops of water sparkle between two showers.

It's a warm and positive ally that invites you to look on the bright side of things. Like a ray of sunshine, it chases away the gloom that's stuck for too long and invites cheerfulness and light to dance to the rhythm of your creativity.

No more moping, boredom, dwelling on your problems or putting off your happiness until tomorrow! Sunstone invites you to celebrate and spurs you into action, to dare to break out of your shell or habits to meet new people, embark on new projects or make what you've already got blossom.

By highlighting the sunnier parts of your being, it can help you gain full confidence in your potential and recognize your qualities. And when you find it hard to believe in your resources, when you're afraid of running out, it shows you the sun and how this energy can inspire and nourish you, so that you too can make everything you touch grow and prosper.

With this stone, you can gain vitality, enthusiasm and lightness, so you can radiate confidence by opening your arms wide to luck, abundance and joy.

Physically, it can aid digestion and relieve stomach acid or ulcer problems. It stimulates the nervous system and can be a great help in cases of depression, anxiety attacks or convalescence.

How to use a Sunstone

• To balance your masculine and feminine polarities, place a Moonstone on your left and a Sunstone on your right.
• When winter's long and the need for light and warmth arises, contemplate a Sunstone. Place it where you can see it often, like where you drink your coffee or on your desk.
• Wear it directly against your skin and contemplate it regularly to reap its full benefits.
• Low vitality? Place this stone in your water carafe.
• In case of depression, place a Sunstone on your plexus and a second one over your heart.
• For digestive problems, place this stone directly on your belly.

Where to place a Sunstone?

• A Sunstone in your living space will diffuse warm energies conducive to joie de vivre and conviviality.
• It can be placed in your kitchen, living room, dining table or galley.
• In your bedroom, next to your alarm clock, to motivate you to get up and start a new day.
• It can also be a welcome addition to your workplace, especially if you don't see natural daylight or work at night.

Who is the Sunstone for?

• It can be a great help for people who are shy, introverted, lack self-confidence and have difficulty making friends.
• For the elderly, who are often alone, to give them the desire to enjoy life despite difficulties or health problems.
• It's an ideal stone for developing masculine potential without denying feminine potential. It is ideal for anyone wishing to explore this polarity of their being, or who frequently needs to be masculine in their work or daily life.
• It's perfect for depressed, morose people who have lost their zest for life.

The Sunstone in mineralogy

Sunstone (or Heliolite) is a plagioclase of the Feldspar group. It is of liquid magmatic formation and can survive metamorphic processes. It is a sodium and calcium aluminosilicate containing traces of barium, iron, potassium and strontium. It is transparent, translucent or opaque and can take on pink, red, orange or yellow hues. It is distinguished by its sparkling appearance, known as "aventurinescence", due to inclusions of hematite (iron oxide) flakes.

Did you know?

• The famous Sunstone from Oregon in the USA stands out for its transparency and has a different formation and composition: it is volcanically formed in basaltic lava flows and contains manganese and phosphorus and its inclusions are copper flakes.
• The mineralogical name for Sunstone is "Feldspar aventurine" and has nothing to do with the Aventurine variety of quartz.
• Orange Gold River" is often sold under the name of Sunstone. In reality, it's synthetic glass containing copper flakes.
• Sunstone belongs to the same family as Moonstone.

The story of the Sunstone

Its name, Pierre du soleil, comes from its golden appearance and its solar colors, which also earned it the name Héliolite from the Greek Hélios, sun and lithos, stone.

Amerindian legend has it that the blood of a valiant warrior formed this stone and gave it its magical powers.

In ancient Greece, it was associated with Helios, the god of the sun. It was a symbol of joy and good fortune, guaranteeing strength and prosperity to its owner.

Throughout history, it has often been associated with magical rituals of celebration and healing, as witnessed by the many objects decorated with Sunstones found in different parts of the world.

Did you know?

The Sunstone used by Vikings to navigate their expeditions at sea is thought to be either Calcite, Sunstone or Cordierite. Archaeologists don't all agree on the question.