ALERT: Solaris Sunstone™, Seen This Gemstone Before!?
Solaris Sunstone™
I figured this is a very important situation to touch base on right now before anyone jumps in without thinking!! I would refrain from purchasing any of this material currently! There is NO proof that this material is not just the same duck as Ande-Lab dressed up with a nice new name/title! I find this slightly suspicious, to say the least, that not so long after the AGTA made their Public Announcement about:
With consumer and buyer protection in mind, the AGTA will now require its members who sell or consign any red andesine-labradorite to disclose it as diffused material, and indicate this either in plain language or by use of the industry accepted code, “U”, for diffusion*. If it can be determined that the material is natural, as in the case of particular Oregon material; then it may be disclosed as untreated.
Then suddenly a new material in the form of yet another red feldspar(which, factually to date, only naturally occurs in Oregon and NOWHERE else on the planet), looking an awfully like the Scamdesine of the past, but this time it is instead called a Sunstone! By calling it a Sunstone they actually bypass the AGTA Press Release mentioned above, if this material is indeed the same Frankenstone as before! If it is not, then why no massive news broadcast and hype that a new stone was found, like what would happen with any other legit, or even not so legit, finds!!!?? Why all hush hush and just suddenly be pushing all over the TV Shows and certain other well known Vendors’ websites as being a new stone and new find and, worst of all, that it is completely natural with no treatments!!!???? After all the news hype and legal hype that took place over the Scamdesine issue and no other red material being in existence naturally outside of Oregon, this should have been big time news, not a silent release under the radar, unless there truly is something to hide!?
And why price tags close to US$1000 from these US Sellers & Companies when Chinese wholesalers are posting same exact rings and stones for under US$30!!! The trade has some great mark-ups, no doubt folks, but come on, that is very unrealistic!
No any facts to help? Please post them! Any ideas? Post them! We need to get to the bottom of this one before it does any damage! And if it turns out to be legit, I doubt, I want to find as much info as possible since one of my personal favorites are any stones belonging to the Feldspar families of gemstones and minerals!
Your alert is right on the mark. Robert James at ISG has also issued a consumer alert (sorry the pictures don’t show, but the ring mentioned can be seen by googling solaris sunstone ring or visiting any of the dealers listed below). NOTE–K&K Jewelry has modified its listing to disclose origin and treatment:
21 August 2009
Consumer Alert: Solaris Sunstone!
All of the images in the banner are from different sellers of this ring! But read on….
A potentially serious situation has been brought to our attention regarding the industry wide sale of a ?new? type of Chinese sunstone known by the trade name of ?Solaris Sunstone?.
We should note that this name is the registered Chinese business name or: PRIME GROWTH ASSETS LIMITED, 1212, Block A, Focal Industrial Centre21 Man Lok Street, Hung HomKowloon Hong Kong.
At issue is a supposedly new type of Chinese sunstone being widely marketed on the internet and other locations as all natural with no reported treatment.
Here are just a few of the sellers we have found, there are many more than listed. All images have been presented for the purpose of this review direct from the selling websites. The website sellers retain all copyrights to these images, but the images are used as a review for consumers to be able to make informed decisions before buying.
Stuller: Genuine Solaris Sunstone and Diamond Ring. 14kt Yellow Gold, .06ct Diamonds. $439.60
K and K Jewelry: Gemstone 8mm Solaris Sunstone and Diamond Ring with .06ct Diamonds. $565.00.
VS Pearl Company: Genuine Solaris Sunstone and Diamond Ring. 14kt Yellow Gold, .06ct Diamonds. Regular $1299.00, Special Price $999.00.
Here is where the situation gets messy from a Chinese Dealer:
DHGate.com: Diamond Solaris Sunstone. 8mm Right Hand 14kty. $27.36 per piece but is SOLD OUT!
Right now we don’t know exactly what is going on here, but any time we hear the words “China” and “sunstone” in the same sentence our ears perk up and we start smelling up wind for a predator. After the whole Andegem.com andesine fiasco was exposed, we have wondered where this Chinese diffusion treated feldspar would surface again.
Is this just someone who has put a lot of lipstick on this same pig in an effort to sell it again? We don’t know. But we are going to find out. When we do, we will keep you all informed about it. Until then, we believe that consumers should be aware of the above and make informed decisions based on this information and your own research.
If any consumer or retailer has purchased a Solaris Sunstone, we would appreciate the opportunity to inspect it.
If Solaris Sunstone would care to provide us with documentation or information regarding this situation we welcome you to share with us.
Robert James FGA, GG
President, International School of Gemology
Note: All trade names and copyrights are owned by the companies listed. Based on our right to investigate and report on claims being made to consumers we have presented these for the purpose of proving the source of these claims as factual. All pages on PDF files have been taken direct and in whole from the owners public websites who retain all copyrights.
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©2009 International School of Gemology . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
All images are taken using the ISG Student Reference Collection of gemstones in the ISG office. We do urge and support sharing of this information in its entirety, with copyright notices intact, to others who are interested in the study of gemology. Jeweler?s Associations are welcome to distribute to your members.