Comparison · Materials vs Silicate Minerals
Goldstone vs Sunstone
Goldstone and Sunstone are easy to confuse. Sunstone is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Goldstone (Mohs 5.5), so Sunstone will scratch Goldstone and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Goldstone and Sunstone
- Sunstone is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Goldstone (Mohs 5.5), so Sunstone will scratch Goldstone and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- Streak color differs: Goldstone leaves a white to colorless streak on unglazed porcelain, Sunstone leaves white.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Goldstone is opaque, Sunstone is transparent.
- They overlap in orange and yellow, but Goldstone also comes in brown and Sunstone also comes in red, pink, and clear.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Goldstone is amorphous, Sunstone is triclinic.
Goldstone vs Sunstone properties
| Property | Goldstone | Sunstone |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Materials | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White to colorless | White |
| Transparency | opaque | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.5 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | amorphous | triclinic |
| Common colors | Copper, Brown, Orange, Gold, Sparkly | Orange, Red, Golden, Pink, Colorless |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $3–$80+ | $10–$700+ |
Which is more valuable?
Sunstone is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $15 for Goldstone, and premium Sunstone can reach $700 or more.
About Goldstone
Goldstone is a manufactured glittering glass, usually coppery brown to orange, sold as beads, cabochons, and tumbled stones.
About Sunstone
Sunstone is a gem feldspar known for aventurescence, a glittering metallic shimmer caused by tiny reflective platelets of copper, hematite, or goethite. It ranges from golden to orange and red and is cut as a gemstone.
Goldstone vs Sunstone FAQ
Is Goldstone the same as Sunstone?
No. Goldstone is a material while Sunstone is a silicate mineral. Sunstone is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Goldstone (Mohs 5.5), so Sunstone will scratch Goldstone and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Goldstone from Sunstone?
Sunstone is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Goldstone (Mohs 5.5), so Sunstone will scratch Goldstone and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Streak color differs: Goldstone leaves a white to colorless streak on unglazed porcelain, Sunstone leaves white. Hold a thin edge to the light: Goldstone is opaque, Sunstone is transparent.
Which is harder, Goldstone or Sunstone?
Sunstone is harder: Mohs 6.5 against Mohs 5.5 for Goldstone.
Which is more valuable, Goldstone or Sunstone?
Sunstone is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $15 for Goldstone, and premium Sunstone can reach $700 or more.
