The Sunstone Store
A Partnership in Art & Craft
The Sunstone Store is the result of two lifelong passions coming together: Steve Douglas’ love of lapidary and craftsmanship, and Elyse Slaughenhaupt Douglas’ talent for art and design. What began as a shared appreciation for the beauty of minerals grew into a career dedicated to creating fine jewelry that celebrates Oregon’s official state gemstone—the Oregon Sunstone. The couple have been married since 1982 and have two sons.
Steve discovered his love of rocks as a teenager, shaping and polishing stones and casting jewelry long before he became a professional goldsmith. Elyse, with a background in commercial art, found her calling when she realized jewelry design allowed her to merge artistry, color, and three-dimensional form into one expressive medium.
Their complementary skills—Steve’s technical precision and Elyse’s artistic vision—laid the foundation for a business rooted in both craftsmanship and creativity.
In 2002, Steve and Elyse were introduced to Oregon Sunstone, a copper-bearing feldspar found only in the high desert of southeastern Oregon. The discovery was transformative. They began working directly with miners and eventually participated in cooperative mining efforts, ensuring responsibly sourced gems of exceptional quality.
“Oregon Sunstone is truly unique,” Steve says. “Its range of color—from golden yellow to green, orange, and even with copper schiller—sets it apart. Each mine yields subtle differences, and that variety makes our collection unmatched.”
The couple’s dedication to this rare gemstone led them to rebrand their company as The Sunstone Store in 2016, establishing themselves as a premier destination for Oregon Sunstone jewelry.
Today, Steve oversees the technical side of production, ensuring every piece meets the store’s exacting standards. With decades of goldsmithing experience, his work bridges traditional techniques and modern innovations.
Elyse, a certified gemologist with credentials in diamonds and colored stones, serves as lead designer. Her work is distinguished by fluid, organic lines and asymmetry, often influenced by the Art Nouveau period. Her designs highlight the natural beauty of Oregon Sunstone and other ethically sourced gems, balancing elegance with originality.
Together, their partnership produces jewelry that is at once finely crafted, innovative, and deeply connected to the natural world.
The Sunstone Store has been part of the Bend community since 2002, located in the heart of downtown until they closed the retail location in 2020. Steve and Elyse have helped bring national recognition to Oregon Sunstone, from showcasing at the Tucson Gem Show to collaborations with events such as the Miss Oregon pageant. They now reside in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Their work continues to highlight what makes Oregon unique: artistry, authenticity, and a strong connection to place.
The Sunstone Store has always been more than a jewelry shop—it is a family legacy rooted in Oregon’s desert. From the earliest days, the Douglas family played a vital role in Oregon Sunstone mining. Russell J. Douglas and his brother-in-law Wendell Jarvey were among the early partners, spending countless hours alongside Steve Douglas and his young sons, Ian and Gavin, searching the high desert for Sunstone crystals. Their vision and hard work laid the foundation for the business we continue today.
That spirit of dedication continues through the next generation. Alexandra Holman Douglas, our daughter-in-law, is an apprentice metalsmith who designs and handcrafts many of the pieces you see on our website. She also supports the business in countless ways—writing blogs and newsletters, managing inventory, and nurturing relationships with affiliate stores—all while studying at the Portland Jewelry Academy.
Ian Jame Douglas, our eldest son, is an accomplished metalsmith living in Portland, Oregon. He works to promote The Sunstone Store and is preparing to take on greater leadership, carrying the family tradition forward.
Every piece of jewelry we create reflects this family commitment—spanning generations of miners, metalsmiths, and storytellers who share a passion for Oregon Sunstone.
