Aventurine Gemstone Information![]() Buy Natural Aventurine Gemstones from GemSelect
About Aventurine - History and IntroductionAventurine is a gemstone variety of quartz characterized by its translucency and sparkly metallic inclusions. Glittery inclusions are typically composed of muscovite mica, which usually results in medium to dark green aventurine stones with a silvery green or blue sheen. The metallic inclusions give aventurine quartz a unique sparkling iridescent effect, known as 'aventurescence'. The remarkable optical effect is owed to traces of muscovite mica, and often hematite or goethite. Aventurine typically ranges from light- to dark-green in color. Aventurine's color is caused by trace elements of fuchsite in otherwise colorless quartz. Fuchsite is a chromium-rich variety of muscovite. Aventurine is often so heavily included with fuchsite, that it is technically defined as a rock and not a mineral. Despite this technicality, aventurine is still classified as quartz by most, who consider fuchsite to be only an inclusion within the quartz.
Identifying AventurineBack to TopAventurine can typically be distinguished and identified by color and the presence of 'aventurescence'. Aventurine's unique optical phenomenon of 'aventurescence' ranges in intensity from weak to intense. The level of intensity depends on the density and size of metallic inclusions. The body color of aventurine also varies depending on inclusions. In fact, most aventurine quartz appears banded and exhibits noticeable lighter and darker color zones. Aventurine has a grainy texture in its rough state, but displays an attractive, soft and dull vitreous luster when polished. Aventurine quartz is sometimes confused with aventurine feldspar, but feldspar occurs orange to red and has a higher level of transparency, which makes it easily distinguishable. Aventurine feldspar is now commonly referred to as 'sunstone', leaving the name 'aventurine' to refer primarily to the quartz variety. Aventurine quartz has a unique occurrence, hardness, luster, conchoidal fracture, refractive index and specific gravity. Aventurine may be easily confused with malachite and jade, but only by appearance, since both are much softer than aventurine quartz. The term 'Indian jade' is often incorrectly applied when referring to aventurine. Aventurine quartz can be found in many locations around the world. Some of the most popular sources include Brazil, Chile, India, Austria, Russia and Tanzania. Aventurine's DiscoveryAventurine was originally an accidental discovery made by Venetian glass workers during the 18th century. The name 'aventurine' was derived from the Italian words "a" and "ventura", which mean "by chance". The Miotti family from Italy created an iridescent Italian glass known as 'goldstone', which closely resembles aventurine. Goldstone was accidentally made when copper filings spilled into a batch of glass during production. This was the birth of goldstone and artificial aventurine. Muscovite mica was also named after a type of glass, known as 'Muscovy glass'.Quartz has been used for centuries for gemstones and other ornamental objects. Some of the earliest known primitive tools were composed of quartz and discovered in Ethiopia's Omo Valley. Many of the tools date back more than two and a half million years and were found to be constructed from aventurine quartz. Aventurine is a superior material for tool-making because of its excellent hardness and also its isotropic brittleness that allows it to be shaped relatively easily.
Please refer to our Gemstone Glossary for details on gemology-related terms.
Aventurine quartz is one of the many quartz gemstones available today. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on Earth. In fact, approximately 12% of the Earth's crust is composed of quartz. There are a handful of gems which may appear similar to aventurine, including sunstone, malachite, variscite, chrysoprase, jade (Indian jade), chalcedony and amazonite. However, most of these are easily distinguished through simple scratch testing and inspection of colors or inclusions. Aventurine's iridescent "aventurescence" is usually enough to identify and distinguish it amongst other gemstones. Goldstone is an artificial glass that is commonly used as an alternative for aventurine quartz.
Aventurine is known to be a stone of luck. Green aventurine is thought to hold the most power compared to other colors available. Aventurine is thought to stimulate dreams and have a positive effect on psychic ability. It is known to promote feelings of well-being and give its wearer a positive outlook on life. Aventurine can ease anxiety and strong emotion. Aventurine is thought to help one make decisions from the heart, stimulating creative inspiration and giving its wearer the courage to live among others (this applies to light to dark-green aventurine). It is a comforter and supporter as well as a balancing stone. Pure green aventurine has the strongest healing energy. Many believe that it has the capability to calm a troubled spirit and bring about inner peace. In summary, aventurine symbolizes tranquility, patience and creativity. Physically, aventurine is thought to facilitate psychotherapy. It is an ideal stone for treating heart and respiratory disorders. Aventurine is also believed to help improve vision. It is associated with the planet Mercury and also the 6th and 7th chakras (the brow and crown chakras). Aventurine is a stone of Cancer and is also popular for those born under the signs of Taurus and Sagittarius.
Aventurine is popular for jewelry making, especially because of its excellent hardness and durability. Since it most often occurs opaque, it is often cut into beads and cabochons. Aventurine is ideal for any type of beaded or stranded jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets and ornamental carvings. Some popular ornamental carvings include bookends, animal cameos and figurines. Aventurine is ideal for use in gemstone cabochon rings and pendants. Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight. Colored stones vary in size-to-weight ratio. Some stones are larger and others are smaller than diamonds by weight in comparison.
When storing aventurine gemstones, store them inside a fabric-lined box or wrapped in a soft cloth. Aventurine should be stored separately from other types of gemstone to prevent damage or scratches. It is best to remove any jewelry before engaging in any strenuous physical activity, such as exercise or sports. |
- First Published: July-18-2013
- Last Updated: January-03-2019
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