Aventurine (ah-VEN-cher-een) is a variety of quartz with inclusions of muscovite mica; sometimes the inclusions may be hematite or goethite. These inclusions produce the shimmery, glistening effect aptly named aventurescence. There is a wide variation in the degree of aventurescence present in any given sample, and this is directly related to the amount of inclusions. The color usually ranges from pale to dark green, and this green color comes from trace amounts of fuchsite, which is also a form of muscovite. Other colours, such as blue, yellow, gray, orange, and brown, are possible; however, color types other than green are uncommon, and rarely used in bead work.
The name aventurine comes from the Italian phrase a ventura, meaning “by chance”; they chose this name because it was discovered accidentally by Venetian glass workers in the 18th century.
Aventurine has a Mohs hardness of 7 and a trigonal crystal structure because it is in the quartz family.
Location: The main sources of aventurine are Austria, Brazil, Chile, India, Russia, and Tanzania.
Properties: Aventurine offers confidence in new situations, encourages growth and movement, and provides stability in times of change; it is particularly helpful when entering entirely new situations, such as a new job, relationship, or residence. It helps to face troubling or challenging issues with acceptance and understanding; in particular, it guides us to accept the transient nature of all things and see that loss or destruction of things provides the space and material needed for creation of new ones. It also has the capacity to manifest greater prosperity. Aventurine helps to increase optimism and enjoyment of life, and is considered to be something of a ‘good luck’ stone. Aventurine can guide us to release old outmoded patterns and receive healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
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