mineral

Goldstone (aventurine glass)

Man-made copper-bearing glass; not a natural mineral (commonly sold as blue/brown goldstone)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Brown-red, translucent to opaque beads with abundant reflective copper crystals and a vitreous luster. Hardness is about 5.5–6 Mohs; amorphous glass has no crystal structure or cleavage, and specific gravity is roughly 2.4–2.6.

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Produced by slowly cooling silica glass containing copper and other metal oxides, allowing glittering copper crystals to form. It is a modern human-made material rather than a geologic rock, though it is commonly marketed as a gemstone.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, ornaments, and inexpensive jewelry. Its sparkle resembles aventurine, but it is generally much less valuable than natural aventurine or copper-bearing minerals.

Geological facts

The glitter comes from metallic copper inclusions, not mica; the brown-red variety is often called red or brown goldstone. “Goldstone” is also sometimes incorrectly labeled “aventurine.”

Field identification & locations

Identify by uniformly distributed, highly reflective glitter, rounded bead manufacture, glassy polish, and lack of natural mineral zoning. Commonly produced in China, Italy, and elsewhere; typical bead strands sell for about $10–$40, with premium pieces around $50–$100.