mineral
Green Aventurine
Quartz (SiO2) with fuchsite inclusions
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, pale to dark green color with a shimmering or glistening effect (aventurescence) caused by mineral inclusions, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity around 2.65.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Green Aventurine in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, pale to dark green color with a shimmering or glistening effect (aventurescence) caused by mineral inclusions, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily in metamorphic environments or hydrothermal veins, often as a quartzite variety where quartz grains are intergrown with tiny flakes of green mica (fuchsite).
Uses & applications
Widely used in ornamental carvings, polished stones, tumbled stones, jewelry, and crystal healing.
Geological facts
The shimmering effect, known as aventurescence, gets its name from the Italian word 'avventura', meaning 'by chance', which refers to the accidental discovery of aventurine glass in the 18th century.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic pale-to-medium green color combined with a metallic sparkle. Found worldwide, with significant deposits in India, Brazil, Russia, and Austria.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral