metamorphic
Green Aventurine
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Fuchsite inclusions (Quartzite)
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs scale; Color: Pale to deep green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (Microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.64-2.69. Known for 'aventurescence' (a shimmering effect).
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Pale to deep green
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs scale; Color: Pale to deep green; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (Microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.64-2.69. Known for 'aventurescence' (a shimmering effect).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of sandstone into quartzite, where high pressure and temperature cause recrystallization. The green color is specifically caused by the inclusion of platy Fuchsite (chromium-rich mica) during the metamorphic process.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry for beads, cabochons, and carvings. Also used in ornamental home decor, aquarium gravel, and within the metaphysical supply industry as a 'stone of opportunity'.
Geological facts
The name 'Aventurine' comes from the Italian 'a ventura', meaning 'by chance', which originally referred to the 18th-century discovery of Venetian 'goldstone' glass that happens to look like this natural stone.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its characteristic shimmering sparkles caused by mica inclusions. Commercially, it is most commonly sourced from India and Brazil.
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