
Aventurine quartz gets its color from small, included reflective crystals and results from the nature of the inclusions. Green has platy green fuchsite mica inclusions, brown comes from pyrite, and greenish brown is attributed to the mineral goethite. Other varieties in bluish and orange hues also occur. Confusion with aventurine feldspar, amazonite, and jade is possible. Aventurine quartz is commonly found in Brazil, India, Russia, the U.S., Japan, and Tanzania.
Gemological Information for Aventurine
Color: | Translucent to Opaque Green (Most Common), Blue, Gray, Yellow and Brown with Aventurescence |
Crystal Structure: | Trigonal |
Refractive Index: | 1.544-1.553 |
Durability: | 7 |
Hardness: | Very Durable |
Family: | Quartz |
Similar Stones: | |
Treatments: | Dyeing |
Country of Origin: | Worldwide Deposits |
Aventurine Care
Ultrasonic Cleaning: | Usually Safe |
Steam Cleaning: | Usually Safe |
Warm Soapy Water: | Safe |
Chemical Attack: | Avoid |
Light Sensitivity: | May Fade |
Heat Sensitivity: | May Change Color |
Sources
- Gem Reference Guide, Los Angeles: Gemological Institute of America, 1988.
- Hall, Cally. Gemstones, Smithsonian Handbooks. London, DK Penguin Random House, 2021.