Green Aventurine
Green aventurine is a variety of quartz that contains small, flat, reflective inclusions of fuchsite, a green chromium-bearing mica. These platelets give the stone its characteristic glittering shimmer, known as "aventurescence". The colour ranges from pale to deep green, and stones are often slightly banded with lighter and darker zones. Material with very dense fuchsite can appear almost opaque.
Aventurine is quartzite or massive quartz rather than single crystals, so it is translucent to opaque and is used mainly for beads, cabochons and carvings rather than faceted stones. It is widely available and affordable, and is sometimes called "Indian jade", although it is not related to true jade. India is the main source of green aventurine, with other deposits in Brazil, Russia, Austria and Tanzania.
The name comes from the Italian "a ventura", meaning "by chance". It was first given to goldstone, a sparkling glass discovered by Venetian glassmakers, and was later applied to the natural stone because it shows a similar sparkle.
Green aventurine is not usually treated, but dyed quartzite and green glass are sometimes sold as imitations. The fuchsite inclusions can usually be seen with a hand lens, which helps identify the natural stone.
Green Aventurine at a glance
| Colour | Light to dark green with a silvery sparkle (aventurescence) |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 6.5 – 7 |
| Composition | Silicon dioxide with fuchsite (chromium mica) inclusions |
| Crystal structure | Trigonal; massive (quartzite) |
| Lustre | Vitreous to dull |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque |
| Where it is found | India, Brazil, Russia, Austria, Chile, Tanzania and China |
Caring for green aventurine
Green aventurine is hard (6.5 – 7 on the Mohs scale) and has no cleavage, so it is durable for everyday wear. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush or cloth, then rinse and dry. Avoid harsh household chemicals and prolonged high heat. Store it separately from harder gems, such as sapphire and diamond, which can scratch it.
In folklore
The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.
Aventurine has long been associated with luck and chance, and it is a traditional good-luck charm for games, competitions and new ventures. Some folklore claims it was used in Tibetan statues to give them sight and to improve the wearer's perception. It is associated with the zodiac signs Taurus, Cancer and Virgo.
Green aventurine is traditionally known as the "stone of opportunity" and is considered one of the luckiest stones. Crystal healing lore holds that it attracts prosperity and good fortune, eases anxiety and brings a positive, optimistic outlook. It is also said to calm the emotions, encourage compassion and support decision-making. It is linked to the heart chakra.
Related stones
Red aventurine, blue aventurine, quartz, quartzite, rock crystal and chalcedony. Similar-looking stones include jade (nephrite and jadeite), amazonite, chrysoprase, malachite and variscite. Goldstone is a man-made glass with a similar sparkle and is often sold alongside aventurine. Aventurine feldspar (sunstone) also shows aventurescence but is a different mineral.
For the technically minded
| Scientific name | SiO2 |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.64 – 2.69 |
| Refractive index | 1.544 – 1.553 |
| Double refraction | 0.009 |
| Cleavage | None |
| Streak | White |
| Fluorescence | Weak reddish (some material) |