Aventurine has a unique and characteristic shimmer or glistening effect termed “aventurescence”. Aventurine is a form of quartz; platy mineral inclusions in it lend this gemstone its shimmer. It gets its name from an Italian word “ventura” meaning “by chance”. This dates back to 18th century when aventurine or goldstone was luckily discovered. Though it was a known fact that goldstone is not same aventurine.
This nature’s gift is green semi-translucent to mostly opaque with mica flecks. It is also found in silvery, yellow, reddish brown, greenish-brown, bluish green and orange. Aventurine’s physical properties vary because it’s a rock. Its hardness is somewhat lower than single-crystal quartz at around 6.5.
All good things are put to plenty of uses. It applies to aventurine as well. It has been used as landscape stone, building stone, aquaria, monuments, candelabra, girandoles, pipes, vases and bowls (sometimes very large); jewelry being one of the most important ones. Necklaces – beaded strings or knotted strings, multi-line garlands, earrings, finger-rings and bracelets… jewelry lovers’ fancies see no bounds. It looks fab in cabochon and bead format. Since it is cut into numerous shapes and the color choices it provides, lets the designers go wild with their imaginations. To add to its usefulness, aventurine is an easy-on-the-pocket stone, yet is extremely attractive. Its claim to fame is the inclusions that appear as sparkles. Here is a tip for aventurine lovers: translucent aventurine often fades in the sun, therefore the aventurine jewelry is better kept in dark places. Goldstone is often used as an imitation for aventurine. All avid aventurine buyers should buy this wonderful gemstone with a discerning eye.
Geographical places which have rich deposits are Brazil, India, China, Japan, Russia, Tanzania, and USA. Extensive beds in mica schist occur in the Russian Ural Mountains. Green aventurine, colored by chrome mica, has been found in the state of Tamil Nadu (India), China, and in Rutland (Vermont).
Aventurine is the anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. It is the star sign for Libra and the planetary stone of Taurus. Like most gemstones, Aventurine too is associated with a chakra. It aids the 4th chakra, the Heart. The Heart Chakra relates to love and emotional well-being, aids in the ability to love and attract those who are also able to love. Blockages of the 4th Chakra can cause indecisiveness, fear and anxiety. Common physical symptoms can include heart and lung ailments. This is why aventurine is called the "Healer of the Heart and the Soul." Because its benefits related to mental stress, heart and lungs and adrenal system, fevers, inflammation, nervous system stress and migraines, eye ailments, blood pressure abnormalities, hypertension and urogenital disorders, aventurine is considered to be an all-round healing stone. Gamblers exploit its healing properties to guard their risks and personally carry it on them as their lucky talisman.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, people specialized in the production of handmade glass in the ‘traditional Venetian style’. In fact, they adopted certain aspects of historical Venetian glass design and combined these to create new elaborate and fanciful shapes that have little in common with the original glasses that inspired them. Their products were particularly popular in Britain, where the public adored anything Venetian. Some goblets feature aventurine – small flat particles of copper dispersed randomly in the glass to create a sparkling effect. The technique of embedding canes of glass was also developed in Murano, in the 16th century and was called ‘filigrana’ (filigree) decoration, because of its similarity to goldsmiths’ work.
Aventurine is certainly a favorite with people with fancy for gemstone jewelry, artifacts, collectibles and healing crystals. Why not when this gemstone brings with it a splendid blend of beauty with power!
