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The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Stones - History, Myths and Lore /  Amethyst /  Aquamarine /  Aragonite /  Aventurine /  Black Tourmaline /  Bloodstone /  Carnelian /  Celestite /  Citrine /  Fluorite /  Hematite /  Labradorite /  Lapis Lazuli /  Malachite /  Moonstone /  Pyrite /  Quartz (Rock Crystal) /  Rose Quartz /Selenite /  Seraphinite  / Smoky Quartz /  Sodalite

Aventurine

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

Green Aventurine is a soft green semi-translucent to mostly opaque Quartzite (a rock, not a mineral) with inclusions of shimmering Fuchsite Mica.  It's name derives from the Italian phrase "per aventura" meaning "by chance," and is said to have been the only stone that was made by man before its natural counterpart was discovered.  This comes from the 18th century tale that tells of an accidental discovery by an Italian glass-maker who unwittingly let some copper filings fall into the molten glass.  This was later dubbed Aventurine Glass or Goldstone, something similar in looks but totally different in character from natural Aventurine.  And although it was known first, Goldstone is now a common imitation of Aventurine and Sunstone.  (You can distinguish Goldstone from the two natural stones by its coarse platelets of Copper that are dispersed within the glass in a more unnaturally uniform way). 

Natural Green Aventurine is made when other minerals form in the Quartzite during high grade metamorphism, which is dependent on what impurities were present in the original Quartz-rich sedimentary deposit.  These impurities commonly alter to Mica during the high grade metamorphism.  When Chromium is present, then the green-colored Muscovite Mica variety called Fuchsite can occur disseminated throughout the Quartzite in parallel orientation.  This gives Aventurine its green color and sparkled effect. 

Aventurine can be found in other colors than its more common color of green.  It may also be orange, blue, gray, yellow or brown.  The yellows, oranges and browns are attributed to hematite or goethite inclusions. 

General Information: 

*Chemistry:   SiO2, Green Aventurine Quartz colored by Fuchsite Mica, K(Al,Cr2A1Si3O10(OH)2 

*Class:  Tectosilicates. 

*Group:  Quartz. 

*Color:  Green, various shades from light to dark. 

*Luster:  Dull vitreous. 

*Crystal System:  Hexagonal-R; 32 (trigonal-trapezoheldral). 

*Crystal Habit:  Massive aggregate of interlocking Quartz grains. 

*Cleavage:  Absent. 

*Fracture:  Conchoidal. 

*Hardness:  7 

*Specific Gravity:  2.64 - 2.69 

*Streak:  White 

*Other Characteristics:  Piezoelectric. 

*Notable Occurrences:   Tamil Nadu (formerly Madras), India; Chile; Spain, Russia; China; Rutland, Vermont. 

*Best Field Indicators:  Crystal habit, color and hardness. 

*Uses: Gemstone; Ornamental; Building material. 

Myths and Lore: 

While references in mythology to Aventurine specifically are scarce, Quartz, because of its abundance of worldwide sources, occurs often in ancient myths.  For instance, Persian folk lore maintains that placing a quartz stone on a baby will ensure intake of mother's milk.  

Australian tribes use quartz crystals in rainmaking ceremonies. Native American cultures used quartz for arrowheads, knives, divining stones and ornaments.  Some West African tribes created ceremonial seats from a single piece of quartz.  Finally, early inhabitants of what is now Britain used quartz for their curative powers to purify water and cure sterility. 

Around 2.5 million years ago in the Omo valley of Ethiopia, some of the earliest primitive stone tools such as axes were made of Quartzites -- Aventurine found among them.  These materials were used because of their hardness and their isotropic brittleness which made it possible to shape the tools with relative ease. 

Aventurine has been used for many centuries in the making of jewelry, vases and bowls, and other ornamental pieces.  A very unique ancient vase made of bright Aventurine is displayed in the Hermitage Art Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. 

Sometimes called "Indian Jade" or the "stone of heaven," Green Aventurine is like the "good luck shamrock of the mineral kingdom".  It is known as the "gambler's stone" because it is the luckiest of all stones in games of chance.  It is often placed in charm bags to bring good fortune and money.  Aventurine can also be used to induce psychic dreams, to bring answers or to see into the future; it increases clairvoyance.  It is a good source of Earth energy; hold it in the opposite hand from your pendulum when divining.  Leave it as a gift for Nature Spirits. 

Green Aventurine is an alternate birthstone for the month of August, and is also the anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of marriage. 

Metaphysical Properties: 

Astrological Sign: Aries. 

Heart Chakra. 

Element: Earth. 

Heals and purifies. 

Luck and opportunity. 

Abundance. 

Confidence. 

Leadership. 

Insight. 

Enhances creativity. 

Calms and soothes. 

Harmonizes. 

Balances male/female energies. 

*Gives physical aid in treating:  Calms anxiety and panic attacks.  Regulates heart rhythms. Calms one's emotions.  Is said to have been used successfully in psychotherapy, treating disorders of the lungs and heart, and to help increase muscle flexibility. 

*NOTE: Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and procedures, and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. 

My own thoughts and experiences: 

Many people confuse the name Aventurine by calling it "ADventurine".  And it was only after personally working with the stone for awhile that I happened upon a humorous little discovery..(interestingly enough, something Aventurine is known to do -- bring new discoveries).  What I found made me suddenly no longer feel the need to mentally correct the misnomer, because it was through Aventurine that I began to realize that these people were not that far off in describing one of the main qualities of the stone itself!  For in that simple blunder, you can find the heart of Aventurine.

Aventurine IS adventurous, and makes you pay tributary attention to the adventures in life's journey instead of allowing total focus on merely the destinations. 

Aventurine is a heart and healing stone.  And in that, it is a stone of abundance, love, and creativity.  It brings you face-to-face with what is relevant, which in turn makes your decision-making easier. 

This is a great stone for Librans!...not because a Libran has trouble making decisions..(that, it should be known, is a misconception).. but rather because Librans often tend to weigh situations more carefully and deliberately than most others, looking at all sides of an issue and making every effort to remain fair in their judgements.  Aventurine will facilitate the "weigh in"...speed the process while keeping its integrity...and allow you to move ahead confidently and with grace. 

Aventurine says, "Unbuckle your seatbelt and enjoy the ride."  Good thing it's also a protection stone for traveling. ;)

End.

Sources: 

"Stones Alive" ~ Marilyn & Tohmas Twintreess 

"The Crystal Bible" ~ Judy Hall 

"The Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals ~ Cassandra Eason 

http://www.mineralminers.com/html/avgminfo.htm - hist 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aventurine 

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/A/AV/AVENTURINE.htm 

http://www.all-that-gifts.com/se/aventurine.html 

http://www.jewelrysupplier.com/2_aventurine/aventurine_mythology.htm 

© 2006 Patricia J. Martin 

website: http://www.peacefulpaths.com/