What on Earth Is Green Aventurine?

Green Aventurine is a shimmering green quartz that glitters with tiny mica flakes, and in crystal lore it is the classic stone of luck and prosperity. It is a favourite for aventurine beads, cabochons and tumbled stones. Aventurine comes in several colours, depending on the mineral inclusions in the stone, but green is the most common.

The Physical Properties of Green Aventurine

Green Aventurine is a translucent (sometimes nearly opaque) variety of Quartz known for its visible flake-shaped inclusions and glistening appearance. These inclusions are tiny Fuschite particles (a green type of the mineral Mica) which give the stone its distinct pale to medium green hue.

The inclusions also produce Aventurine's shimmering effect (called aventurescence) as they reflect the light that enters the stone. This causes the stone to have a silvery blue or silvery green sheen about it. This eye-catching aventurescence is most remarkable when the stone is tumbled and polished.

Some Aventurines can have a high Fuchsite content. A great number of mineral particles concentrated in one area can create a cleavage in the specimen. Coarser Fuchsite grains can cause the stone to have a pitted appearance. Its greenness can fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight, so it's best to store the stone in a sealed container.

Green Aventurine has a Mohs hardness rating of 6.5 to 7, which is harder than a steel knife blade, so it resists everyday scratches. However, the presence of inclusions in the stone can reduce its hardness. The more mineral inclusions, the lower its hardness becomes.

The History of Green Aventurine

Aventurine's discovery traces back to the 1700s. Its name is a derivative of the Italian word avventura which means ˜by chance,' an allusion to its chance discovery. It is believed that by accident, a Venetial glass maker dropped metal filings into a vat containing melting glass. Once cooled, it resulted in a particularly lustrous glass that had sparkles all throughout. Later on, the natural stone was called ˜Aventurine' due to its semblance to the sparkly glass. Green Aventurine is commercially produced in India.

Many centuries ago, Tibetans used Aventurine to adorn statues. They put the stone in the eyes as a way of increasing the statue's visionary powers with every glimmer of light that goes through it. Sometime in the 19^th century, Aventurine was known as the ˜Stone of the Amazons' as they were believed to be the jewels that Amazon warrior queens used.

The Lore of Green Aventurine

In ancient times, Aventurine was used in rituals to usher luck and abundance. In modern folklore, the practice of putting a Green Aventurine stone in the left pocket when buying a lottery ticket is believed to increase luck. Some would place three stones in a dish and position it in front of a garden gnome to invite luck into their homes.

In Native American cultures, Aventurine has been used in ceremonies involving the wheel of the four directions. In the ritual, the stone shows the spirit guides the pathway to the heart, and every participant holds it to their heart. It is reported to bring a feeling of love to the participants.

In lore, Aventurine is the stone of renewed hope and a calm outlook, and it is a popular gift for new beginnings. It has no effect on health, and it is not a substitute for professional advice.

The Metaphysical Properties of Green Aventurine

Each Aventurine colour has its own traditional meaning.

Green Aventurine is a stone of empowerment. It grants courage, strength, and confidence to face uncertainties and claim new opportunities in life. The stone empowers its user to grow as a person. At some point, embarking in changes in life will be uncomfortable. And using Green Aventurine will help one to have a calm and positive disposition in the midst of transitions.

In lore, it is a stone of patience and good humour. Others believe Green Aventurine opens doors to new adventures and even romance.

In chakra lore, it is associated with the heart chakra and with openness to love.