Chapter 3: Aventurine a member of the Quartz Family

The cool feel of quartz, so smooth and beautiful emitting a sense of calm no matter what color it happens to be. Today we will take a look at aventurine, which is part of the quartz family.

Aventurine is the Star Sign for Libra and the Planetary stone of Taurus.

Aventurine is a translucent to opaque variety of microcrystalline quartz. It contains small inclusions of shiny minerals which give the stone a sparkling effect known as aventurescence. Inclusions of mica will give a silverish sheen, while inclusions of hematite give a reddish or grayish sparkle.

Aventurine ranges in color from green, peach, brown, blue and a creamy green. Besides its uses in jewelry, aventurine is also used for ornamental purposes like vases, bowls, and figurines.

Aventurine is found in India, Chile, Spain, Russia, Brazil, Austria, and Tanzania. It is a 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This mineral is often mistaken for amazonite or jade.

It is interesting that the name for the stone is derived from an accident. Sometime during the 18th century, Venetian glass workers were preparing molten glass when copper filings accidentally fell into the batch producing a glass with sparkles. The name aventurine comes from the Italian "a ventura," which means"by chance".

Deposits are found in Brazil, India, Austria, Russia, and Tanzania.

Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:

Aventurine has been used as a lucky talisman and is a popular stone for gamblers.

Legends say that it is an all-purpose healer, used to reduce stress, develop confidence, imagination and improve prosperity. A legend from ancient Tibet says that aventurine was used to improve nearsightedness and to increase the wearer's creativity.

Many believe that aventurine has the capacity to calm a troubled spirit and bring about inner peace.

The gem varieties of quartz have been used as gemstones and other ornamental objects for thousands of years. Green aventurine quartz is a popular lapidary material today, showing an atractive natural green color when polished or when wet. In the past, green aventurine quartz has been miscalled Indian jade although the specific gravity and refractive index can readily identify aventurine quartz from jade.

Some of the earliest primitive stone tools (axes) fashioned by man's ancestors 2.5 million years ago in the Omo valley in Ethiopia, were made of quartz varieties such as quartzite. These materials were used because of their hardness and their isotropic brittleness which made it possible to shape the tools with relative ease.

Quartzite is also used as a building material.

The name quartz comes from a Saxon word meaning cross vein ore. The astrological sign of green aventurine quartz is aries.
Green aventurine quartz is an alternate birthstone for the month of August.

Source: Bernadine Fine Art jewelry and mineralminers.com

It's no wonder the set that features the stone has a name that evokes thoughts of calm and escape to paradise. The Mandalay set looks lovely and can go from casual to evening making your outfit look wonderful.

The pleasing green and the oh so in purple compliment each other so well. This set is sure to put you in a calming mood ready for anything.

With the rich colors of the Holiday season coming in this set is sure to add brilliance to any outfit you can think of.

The earrings are light and airy. They won't weight down the earlobe which is great when considering a chunky earring. They also have the beautiful artisan quality to them which is always a source of comment and compliment when worn.

The ring called Margarita is great for that right hand and adds a splash of color in a sea of clear stone right handed rings.

The Mandlay bracelet is completley adjustable. Giving you versatlity and a customized look.

Dare to stand out, look confident, destress with this aventurine. Come bling with me. Ask me how you can purchase these peices for just $12 each. Your jewerly is waiting for you!