Quartz (macrocrystalline) with platy mineral inclusions
Green Aventurine
The glitter, called aventurescence, comes from inclusions rather than the quartz itself: thousands of tiny flat plates of mica lie scattered through the stone, and each one reflects light like a small mirror. The green body colour comes from a chromium-bearing mica variety.
- Mineral family
Quartz (macrocrystalline) with platy mineral inclusions
- Typical colours
Mid green, mottled, with paler and darker patches
- Hardness (Mohs)
7
- Luster
Vitreous with a scattered metallic glitter
- Texture
Solid and slightly granular in appearance, its green broken by fine flecks that spark as the stone moves.
Caring for it
Robust enough for regular wear. Wash in cool soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and steam cleaning, which can loosen surface inclusions and leave pits in the polish.