Aventurine, also known as aventurine quartz, is a type of quartz characterised by minute, 'platy' inclusions.
'Platy' is a term used to describe tiny inclusions of other minerals often shaped like a plate.
The most common colour of aventurine, which is green, comes from inclusions of fuchsite, mica or hematite.
It can also be found in pink, blue, yellow, orange and several other colours.
Blue and green aventurine come mainly from India. Other colours are found in Spain, Chile and Russia.
The sparkly appearance that can be seen in some aventurine is known as aventurescence. This optical effect is caused by the reflection of light off minute inclusions.
Aventurine is believed to have been named after the man-made material known as goldstone.
AQUAMARINE
