Aventurine is a very sweet inexpensive stone. It's claim to fame is
having inclusions that look like sparkles. If you buy extremely high
quality aventurine (without the inclusions) it looks like emerald.
This form of Cryptocrystaline Quartz contains inclusions of small
crystals that reflect light and give a range of colours - depending on
the nature of the inclusion. Hence aventurine may be green,
greenish-brown, bluish-white, bluish green and orange.
Aventurine has been confused with amazonite and jade. Dark green
Aventurine generally has inclusions (due to green fuchsite mica and
perhaps a bit of pyrite) which creates a speckled appearance. This is an
easy identifying factor often called aventurescence.
If a colour is not stated with the word aventurine, it is usually
assumed to be green.
Translucent Aventurine often fades in the sun.
Where Aventurine is found
Aventurine is found in Brazil, India, Japan, Russia, Tanzania,
and USA.
Aventurine is said to be the "Healer of the heart and soul."
It balances masculine and feminine energies and assists one in making
the "right" decisions.
More Aventurine Lore
There was a custom of assigning various Masculine and Feminine Saints
with a particular gem for use in talismans. The name Andrew (i.e. patron
Saint Andrew) is associated with Aventurine.