Aventurine Beads

Aventurine beads are made from a stone composed of combined quartz, mica, and other crystals. The sparkle and low cost of aventurine makes it a fine member of your jewelry supplies. It is a rather abundant mineral which contributes to keeping its cost low. Significant sources are Brazil, India, Russia, United States, Japan, and Tanzania.

The astrological sign of blue aventurine is Leo. The astrological sign of green aventurine quartz is Aries and Taurus. Aventurine is a birthstone for the month of August and it is the 8th anniversary gemstone in western cultures.

It is translucent to opaque green or blue often with tiny sparkling flecks known as aventurescence. It is sometimes incorrectly called "Indian jade." Dark green high quality aventurine gemstone beads can sometimes be confused with emerald. Red aventurine is not true aventurine, but albite, an aventurine feldspar. However, it shares the aventurescence that make aventurine so appealing in jewelry making. Both green and red aventurine are popular in jewelry supplies, as they offer both low cost and attractive color in a natural gemstone.

Though neither a birthstone nor zodiac stone, aventurine is considered lucky for the astrological signs of Aries, Gemini, Cancer, Virgo, Taurus and Libra.

common treatments: none, occasionally dyed

special care: avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, as the color may fade (in the case of dyed beads, minimize color bleed by rinsing well in warm water - with the risk of color loss)

hardness: 7