Category Archives: Aventurine

    Aventurine Facts

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    Aventurine Facts

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    Aventurine  Properties

    Chemical CompositionThe chemical composition is Silicon Dioxide and the chemical formula is SiO2.
    ColoursPrimary colour is green. Other colours are Peach, brown, gray, blue, greenish-brown, bluish-white, bluish green and orange
    Hardness7 Mohs
    Refractive Index1.55
    Specific Gravity2.65 – 2.66
    LusterDull vitreous
    Solid StateSemi translucent to opaque
    Crystal SystemHexagonal crystal system.
    CleavageNone
    PleochroismNone
    FracturesConchodial
    StreakWhite
    TenacityBrittle
    EnhancementNever enhanced.
    SourceIndia, Brazil, Madagascar, Chile, Russia, Spain, Austria, United States of America, Japan and Tanzania
    PrecautionsGeneral gemstone precautions need to be practiced. Only one special care required that is keep the gemstone away from excessive sunlight else the colour would fade.

    Aventurine Facts and Buying Guide

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    Aventurine Facts and Buying Guide

    by Sheweta Dhanuka

    This is a green coloured gem. This colour occurs due to the presence of chromium impurity in the chemical composition. Peach, brown, gray, blue, greenish-brown, bluish-white, bluish green and orange are few other colour shades of this stone but the primary colour remains green.

    image courtesy : mineralminers.com

    Aventurine gemstone was found long back in 18th century. Its name is derived from the Italian word “avventura” that means by chance. This gemstone was discovered by chance thus, named accordingly. Due to it’s unique healing properties it is also called as comfort stone. Some people associate this gem with ‘Patron Saint Andrew’ thus refer aventurine as Andrew or Andre. It is coupled as anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of the marriage.

    This attractive stone had always been in demand among the gemstone lovers because of its easy availability and fashionable look. With the growing popularity, more and more people want to buy it. For making successful purchase of any gemstone the buyer need to have little familiarity with the stone. Thus, this content fulfills the need of the necessary knowledge. It presents facts and information about this marvelous stone that would also act as buying guide. The content covers all the characteristics of the stone to the best possible extent.

    Aventurine Colour

    This is a green colored gem. This colour occurs due to the presence of chromium impurity in the chemical composition. Peach, brown, gray, blue, greenish-brown, bluish-white, bluish green and orange are few other colour shades of this stone but the primary colour remains green.

    Aventurine Cut

    Being a tough stone it can be easily given any cut. Jewelry designers thus try new innovative styles and shapes of this stone. Some common shapes are oval, round, pear, cabochons etc. Some usual shape is high dome shape used for rings. It is more popular as beads rather than gems. Beads in varied shapes are available in market. The most preferred bead shapes are round, oval and baroque.

    Aventurine Clarity

    It is semi translucent to opaque in nature and contains dull vitreous luster. It would mostly carry few inclusions of shiny mineral viz. mica or hematite due to which it attains the sparkling effect. This effect is termed as ‘aventurescence’, it occurs when light falls on the stone and the inclusions reflects it back creating the sparkle of different colours. Presence of mica in the composition offer silver sparkle and hematite results in reddish or grayish sparkle. These inclusions increase the value of the stone. Absolutely clean stone without any flaws largely resembles the precious stone Emerald but occurs seldom in natural form.

    Carat weight

    This stone occurs in large sizes as rough. After the initial gemstone cutting and polishing many different gemstones are created in different carat weights. When used as ornamental stone, the preferred weight of the stone is between 10-12 ctw. For the jewelry items the carat weight used is between 3-6ctw. The beads are processed in all sizes, from 2mm to 10mm.

    Price

    It is an inexpensive semi precious gemstone as found in abundant quantity in many parts of the world. The price is determined on the basis of colour, carat weight, clarity and origin. Bright green colour and high carat weight increases the price of the stone. In the same way a clear stone is priced more although in this gemstone it is rare to find the stone without any inclusions. Lastly, intense green colored gem from India are of superior quality thus, priced more than the stones obtained from other countries. The common man can easily afford it. The finest quality of Aventurine can be identified as brilliant green colored stone of high carat weight of Indian origin and without any inclusions. In case the inclusions are present and glittering effect is produced in the stone then price of the stone would increase.

    Occurrence

    It is a quartzite that is a form of a rock and not the mineral. This rock is formed when sandstone or sedimentary deposits undergoes high grade metamorphism under high pressure and temperature. Metamorphism is the process in which original material of the deposits alters into compressed rock. It is composed of more than one colour producing mineral and several interlocking macro crystalline quartz grains. It consists of mica and hematite in very less quantity that results in sparking of the stone.

    Aventurine Source

    India is the premium source of this green colored stone. Finest quality of green aventurine is procured from a small town Bellary in Mysore region in south central India. Brazil and Madagascar also produce green colored gemstones. White, orange and gray colored stones are found in Chile, Russia and Spain. Few other countries to produce it are Austria, United States of America, Japan and Tanzania.

    Enhancement and Imitations

    It is never enhanced till date. There are few imitations of the stone sold in the market. Man made glass known as goldstone is often sold as Aventurine imitation. The genuine stone can be identified through its glittering effect. When the true stone is moved slowly, it produces beautiful array of colours giving the sparkling effect while the man made glass containing copper would not produce the sparkle. This stone is sold under many trade names like Indian Jade, Indian Malachite etc. Buyers should never get carried away by such names as these are fake names that carry no value in the gemstone trade market.

    Aventurine Uses

    One of the unusual and primary use of this rock is that it is used as the lapidary material. This stone is also extensively used as ornamental stone carved efficiently into decorative items such as vases, bowls and figurines. Carvings done on a single stone is priced most. It is commonly carved into cameo that is valued in many parts of the world. Jewelry items holding gemstones are made of sterling silver, white gold and 14K or 18K yellow gold. This stone is very well paired with the moonstone and pearls. Bright green gems makes fascinating stud earrings. Drop earrings, chandelier earrings, cluster earrings and post earrings are also gaining recognized day by day. Pendants in cabochons shape are ideal for casual wear.

    It is widely used for the ornaments made from Aventurine beads. Necklace consisting of beads in baroque shape strung in 16-18 inches length with a sterling silver clasp is treasured most by females in the western countries. Similarly, round beads drilled in elastic chord is widely used as bracelets. While making the purchase of any beads buyer should always ensure all the beads should be of same size and should not hold any kind of breaks.

    Precautions

    It rates 7 Mohs on the hardness scale and is relatively a hard stone. As such no specific precautions are required. However, the general gemstone care is vital to be practiced for the longer retention of the stone. One important thing from the precaution point of view is that the translucent variety of this gem requires little extra care. It should never be exposed directly in the sunlight else the colour would fade in due course of time. And also excessive heat or large temperature changes can ruin the colour of the gem.

    Beliefs

    This beautiful gemstone is associated with sleep. It is very well named as comfort stone as it is believed to offer full relaxation and rest while sleeping to its wearer. In ancient time, it was said that the solutions to some of the acute problems could be found in the dreams during the sleep. Today, astrologers suggest to wear this stone in any jewelry item to those people who suffer from sleep related problems like insomnia, nightmares, sleep disorders, scary dreaming, walking in sleep etc. Hence by wearing this gemstone in form of ring or pendant can cure all the tribulations with respect to sleep and provides sound sleep.
    Apart from the sleeping comforts it also helps in the spiritual growth. It is widely used for aura cleansing, cosmic awareness and mental healing. Crystal healers refer this gem as ‘ The Stone of Great Spirituality’ because it aids to clam the troubled soul and offers inner peace. Few people use it for therapies in order relieve anxiety, stress and depression. It helps in curing diseases like migraines, hypertensions, blood pressure, problems related to eyes, lungs and heart.

    Aventurine is an incredible stone as it heals the soul through physical and mental healing. It also heals the heart by offering real happiness and making the wearer look gorgeous & charming. Also it enables the person to become emotionally independent and better decision maker. Thus, in few parts of the world some pioneers in the gem industry refer it is as “Healer of the Heart and the Soul.” Pioneers have well identified the power of this remarkable stone, now it is our turn!!

    Aquamarine as a birthstone

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    Aquamarine as a birthstone

    by Madhubanti Rudra

    Different gemstones have the power to harmonize different planetary influences. Based on the foundation stones of this notion, men have invested plenty of resources in search of the mystic powers of different gemstones corresponding to particular planets. The outcome of one such effort is the studies about birthstones.

    Chased by the fears of unknown, men have always endeavored to crack the mysteries of universe and prevail over the nature. Similarly he never agreed to remain a mere pawn in the hands of destiny. Instead, he always wished to become the master of his own future and curve the path of his own fate. In course of his struggle to overcome the challenges of destiny, thousands of years ago, our ancestors found out how planetary situations and cosmic energies control our lives. They also discovered that, different gemstones have the power to harmonize different planetary influences.

    Based on the foundation stones of this notion, men have invested plenty of resources in search of the mystic powers of different gemstones corresponding to particular planets. The outcome of one such effort is the studies about birthstones. Since long, birthstones have been regarded as important luck enhancers. Birthstones denote the particular gemstone corresponding to a particular calendar month. A person born in a particular month is supposed to wear the birthstone, assigned to that month; it is believed to enhance his luck. The genesis of modern western birthstones can be traced back to the Jewish history. It was believed to be associated with the “Breastplate of Judgement”, presented to Aaron by Moses and in Bibel, the Breastplate has been described as being set with twelve gemstones, each with an engraving of the name of twelve tribes of Israel.

    The order in which the twelve gemstones were used, was later came to indicate the order for the birthstones for particular months. In August 1912 American National Retail Jewellers Association (ANRJA) modified the list of stones, making it more commercially viable. The list gained its final shape in 1952 and acquired the approval of ANRJA, American Gem Society (AGS), NJA(National Jewellers Association) and ASIA(American Stone Importers Association). The list of birthstones established at that point of time continues till date. According to this list, aquamarine is the birthstone of March. The birthstones by the means of their vibratory forces are capable of producing significant effects on our physical and mental well being and that can change our subsequent life entirely. Similarly aquamarine birthstones work out its magic on the lives and minds of the March-borns.

    However, the students of Astrology maintained that the true value of the gems can be explored only in connection with the signs of Zodiac in which the sun or moon rested at one’s time of birth. According to this school, each sign of the Zodiac has a particular planet as its ruler. Now each planet has a particular gemstone that harmonizes the cosmic energy. Thus, one can wear a birthstone according to the sign which the sun or moon was tenants at the time of birth. So far as aquamarine is concerned, it is astrologically associated with the Zodiac signs of Aries (March 22 – April 20), Libra (September 23 – October 23) and Scorpio (October 24 – November 21). Either as a modern birthstone or a birthstone of Zodiac sign aquamarine produces great results on the mental or physical well being of the wearer.

    Through their measured radiation, aquamarine not only increases the psychological power of an individual, it also protects in from the evil effects of the planet by the means of its curative power. Found in the treasure chest of mermaid it has always been associated with sea and the lives of the sailors. In the ancient as well as middle ages, sailors always carried aquamarine in all their voyages to get protection from the perils of sea. It also works wonderfully against any kinds of seasickness. All over the world, this beautiful gemstone has been beloved by the women as it symbolized love, loyalty and honesty. It is believed to have the splendid power of kindling love in the lives of married couples. It also reawakens love in the lives of long married couples. Aquamarine is the anniversary gemstone of 16th and 19th years of marriage.

    Aquamarine also has splendid healing abilities. It was long believed that aquamarine soaked in water has excellent therapeutic values for eye troubles. In addition to that it also has curative power with respect to the respiratory diseases and nerve pain. The pale azure of aquamarine brings mental peace and harmony. It endorses the wearer with courage and strengthens his will. For many people aquamarine is an excellent stone for meditation. In addition to all these, aquamarine works against nerve pain, glandular problems, toothache and disorders of the neck, jaw and throat. It strengthens liver and kidneys.

    Aquamarine, a blue gem of important beryl family has achieved extensive popularity as birthstone and heeling aids worldwide. For a March-born Piscean or a Scorpion, wearing an aquamarine can create magic. However in order to enhance the charm of luck, one may wear aquamarine as rings, necklaces or earrings or even as bracelets. The jewellery should be fashioned in such a way that light must pass through the stone to the body. That is why the piece should be mounted and open-backed so that it comes into physical contact with the skin.