Aventurine is a precious gemstone that derived its name from the Italian “a ventura” meaning “by chance”. Aventurine is some form of quartz that forms when subjected to heat and pressure. This melts and solidifies with other minerals as inclusion. Inclusion of the aventurine is hematite, fuschite mica and pyrite. This is the reason why the color is formed, and its color can vary from light to dark. You can also see some small sparkles of gold created by hematite or mica particles. 

Aventurine is often confused as jade, sunstone and amazonite. This comes in colors green, red, blue, peach and brown. This can be found in a rock-like formation such as those in Brazil, China, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Tanzania, Tibet and USA. In the Mohs scale of hardness, it is 6.5. This precious gemstone can also be made into lovely beads and jewelry. The gemstone can also be carved, and has been used in statuary and mosaics such as candelabra, vases and other ornamental objects. 

Myths and Lore

References for aventurine mythology are limited. However, there is abundance for worldwide sources of ancient myths for quartz. For instance, the Persians believed that letting a baby hold a quartz stone will ensure he ingests his mother’s milk.
 
Australian tribes made use of quartz crystals for rainmaking ceremonies. Native Americans used these for weapons, ornaments and divining stones. Few tribes in West Africa created ceremonial seats using quartz. And British early inhabitants used these to purify water and heal sterility.
 
Millions of years ago in Ethiopia, some primitive stone tools used Aventurine like axes. These were used because of its hardness and brittleness making easy the shaping of the tools. This was also used as jewelry and other ornamental pieces. An ancient vase made of aventurine is now exhibited in the Hermitage Art Museum in Russia. This is also used in psychic dreams to bring answers to questions and foretell the future.