Aventurine

Aventurine Gemstone Beads from Rings & Things: Aventurine is a form of chalcedony (quartz) that contains small inclusions of various shiny minerals (usually spangles of mica or iron oxide), which give the stone a glistening effect known as aventurescence. Aventurine's granular appearance and particular translucence are its most distinctive characteristics. Most aventurine is naturally green, reddish brown or yellow. The popular bright green shade of aventurine that we all know and love, is generally enhanced to achieve a brighter, more uniform green.

The mineral aventurine is named for its resemblance to the well-known aventurine glass of Venice, Italy. As for how the glass obtained its name, tradition has it that a Murano workman accidentally dropped some copper filings in molten glass, creating an attractive new material. And so the glass was named avventurino for the Italian word avventura, or "by chance."

Aventurine is said to calm a troubled mind, thereby bringing inner peace. It is also supposed to increase confidence and gratitude, and promote emotional tranquility and positive attitudes. Green aventurine is associated with the heart chakra, and red aventuring is associated with the root chakra, or sometimes with the sacral chakra. Aventurine is found in Brazil, China, Japan, Russia, Tanzania and the U.S.A., but India produces the majority.