Aventurescence

In gemology, aventurescence (sometimes called aventurization) is an optical reflectance effect seen in certain gems. The effect amounts to a metallic glitter, arising from minute, preferentially oriented mineral platelets within the material. These platelets are so numerous that they also influence the material's body colour. In aventurine quartz chrome-bearing fuchsite produces a green stone, and various iron oxides produce a red stone.

Goldstone showing aventurescence

The words aventurine and aventurescence derive from the Italian "a ventura", meaning "by chance". This is an allusion to the chance discovery of aventurine glass or goldstone at some point in the 18th century. Goldstone is still manufactured today as an artificial imitation of later discoveries aventurine quartz and aventurine feldspar (sunstone).

See also
  • Adularescence – Milky luster or iridescence originating from below the surface of gemstones
  • Labradorescence – Mineral: intermediate member of a solid solution series (50 to 70 % anorthite and albite)
  • Optical phenomena – Observable events that result from the interaction of light and matter
  • Rainbow lattice sunstone – Australian feldspar with geometric inclusions

References
  • Webster, R. (2000). Gems: Their sources, descriptions and identification (5th ed.), p 231. Great Britain: Butterworth-Heinemann.


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