Do you ever notice how aventurine and jade appear identical? Well, the reality is that these two green rocks couldn’t be more dissimilar. In this educational Twirl Weddings handbook, I will provide comprehensive insights into aventurine and jade, tackling some commonly asked queries such as:
- Is nephrite jade considered more precious than jadeite jade?
- Does aventurine always come in a green shade?
- Which of these gems carries a higher price tag?
Differences Between Green Aventurine and Jade
Let’s explore the key distinctions between aventurine and jade:
- Aventurine, a type of quartz mineral, and jade, which belongs to a unique mineral group, stand apart from each other.
- Unlike jade, aventurine showcases a wide array of colors, forming a vibrant rainbow palette.
- While green aventurine is readily available in nature, jade is relatively rarer.
- The highest quality jade stones can command steep prices, whereas top-notch green aventurine remains quite affordable.
Two Green Colored Gemstones – Green Aventurine and Jade
Let’s delve into the fascinating world of green aventurine and jade, two captivating minerals found in the Earth’s depths. Although they share a green hue, their unique characteristics set them apart.
Introducing Green Aventurine
Exploring the History of Green Aventurine
Aventurine, a special kind of quartz variation, boasts an intriguing distinction from regular green quartz. It belongs to the quartzite mineral family, which sets it apart in terms of composition and durability. Unlike pure silica-based quartz, aventurine is a metamorphic rock that forms within sandstone, giving it its distinct properties.
Aventurine is commonly associated with the color green, although it can also be found in other hues such as blue and various other shades. Its distinguishing feature is its sparkling appearance, which makes it easily recognizable. Throughout history, aventurine minerals have been utilized in various ways, particularly in ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome. This captivating stone was frequently employed in the construction of buildings, as well as in the creation of art and ornamental pieces.
Moreover, aventurine was believed to possess healing properties. During medieval times, Europeans regarded it as a magical stone, often carrying it as a talisman to attract good fortune and prosperity, particularly in gambling and games of chance.
In China, aventurine was valued for its alleged ability to treat diverse ailments and conditions. It was believed to be beneficial for eye problems and skin disorders.
Even today, aventurine continues to be utilized in decorative items and stones. While it may not be commonly found in high-end jewelry stores, it still holds its place in the realm of jewelry and crystal healing practices.
Where Can You Find Green Aventurine?
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, making it no surprise that green aventurine, a type of quartzite, can be found in various locations worldwide. However, there are specific places where green aventurine is primarily mined, including:
- United States
- Russia
- Brazil
- South Africa
Appearance and Characteristics of Green Aventurine
Green aventurine is typically recognized by its green color, which can range from light to deep shades. Different trade names are used to describe the various shades of green aventurine, such as:
- Light Green
- Mint Green
- Forest Green
- Dark Green
- Olive Green
- Apple Green
The mesmerizing sparkle of aventurine is caused by the presence of muscovite mica, hematite, or goethite. The shimmering effect is often referred to as “aventurescence.”
Gemstones that contain mica also tend to have a glittery appearance, and their rough form may feel grainy or slightly rough to the touch. Lepidolite and fuchsite are other gemstones that share a similar chemical composition with mica.
Unlike transparent quartz varieties like amethyst, aventurine is not a gemstone that allows light to pass through easily. It is typically found in a translucent to opaque form, allowing only minimal light transmission.
Healing Properties and Benefits of Aventurine
You may already be familiar with the ancient traditions of utilizing aventurine for its healing and metaphysical properties. Interestingly, many of these applications and meanings have carried over to the present day and are still utilized in modern crystal healing practices.
Green aventurine is often connected with the Heart chakra. It is believed that placing this stone on your heart can assist in opening up the Heart chakra, allowing love, compassion, and empathy to flow into your being.
Green aventurine is thought to provide several benefits to the user or wearer, including:
- Releasing negative emotions
- Promoting inner peace and tranquility
- Attracting abundance and prosperity (similar to other green gemstones)
- Heightening spiritual intuition
- Enhancing meditation practices
- Boosting the immune system
- Assisting with skin conditions, allergies, and headaches
Price and Value of Green Aventurine
When it comes to pricing, green aventurine is considered an affordable gemstone compared to other precious stones. Smaller fragments of aventurine can be obtained for just a few dollars per carat. However, those who choose to wear aventurine jewelry often opt for larger cabochons, particularly in pendant designs.
For the finest quality aventurine stones, prices can reach up to $50 or even higher. Naturally, large decorative aventurine pieces will command much higher prices than standard green aventurine pendants.
In terms of wearability, green aventurine is known to be suitable for everyday jewelry. It is a relatively hard stone, scoring a 7 on the Mohs scale for scratch resistance. To maintain its appearance, it is recommended to regularly clean the stone using a gentle mixture of mild soap and water, followed by drying with a soft cloth.
About Jade
History of Jade Stones
Jade holds deep cultural significance in Mesoamerica, Central America, and ancient Chinese civilizations.
In Mesoamerica, particularly among the Aztecs and Mayans, jade was highly valued for its ornamental purposes. It adorned their art and played a role in ceremonial rituals, believed to possess qualities of wealth, power, and fertility.
In ancient China, the use of jade dates back to the Neolithic period. The Chinese people also appreciated jade for its carvings and figurines. Traditional Chinese jade carvings often took the form of dragons and mythical creatures. Additionally, religious carvings such as Buddha statues were widely popular.
The Chinese held the belief that jade held the power to harmonize the opposing forces of yin and yang in the world. They utilized jade not only for artistic creations but also for crafting weapons, tools, and even musical instruments.
Where Can You Find Jade Stones?
While jade is commonly associated with Chinese culture, the largest source of jade minerals originates from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. However, due to the recent government takeover in Myanmar, many locations have ceased acquiring jade from the country, similar to Burmese rubies.
Aside from Myanmar and China, jade can be found in various other regions, including:
- Kazakhstan
- Canada
- Guatemala
- Russia
- New Zealand
- United States
- Taiwan
Jade’s Appearance and Characteristics
The term “jade” encompasses two distinct mineral forms: nephrite and jadeite. When people refer to valuable jade, they are usually referring to jadeite jade. On the other hand, nephrite jade is more commonly found and less valuable compared to jadeite jade.
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It is commonly believed that all jade is green, but that is not the case. Jadeite jade is distinguished by its vibrant green shades. However, there are rare instances where jadeite jade can exhibit lavender, blue, and white colors.
Nephrite jade, on the other hand, is also green but with a less vibrant tone. It tends to have a more subdued green hue compared to jadeite jade. Although it lacks the apple green shades seen in jadeite, many people appreciate the olive green colors often found in nephrite jade. Nephrite jade can also be found in white and gray tones.
Both aventurine and nephrite jade belong to the category of translucent to opaque gemstones. Nephrite jade tends to appear more cloudy and opaque in its appearance. The highest quality nephrite can have a semi-translucent quality. In contrast, jadeite jade is renowned for its translucency and can even be transparent in the finest specimens.
Both nephrite and jadeite jade may contain inclusions. These inclusions can take the form of small cracks, fissures, or mineral deposits. Inclusions are a natural occurrence in all stones and can actually add to the visual appeal of jade in decorative items. However, in high-quality jade jewelry, the presence of more noticeable inclusions is generally considered a sign of lower quality.
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Different Types of Jade Stones
Nephrite and jadeite are the two primary types of jade. However, the term “jade” has been used as a trade name for other stones and some stones that actually contain real jade. Here are some popular examples:
- Indian Jade: This trade name is used for aventurine or serpentine found in India. Despite being called Indian Jade, these stones do not contain the minerals nephrite and jadeite.
- Australian Jade: It refers to a yellow-green variety of nephrite found in Australia.
- Imperial Jade: This term is used for the finest quality bright green jadeite.
- Serpentine Jade: It describes a yellow-green type of nephrite that is often used for decorative objects and carvings.
- Siberian Jade: This name is given to dark green jade with black or white speckled inclusions, and it is exclusively found in Russia.
Healing Properties and Benefits of Jade
The ancient beliefs about the healing properties of jade have been carried over to modern crystal healing practices with the same stone. While both nephrite and jadeite jade share some similar properties, each type of jade has its own unique uses.
Nephrite jade is believed to assist the user in:
- Creating a sense of peace
- Calming anxiety
- Opening the heart chakra
- Supporting kidney function and addressing related ailments
- Boosting the immune system
- Maintaining balance in the universe
Jadeite jade, on the other hand, is believed to assist in:
- Bringing light and joy into one’s life
- Releasing negative emotions
- Promoting overall health and functioning of the organs
- Boosting the immune system
- Facilitating spiritual growth and enlightenment
Price and Value of Jade
Jade is highly prized and considered valuable, particularly in Asian countries. The price of top-quality jadeite jade can vary, but it has been known to exceed $10,000 per carat. Similarly, the best quality nephrite jade can fetch prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per carat.
Determining the exact price of jade pieces can be challenging as it depends on factors such as its purpose, size, color, the seller, and the location. The cost of jade can fluctuate based on market demand. Jade carvings and ornamental figurines are typically more expensive due to the craftsmanship involved and their size.
Being a microcrystalline gemstone, jade is suitable for everyday wear. Jade bangles, pendants, and rings have been worn since ancient times. Both nephrite and jadeite jade share a similar rating of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, indicating their resistance to scratches.
It is important to avoid subjecting jade jewelry to extreme temperature changes as this can cause the stone to crack.
Conclusion
Aventurine and jade share a resemblance in their green color, but they have distinct differences in terms of price, value, color variations, and chemical composition.
Aventurine displays a range of colors and is known for its shimmering or glittering effect. The green color comes from muscovite mica inclusions, while brown and orange hues are caused by hematite or goethite inclusions.
Both aventurine and jade are considered durable stones suitable for everyday wear. While they can be opaque, the highest quality jadeite jade can exhibit transparency. Top-quality jade can be quite expensive, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. On the other hand, the best quality green aventurine is typically priced in the low hundreds.
Aventurine, jadeite jade, and nephrite jade all possess good wearability and offer decent resistance to scratches. Regardless of the stone you choose, you can confidently adorn yourself with a remarkable piece of jewelry!
