What's That Rock?Aventurine
Quartz filled with tiny flakes of mica that make it glitter. Green is the best-known color.
How to identify Aventurine
- Fine shimmering flakes seen when the stone is turned
- Translucent to opaque
- Hard: scratches glass
Often confused with
- Aventurine glassgoldstone
- Jade
- Green quartzite
Real or fake?
- Glass versions have a very even, bright glitter and may show bubbles
Is Aventurine valuable?
Inexpensive.
Typical retail prices
Tumbled stone$1–3each
Rough$6–25per pound
Polished piece$5–30each
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color and shimmer: an even green with strong sparkle costs more
- Look-alikes: glass 'goldstone' is sold as aventurine, check the sparkle pattern
- It is plentiful, so beads, spheres and tumbles are inexpensive
- Carving quality and size drive the price of large pieces
Uses
- Beads, carvings, tumbled stones
Care
Safe to wash.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026