Aventurescence: Light-Reflecting Inclusions That Produce a Bright Flash
![]() |
Aventurescence: Light-Reflecting Inclusions That Produce a Bright Flash. Sunstone from Oregon |
The aventurescent effect is a sparkling or glittering effect caused by the reflection of light from tiny disc-like inclusions, typically composed of mica, copper or hematite.
In aventurine quartz chrome-bearing fuchsite produces a green stone, and various iron oxides produces a red stone.
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).
![]() |
Oregon sunstone is unique for its copper content. |