Aventurine and jade are two green colored gemstones that may confuse some people. Aventurine is a variety of quartz which contains small Mica, Hematite or Goethite. Jade is the gemstone name given for two different minerals Nephrite and Jadeite. This is the key difference between Aventurine and Jade. Sometimes, aventurine is also known as Indian jade or Australian jade, but it is not considered as a form of jade.
What is Aventurine?
Aventurine is a form of Quartz / Chalcedony, which contains small included flakes or scales that give it a shiny effect. Aventurines are usually green in color, but, they can also be found in colors like gray, blue, orange, yellow and brown. The green colored aventurines get their color from Fuschite, a chromium-rich variety of Mucovite. This green can range from a light green to a dark green. The brown and orange colors are attributed to hematite or goethite.
The shimmering or glittering effect of Aventurine is known as aventurescence. The intensity of this effect depends on the size and density of the inclusions. These inclusions are often Muscovite mica, Hematite or Goethite.
Aventurine is used as a minor stone for jewelry. They are fashioned into cabochons or beads and used for necklaces and bracelets. Aventurines are commonly found in India, Brazil, Austria, Russia and Tanzania.
What is Jade?
Jade is an ornamental stone. This stone is usually green in color; the color can vary from light green to dark green. Deeper green colors are valuable. Jade is the gemstone name given for two different mineral forms, Nephrite and Jadeite. Since both these minerals have similar appearance and properties, no distinction was made between the two different types of Jade until modern times.
Nephrite is generally green, cream or white in color. It is composed of extremely dense mineral fibers that are interlocked and very tough. It is softer and more prone to scratches than Jadeite. Nephrite is also the more common of the two. Nephrite jade comes from China, Brazil, Russia, and the United States.
Jadeite is the rarer of the two and comes from Burma, Tibet, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Guatemala. Jadeite is not as dense as Nephrite and is more prone to chipping.
Jade has been an important gemstone in the past, especially in the Chinese culture. Jade is often used in jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. It is also used in ornamental figurines, especially Buddha statues, and animals.
Antique, handmade Chinese jadeite jade buttons.
What is the difference between Aventurine and Jade?
Composition:
Aventurine is a form of quartz.
Jade is a gemstone name for two minerals: Nephrite and Jadeite.
Aventurescence effect:
Aventurine has the aventurescence effect.
Jade does not have the aventurescence effect.
Value:
Aventurine is less valuable than jade.
Jade is more valuable than aventurine.
Image Courtesy:
“Green Aventurine Necklace” By Deomar Pandan, Kamayo Jewelry.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Chinese jadeite buttons” By Gregory Phillips (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia