Aventurine is a variation of quartz distinguishable by glimmering inclusions in the stone, often made of other minerals like mica. It gets its name from the Italian 'a ventura', which translates to 'by chance', as the Italian glassmaking family Miotti created the first artificial Aventurine by accident. These flattened coin shaped beads are 4mm and faceted.
Semi-precious stone beads are mined all over the world and then are usually cut in China. They will often be dyed or color-treated to enhance their appearance. We select the best quality semi-precious that is available, and try to avoid finishes that are not durable. It is best to assume that some semi-precious beads will fade over time.