Aventurine is a variation of quartz distinguishable by glimmering inclusions in the stone, often made of other minerals like mica. Green Aventurine is the most common type of this stone, and ranges from light to darker greens in color. 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. The stone bears similar coloration to other stones, like jade and malachite, but is much harder and easier to shape. These 8mm beads are round and smooth.
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.