RocksdayAmazonite vs Aventurine
How to tell them apart
A blue-green variety of microcline feldspar, often with white streaks and blocky cleavage.
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 2.0 br
Quartz sparkling with tiny reflective mica flakes, most often green from chromium-rich fuchsite.
Photo: Doobuzz at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key differences
- Green aventurine glitters and has no cleavage.
- Amazonite is blue-green with white streaks and flat cleavage faces.
Side by side
| Property | Amazonite | Aventurine |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 6–6.5 | 6.5–7 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Colors | Green, Blue, White | Green, Blue, Orange |
| Crystal system | Triclinic | Granular quartz |
| Specific gravity | 2.56–2.58 | 2.64–2.69 |
| Formula | KAlSi₃O₈ | SiO₂ + mica inclusions |
| Found in | Pikes Peak, Colorado; Ilmen Mountains, Russia | India; Brazil |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify amazonite
- Turquoise to mint green with fine white streaks or grid patterns.
- Flat, shiny cleavage faces at right angles.
- Hardness about 6 — scratches glass slightly.
Crystal system: Triclinic
Full Amazonite guide →How to identify aventurine
- Even green body with a fine glittery sparkle.
- Granular, sugary texture in rough pieces.
- Hard — scratches glass.
Crystal system: Granular quartz
Full Aventurine guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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