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November 8
Black gemstone displaying aventurescence
Is there any pure black and opaque gemstone, mineral, rock, or something like that, displaying aventurescence? I have a rock I picked up from a hobby shop on a road trip once that looks almost like a tiny pebble of jet, except not quite as shiny, and with a strong sparkliness to it. Does that sound like any real kind of stone that exists, or is this just some hobby shop’s way of ripping off amateur geologists with some glitter glue and a backyard rock? Cheers, 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯 (𝔱𝔞𝔩𝔨) (any/all) 03:04, 8 November 2026 (UTC)
- A cursory web enquiry suggests Black sunstone – "a plagioclase feldspar variety that ranges from a dark gunmetal gray to a true, deep black", and a 'quartz/graphinite' called Black aventurine – "while green aventurine is the most famous, quartz can form in dark gray and pure black varieties." Searching those on specialist minerology sites might yield results.
- I can imagine Black opal, which has quite a variety of patterns, approaching an appearance of aventurescence, though I have never seen any. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} ~2026-56420-06 (talk) 03:28, 8 November 2026 (UTC)
- Goldstone, while aventurescent, is not a true gemstone but can pass as such. Since it can be made in basically any colour, one can make black goldstone gems, like one depicted here – actually a very dark blue. ‑‑Lambiam 11:47, 8 November 2026 (UTC)
- Mohs scale can be informative if you willing to scratch things with other things. Sean.hoyland (talk) 12:57, 8 November 2026 (UTC)