Aventurine Meaning and Properties
Aventurine History
Aventurine gets its name from the Italian word "avventura"—by chance, risk or luck. Its name is tied to the creation of goldstone, and the name for that manmade material was transferred to the natural material once the gemstone was identified.
We were told that centuries ago, Tibetans decorated their statues with the stone we call aventurine, used most often in the eyes, so each shimmer of light increased the statue's visionary powers. Until the 19th Century, aventurine was called the "stone of the Amazons," as the deposits in Brazil were thought to have supplied the jewels of Amazon warrior queens.
Aventurine has a number of bynames and trade names, including adventurine, adventurine quartz and Indian "jade." Besides being used for beads and jewelry-making, aventurine is also carved into ornamental or décor pieces such as bowls, vases and statuettes. It has occasionally appeared in landscaping and as building material for monuments.
The name Aventurine has been used by Venetian glassmakers, credit card processing companies, video game developers and even private equity firms.
Learn from Dev, our graduate gemologist, who will be joining us to impart valuable insights on designing with and caring for this stone. Plus, stay tuned for a quick and delightful necklace project that you can craft in just minutes using this spectacular gemstone.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Aventurine?
Though there isn't a "d" in the word, aventurine makes wearers think "adventure." Think optimism. Think bountiful. Think practical enthusiasm. This stone is believed to be a positive stone of prosperity, diffusing negative emotions, reinforcing leadership, promoting compassion and encouraging perseverance. It is a stone used to promote open-mindedness and the ability to see alternatives and possibilities, which is why it is considered a lucky stone for gamblers!
Specific colors of aventurine properties are thought to include:
- Blue: promotes mental healing
- Green: eases mental and emotional trauma, dissolving negative thought and bringing calm
- Red: boosts creativity, vitality and sensuality
What Chakra is Aventurine?
Chakras are considered focal points of energy that connect to various physical, emotional and spiritual parts of a person. Each chakra is said to affect specific organs, moods and life situations. Wearing chakra bracelets provides an easy and fashionable way to keep healing stones near you, helping to amplify their energetic effects all day long. Aventurine is linked to the heart chakra. Wearing an aventurine chakra bracelet is believed by some to promote emotional healing, foster open communication and boost the confidence to express truth with kindness.
Heart Chakra (Anahata) - Green
- Location: chest (breastbone)
- Represents: the union of male and female principles; ability to love
- Emotional issues: compassion; trust; forgiveness; compassion; complex emotions; tenderness; equilibrium; love
- Spiritual issues: devotion
- Physical issues: immune system; cardio-vascular system; lungs
- Gemstones: amazonite, aventurine, jade, malachite, peridot, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, rose quartz
What is Aventurine Made From?
This quartz-based gemstone is known for its bright inclusions and glistening or shimmering effect (aventurescence). This effect comes from the presence of chrome-bearing fuchsite, which adds a silvery green or silvery blue sheen to the stone. Red, orange and brown types of aventurine are created when hematite or goethite is present instead of fuchsite. Purple and pink aventurine have lepidolite or sugilite, creating disparate shades of those hues. Black aventurine is thought to be produced by the inclusion of hornblende or goethite, while blue has dumortierite.
Aventurine has been discovered as beads, talismans and tools in archaeological digs as far back as the Omo Valley in Ethiopia (2.5 million years). We've been using aventurine (no matter what we called it) for a very, very long time! Aventurine's superiority for tool-making is due to its hardness and the inherent isotropic brittleness which makes it easy to shape.
Aventurine is found in Europe, India, Chile, Tanzania, Brazil and across northern Asia (including China, Nepal, Tibet and Russia).
- Mineral Information: Tektosilicates, quartz (silica group)
- Chemical Composition: SiO2
- Color: Green (most commonly), gold-brown, blue, red, pink, purple, black
- Hardness: 7 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Refractive Index: 1.544 – 1.563
How Do You Clean Aventurine?
Aventurine can fade with prolonged exposure to the sun, so store gems in a dark place. It also reacts to extreme temperatures, so keep this gemstone off the dash of your car in summer or in winter. Be sure to clean this gemstone in warm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. This gemstone's hardness makes it durable, but it can be sheared, so keep it separate from other gemstones. Keep away from household chemicals.
Aventurine FAQ
Q: Are there synthetic or treated versions of aventurine?
A: Most aventurine is natural and untreated, as natural sparkle is one of the most beloved aventurine properties. Synthetic aventurine, however, has an interesting history. In the 1600s, Venetian glassmakers accidentally created a synthetic version of aventurine when copper filings fell into molten glass, creating a glittery glass, now know as aventurescent glass.
Q: Why is green aventurine called the "Stone of Opportunity"?
A: Green aventurine is known as the "Stone of Opportunity" because it's believed—especially in crystal healing and metaphysical traditions—to attract luck, abundance and success, particularly in new ventures. Its rich green color symbolizes growth, renewal and vitality, much like the energy of spring, reinforcing its reputation as a stone that supports fresh starts, personal development and the courage to pursue new possibilities.
Q: Is aventurine mistaken for jade?
A: Green aventurine is sometimes mistaken for jade, particularly nephrite jade. To tell the difference, look for jade’s more translucent quality, as well as the telltale sparkle of aventurine.
Q: How do you clean aventurine?
A: You can clean aventurine in warm soapy water, using a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the stone.
Designing with Aventurine
Its many metaphysical qualities—as well as its natural beauty—makes aventurine a popular gemstone for jewelry designs. While some artists prefer to use aventurine for rosaries or mala prayer beads, others choose the stone for its color and shimmering glitter.
Green is the most common hue for this stone, which offers a range of design options. Mix with crystals or cultured freshwater pearls for a classic look, with Czech pressed glass for something fresh and springtime, in a blend of multiple colors of aventurine together for goes-everywhere-with-everything style and more.
View more resources featuring aventurine, including Design Ideas, Videos, Tutorials and more!
Shop for Aventurine
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
How did you like this resource? Your feedback helps us provide resources that matter to you most.
Copyright Permissions
All works of authorship (articles, videos, tutorials and other creative works) are from the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Collection, and permission to copy is granted for non-commercial educational purposes only. All other reproduction requires written permission. For more information, please email copyrightpermission@firemtn.com.