Aventurine is a variety of translucent quartz or quartzite with abundant small plate- or flake-shaped inclusions. Light entering the quartz strikes these inclusions and reflects from them. This produces a sparkly appearance known as “aventurescence.” The inclusions can also impart a distinct, and often beautiful, color to the material.
When the inclusions are abundant and in a common orientation, their reflections can be eye-catching. This property, along with desirable colors, is what gives aventurine its appeal as a gemstone. Aventurine is most often green but also occurs in orange, yellow, red, pink, brown, white, gray, and blue.
Characteristics of Aventurine
- Hardness: 6.5 – 7
- Transparency: Translucent to nearly opaque.
- Chemical composition: SiO2
- Crystal system: hexagonal
Meaning of Aventurine
The name ‘Aventurine’ comes from the beautiful shimmering finish of this stone. Its name relates to the word aventurescence, which refers to the “glittery” effect of tiny particles of highly reflective mineral contained in a less reflective whole.
The spiritual meaning of Aventurine is that of the ‘heart healer’. It is linked to Anahata, the Heart Chakra, the activator of love, appreciation, and inner harmony.
Connected to the middle chakra, it acts as a reminder of the harmony we need between the lower three chakras connected Mother Earth, and higher three chakras connected to the spirit world, in order for us to feel ultimate balance during our soul experience on earth.
The Heart Chakra, green on the outside and pink on the inside, is a perfect metaphor to understand the energy of aventurine. The green acting as the outer shield protecting the soft, pink heart, our inner vulnerabilities.
This comforting and secure energy gives us the confidence to move forward in life. To take risks, knowing that our heart will always be protected and safe.
The subconscious mind or our ego has its place to protect us. But at the same time it signals feelings of fear and doubt in our minds, distracting us from when our heart speaks to us softly.
Through learning to listen to the inner voice within, and beginning to trust our intuition, one can begin to bring back alignment and develop a true mind-heart connection.
This state of Heart Intelligence, allowing for a continual harmonious dialogue to occur between the mind and heart, or as I like to call it – the ‘perfect inner chemistry’ – will bring you into a state of flow and allowing you to always maintain feelings of inner peace. Despite these internal mind-heart polarities.
This awareness of these sometimes conflicting connections, is enough to initiate states of permanent emotional balance and calm. The power lies in the awareness. Green Aventurine’s energy allows us to connect with that inner state of joy and synchronize with nature’s soothing rhythm.
This allows us to be truly present, utterly embracing each moment without anxiety, fear, doubt or stress. This is the true beauty of life, the NOW.
History of Aventurine
Aventurine has a long and rich history in the ancient world. Mainly in Asia, but also to some extent in Europe and the Americas.
In ancient Tibet, it was used to decorate statues, which is where it is most commonly seen in use today.
It was said to improve nearsightedness. And it was placed on statues for this reason: in order to symbolically show the “visionary” powers of the statue.
In Ancient Chinese culture, Aventurine was the sacred stone of Kuan-Yin, the goddess of mercy and compassion.
It has also been associated with various goddesses of fertility, nature, and spring, across multiple cultures. Including the southeast Asian Buddhists, the Greeks, and the Celts, because of its green coloration.
Birthstone
Aventurine is a natural birthstone for people born between April 20 and May 20. Being associated with Venus, which is the ruling planet of Taurus, Aventurine is also the birthstone of Taurus.
With its pleasant green color, Aventurine is believed to bring good health, success, and rejuvenation.
People born under the sign of Taurus are naturally inclined to accumulate wealth, thus Aventurine is perfect for them.
After all, Green Aventurine can’t help but evoke thoughts and feelings about making money.
The color alone is a dead ringer for those all-important dollar bills that Taurus people love so much. And by the very nature of this being a gemstone, it also carries a luxurious connotation that Taurus people so love.
To a Taurus person, money is never accumulated for its own sake. But rather as a means by which to try and secure comfort and some well-deserved downtime for themselves and their loved ones.
Taurus is also a star sign of the Earth element. And it makes total sense why rich greens as seen in aventurine would prove soothing and inspiring to them.
To onlookers, Taurus people seem to just grind to a halt every so often. But this is an unfair view on them – they just need to stop and recharge.
They do this by spending time in nature. And a decent piece of Aventurine can be just as rejuvenating to them as having a meadow in their pocket!
There’s a lightness to both the weight and the overall feel of Aventurine that well suits the Taurus persona.
These are people who don’t believe in worrying for its own sake. And they love an easy life – although not necessarily a life free of hard work, because of that.
Aventurine can help relieve stress and mental and emotional pressure. In that sense, it’s a great stone for anyone trying hard to pursue their goals. Aventurine is a great, easily-accessible stone for Taurus energy.
It enhances relaxation, regeneration, and recovery, which are all basic tenets of the Taurean desire to indulge in creature comforts.
Taurus energy is known for being patient, understanding, and slow to anger. It works well with this theme because it gives patience instead of annoyance.
People who are born under the zodiac sign Taurus are strong-willed, and Aventurine encourages expansion and adventure. Remember: it’s the gambler’s stone!
It’s great for reflection and enhancing cheerfulness and good humor, which can benefit any stubborn bull. It can enhance willpower, enhances creativity, and keeps negative emotions under control.
If you find yourself being indecisive with your actions, Aventurine can instill some definite sense of purpose in them.
This stone’s ability to drive away your anxieties and fears is what makes it so perfect for the Taurus.
Aventurine is a lucky stone for idealists. The energies of this stone arouse one’s motivation to become a better person with integrity and higher morals.
Aventurine is also an all-purpose healer. Use it to reduce stress, develop confidence, and increase prosperity.
Meditating with a piece of Aventurine or carrying a piece of it on you will raise awareness to the values of spirituality and idealism.
It will open your eyes to appreciate the true beauty of a person with a good character. One who knows how to give rather than to take.
If you find it challenging to make decisions and to carry them through to the end, you will find Aventurine very helpful.
Source of Aventurine
Aventurine comes from places that have high natural energy. It is mined in the kaleidoscope color lands of India, the humid depths of the wild and unbridled Amazon jungle, the corners of Russia, and the lush green mountains of Brazil and Chile. It’s a form of quartz that often comes to us in a dark green color flecked with suggestions of gold.
Care Instruction
Like all energy collecting and healing crystals, Aventurine loves to be cleansed and recharged so its always ready for action. As a quartz crystal with a seven on the Moh’s scale of hardness, it doesn’t take a lot to keep Aventurine ticking over, simply wash with a little warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth. By cleansing Aventurine you are able to wash away any toxic blocks it has collected along the way, and this commitment to keeping the stone clean also means that it stays at the pinnacle of its power game. Charging your Aventurine back up depends on the color. Green Aventurine loves to be placed close to plants and foliage for a natural burst of energy. Blue Aventurine enjoys sitting in a slant of sunlight for a while, and Red Aventurine can be passed through the flame of a red candle quickly.