Amazonite (天河石): Meaning, Chinese Name & How to Wear It
天河石 · The lake-green “stone of courage” — a symbol of letting go and starting fresh
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🇹🇼 Amazonite in Chinese
- Traditional
- 天河石
- Simplified
- 天河石
- Pinyin
- tiān hé shí
- Literally
- “Milky Way stone”
天河 is the Chinese name for the Milky Way — literally “sky river”. The Chinese name refers to the colour and has nothing to do with the Amazon river that the English name comes from, so the two names describe completely different images.
See all 22 → Crystal names in Chinese
✨ Meaning & symbolism
Amazonite's blue-green colour reads like tropical lake water, and in crystal-lore it's known as the “stone of courage” or “stone of luck” — carrying the idea of breaking old patterns and reaching for new opportunities. It's often suggested for anyone hoping to drop a bad habit, switch careers or make a fresh start, and it even picks up a playful reputation as a light-hearted good-luck charm.
📖 Origin & cultural background
Amazonite is a microcline feldspar, and its name comes from the Amazon River. The main sources today are Peru, Mozambique and Colorado in the United States — and amazonite beads were even found among the burial jewels of Tutankhamun.
🤲 Which hand do you wear Amazonite on?
By folk custom it's usually worn on the left wrist, a symbol of welcoming a new beginning.
🧼 Cleansing & care
At 6–6.5 on the hardness scale, avoid knocks and don't leave it soaking in water for long. Wipe it clean with a soft cloth.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of amazonite?
In folk symbolism, amazonite stands for courage, letting go of the past and the good fortune of a fresh start. Gemstones have no scientifically proven effects — amazonite is valued for what it represents, which makes it a fitting little keepsake to carry through a season of change.
When is a good time to wear amazonite?
By cultural symbolism, people like it for “new beginning” moments — changing jobs, moving home, breaking an old habit or kicking off a new plan. That's a matter of meaning and intention rather than any proven effect.
Which wrist should I wear amazonite on?
Folk custom favours the left wrist.
⚠️ Crystals are natural mineral jewellery. This page shares folklore and stone knowledge; crystals have no scientifically or medically proven effects and are not a substitute for medical care. What we value is their meaning, companionship and sense of ritual.