noun

aventurine

uh-VEN-chuh-rin

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Aventurine (noun) means a brownish glass containing small gold-coloured flecks. Example: “The jeweller set a piece of aventurine glass into the pendant.”

noun

A brownish glass containing small gold-coloured flecks.

"The jeweller set a piece of aventurine glass into the pendant."

"Aventurine is often shaped into beads for costume jewellery."

"The lamp base was made from sparkling aventurine glass."

technical A translucent form of quartz flecked with tiny scales of mica, used as a gemstone.

"Green aventurine is a popular stone for rings and bracelets."

"The market stall sold polished aventurine alongside other quartz stones."

"Aventurine's sparkle comes from the mica flecks within it."

How to use aventurine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAventurine is a sparkly material, either a flecked glass or a natural quartz gemstone, that catches the light.

When to use it

The word is mostly used in jewellery, gemmology and mineralogy contexts.

Memory tip

Watch the spelling: it is aventurine, not adventurine, even though it sounds like it should relate to 'adventure'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

adventurine (misspelling)

Common pairings

green aventurine aventurine glass polished aventurine aventurine quartz

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “aventurine” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The jeweller set a piece of _____ glass into the pendant.

Etymology

Aventurine came into English from French, which took it from Italian avventurino. That word is related to avventura, meaning chance or adventure, because the glass form is said to have been discovered by accident when metal filings fell into molten glass in Murano.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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goldstone

Rhymes for aventurine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine vine pine thine shine Rhine

See all rhymes for aventurine →

Frequently asked questions

What is aventurine made of?

It can refer either to a glass made with gold-coloured flecks or to a natural quartz flecked with mica.

Is aventurine a real gemstone?

Yes, the quartz form of aventurine is a genuine gemstone used in jewellery, distinct from the glass version of the same name.

Why is it called aventurine?

The name comes from an Italian word for chance or adventure, linked to the story of its accidental discovery in glassmaking.

What is the meaning of aventurine?

"aventurine" (noun) means a brownish glass containing small gold-coloured flecks.