Aventurine and the other 'goldstones' are usually copper or chromium crystals embedded in a glass matrix so they're OK. These glasses are usually encased before using them because they tend to burn out otherwise. I haven't seen any lead in the matrix glass so far in the samples I have looked at so they are OK.
Robert
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Robert Simmons
(Former) Director for Bead Donations
Beads of Courage, Inc.
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