Lead Content Information

The federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) established strict limits for lead use in consumer products intended for children 12 and under. The latest revision effective on August 14, 2009, reads "any children’s product that contains more than 600 parts per million (ppm) of lead in any part that is accessible will be treated as a banned hazardous substance." Lead has been found to cause many health issues with children which this law is intended to eliminate. This law only affects those making and selling jewelry to children 12 and under. We encourage you to read the information provided about CPSIA Section 101: Children's Products Containing Lead, but if you do not sell products intended for use by children, you really do not have to be concerned about that law at this time.

If you continue to make jewelry for sale to children under 12, and we wonder why any small company or individual would based on the current version of this law, you MUST comply fully with CPSIA, so read it all carefully. Here is a US Product Safety Commission website with guidance for small businesses and crafters. Be prepared to test the products you make and sell, even if the parts are lead free. Most importantly, contact your lawyers and have a long discussion with them first.

In 2008, California passed a law govering the use of lead in all jewelry made and sold within the state. This law is the strickest one in the United States. Their laws define the use of lead within all jewelry sold to adults as well as children. The information provided by the California Toxic Substances Control website is particularly informative on all aspects of their law and and how to comply with it. The good news is that if you comply with their laws, you should be in compliance anywhere else you sell your jewelry to adults within the US.

The tables below summarize the State of California Jewelry Making Classifications that we are using to define our products and that are used to determine compliance with their law. We are in the process of marking all our products using this system so that you may determine your own compliance with their law when you use components purchased from our stores. The California Classification system is very concise and crisp, so you will immediately be able to determine the components you are purchasing are acceptable for use in jewelry sold in California. Please note there are different Material Requirements for Body Jewelry and Jewelry for Children listed within their law that we have not included herein. This table summarizes the Material Requirements for "All Other Jewelry" only. If you make body jewelry, please take a closer look at the requirements in the California documentation.

Suitable for use in all Retail Jewelry

• Stainless or surgical steel; karat gold; sterling silver; platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, or osmium;
  
• Natural or cultured pearls;
  
• Glass, ceramic, or crystal decorative components, including cat’s eye, cubic zirconia, cubic zirconium (CZ), rhinestones, and cloisonné
  
• Gemstones cut and polished for ornamental purposes (excluding aragonite, bayldonite, boleite, cerussite, crocoite, ekanite, linarite, mimetite, phosgenite, samarskite, vanadinite, and wulfenite);
  
• Elastic, fabric, ribbon, rope, or string (unless it contains intentionally added lead and is listed as a class 2 material);
  
• All natural decorative material, including amber, bone, coral, feathers, fur, horn, leather, shell, wood, that is in its natural state and is not treated in a way that adds lead
  
• Adhesive.
  

Suitable for use in all Retail Jewelry

• Electroplated metal:
  
  
  
  • On and before August 30, 2009, a metal alloy <10% lead by weight electroplated with suitable under and finish coats.
    
  • After August 30, 2009, a metal alloy <6% lead by weight electroplated with suitable under and finish coats;
    
  
  
• Unplated metal <1.5% lead not otherwise listed as a class 1 material (examples include Solid Copper and Niobium)
  
• Plastic or rubber, including acrylic, polystyrene, plastic beads and stones, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC):
  
  
  
  • On and before August 30, 2009, <0.06% (600 ppm) lead by weight
    
  • After August 30, 2009, <0.02% (200 ppm) lead by weight; and
    
  
  
• A dye or surface coating containing <0.06% (600 ppm) lead by weight
  

Any portion of jewelry that meets both of the following criteria is suitable for use in all Retail Jewelry:

• Not a class 1 or class 2 material
  
• Contains <0.06% (600 ppm) lead by weight
  

Not suitable for use in retail jewelry in California

• Unknown Items - for example, African Trade Beads and base metal components and findings not tested or certified by manufacturer
  
• Materials with higher lead content than listed in Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3
  

Items marked "N/A" (not applicable) are not designed for inclusion in finished jewelry. For example, beading books, beading tools, bead storage cases or bags have not been evaluated as they are not components of finished jewelry.