Customer Product Information Notice - Swarovski Crystals

I wanted to share some information with my customers that I found out recently regarding Swarovski Crystals as it relates to the Cal Prop 65 and my handcrafted jewelry.

Since I found out about this I have been trying to get some clarification on the subject as there seem to be so many various opinions/stories on the lead content in Swarovski Crystals and will update my sheet as I get any other clarification. Most notices also suggest you wash your hands after handling products with lead and obviously to keep them away from children. My jewelry is not intended for children and no jewelry is intended to be put in your mouth. One of the bigger companies I do business with shared the following information with me:

Swarovski is the world leader in the manufacture of crystal for industrial and consumer applications including figurines and jewelry. Our proprietary formulas and processes are based on years of experience, and the quality of our products is recognized throughout the world.

Recently, there has been an increased regulatory focus on potential human exposure to lead from various consumer products, including jewelry. In 2006, the California Attorney General settled a lawsuit brought in his state alleging exposure to lead from jewelry. The court approved settlement agreement as well as the later legislatively enacted Californian AB 1681 established limits for lead in metals and several other components, with stricter standards for jewelry intended for children 6 and younger. Significantly, in recognition of the limited risk of availability of lead from crystal, the settlement agreement standards as incorporated under California AB 1681 allows the continued use of crystal without limitation in jewelry not intended for children. For children 6 or younger, up to 1 gram of crystal may be used in such jewelry.

Swarovski crystals also meet the ASTM F963-03 standard on lead availability for toys.

Crystal has unique properties. While made with lead, the crystal manufacturing process creates a matrix which greatly retards the mobility of lead. By contrast, lead in other materials such as unplated metal containing lead may be available for surface exposures. Swarovski believes that the use of their products poses no significant risk to human health.

Several states have passed or are proposing laws to ban materials containing lead in various consumer products including jewelry. Swarovski is working closely with industry trade groups, regulators, and legislators to develop enforceable standards with consistent lead limits and which take into account the low accessibility of lead from crystal.

Although I received this information, there have been various opinions as to whether the lead is exposed on the surface or not, although this particular one says it does not; I know from personal experience that working with crystals and handcrafting jewelry there are times when insignificant chips/nicks and/or cracks happen during wire wrapping and/or putting rings and/or wire through the centers of crystals as they are delicate and I have not gotten a definite answer on exposure in these cases. I have requested further information from several companies. Even though not all my jewelry has Swarovski Crystals in it, I do handle them during the manufacturing/handcrafting of all my jewelry.

Personally, I have decided that I’m going to progressively find replacements to use for Swarovski Crystals until I get clarification and/or they develop a non-leaded crystal. Please keep in mind that most if not all crystals have various percentages of lead in them, and I am in no means saying anything against Swarovski as they have been around for a long time and one of the most popular crystals used. I have always included an alcohol prep. with all my new earrings so the customers can do an initial cleaning before they wear them the first time and alcohol is widely used for sterilization and I will continue to do so; along with that I am going to include alcohol wipes with all my non-crystal jewelry to possibly assist in removing any traces of lead that may or may not be on it from handling crystals during the manufacturing process of making all my jewelry. God willing the transition of finding suitable replacements for the Swarovski will go smoothly and quickly. I am also working on developing a page on precious metals for my customers.

May God continue to protect and bless you and yours in every way, every day!