Baby rattle w/ pearls

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi there, I’m generally a lurker but am in need of advice and who
better to ask? I’m making baby rattles for friends and retail -
my design is open aired with pearls and birth stones as rattlers,
which can be seen through the airy design but cannot fall out.
I’m wondering if using drilled pearls would be of any toxic
concern for baby - pearl is basically shell material and I know
abalone dusts are very toxic. I’ve noticed no chipping of pearls
with baby’s use of it. Am I just being paranoid or will drilled
be okay until I find undrilled to improve aesthetics? Help!
I’m a self - taught jeweler and live in New Orleans. No formal
jewelery schools down here but many, many jewelers and
metalsmiths!

If any orchidians make it to N.O. feel free to look me up!
Applications for Jazz Fest Craft Tent vendors are due Dec. 10th,
I believe. Always a great time! Thanks for sharing your
experience and knowledge!

Jennifer Dewey - Jewelry Designs
New Orleans, LA - USA
(504) 945-0939
@jennsjewels
The passion flowers are still blooming here…

2 
I'm wondering if using drilled pearls would be of any toxic
concern for baby - pearl is basically shell material and I
know abalone dusts are very toxic.

These dusts are toxic only when breathed . Ypu’d have to have
an awful lot of pearls doing an awful lot of rattling to create
enough dust to trouble even the tinyest toddler. This is one
worry you can put to rest. Mike