Hello!
I’ve recently purchased some leaded enamel and leaded enamel paint that I think are just wonderful.
My goal is to be able to sell my jewelry creations. However, I am concerned about my customers being in contact with the leaded enamel and the leaded enamel paints.
More specifically, I am making simple dangle earrings that don’t have a bezel. I do a base coat of leaded enamel, fire that, and then I do my painting, fire it, and I’m done. I do use unleaded enamel on the backs of the earrings, but I’m sure the leaded part will still touch the person’s face throughout the day.
I’m having so much trouble finding information on this. It seems that once the products are fired, it poses little risk, but I have no hard evidence.
At the same time, I feel like if I mention that my jewelry contains lead anywhere on an Etsy shop listing (for example), that people will instantly click out of it.
I’m wondering if I just need to find an unleaded alternative. Unfortunately, I know it won’t be as good.
I’m really in love with Hirosawa painting enamels, and that’s what I’ve been using.
I would greatly appreciate any insight you have on this topic. I’m in the USA for reference.
Thank you,
Lauren
Lauren, I think most lead compounds (lead oxide, lead carbonate, lead chloride, etc.) are not soluble, and in addition they are also bound in the glass, which is not soluble, so how can any lead from fired enamels be absorbed through skin?
You are also talking extremely fleeting and light contact. As point of comparison, fishermen/women handle pure lead sinkers all the time and there has been no mass die-off, though hands should be washed before eating.
As to your etsy concern, why not just say “Made with the finest Hirosawa enamels” and leave it at that?
Neil A
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All vitreous enamels contain heavy metals, some are lead-bearing. All are harmful (toxic) and MUST me handled with personal safety attended to. Masks when handling dry; active ventilation when firing; washing hands when finished handling. Ya only get one pair of lungs, one brain, etc. Keep 'em safe.
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LaurenM51202,
This is a great question and as far as I know it’s complicated. It also depends on what state that you live in. California for instance, has fairly restrictive laws regarding lead in jewelry.
https://dtsc.ca.gov/toxics-in-products/lead-in-jewelry/
I’m not an enamelist, so I’m not much help and don’t know the answer to your question. Because of that I reached out to an enamelist friend who is also a college art professor in CA to see what she has to say.
If you Google “lead in jewelry” you’ll see lots of links regarding the question in multiple US states. From what I can tell, there isn’t a clear, succinct answer, which is frustrating to be sure!
Let’s see what my California enamelist friend says. I’ll let you know when I hear back. Until then, maybe other Orchid members know what legally has to be declared to sell lead based enamel jewelry in all US states.
Thanks!!
Jeff
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That would be awesome Jeff! Thank you so much!!!
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Here’s what my California enamelist friend said:
“For the leaded enameling question, she does not need to worry about fired leaded enamel in her jewelry. Most serious enamelists use leaded enamels. They pose the most risk for those making the enamel powder in factories, and then combined with food, especially acidic foods like tomato sauce, so no bowls or dinner plates. Just casual skin contact is not a threat. As for the leaded paint, if it is overglaze or underglaze that is fired in the kiln all is good. If it is just paint, I wouldn’t use it on jewelry or anything else. I consider leaded paint a health risk in a wearable object.”
She basically agreed with what LaLinda and Neil A said.
I also asked a local person who teaches enameling classes where I live in rural New England. That person thought that Neil A’s answer was a good one. “As to your etsy concern, why not just say “Made with the finest Hirosawa enamels” and leave it at that?”
One thing I’ll add, is that your question is kind of a legal question. It’s not a bad idea to have liability insurance whenever you sell objects online or elsewhere.
I hope all that helps!! I’ll bet your jewelry is beautiful!!
Jeff
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No. Lead in enamel that has been fired is not a risk. So your customers would be perfectly safe unless they chewed up and swallowed a lot of the enamel.
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New York State and Illinois also have lead disclosure laws. They pertain only to children who can ingest or swallow leaded substances. California’s law is the most complex and stringent. Adults don’t eat what they wear.
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can’t agree more when it comes to safety for manufacturing leaded products.
So far as using those products, common sense dictates not to eat enamelware jewelry. The same should be said of not using cookware or plates with leaded glaze or even decorative enamel to eat out of…
I have seen one case of subacute lead poisoning wherein the patient was working in a local ammunition manufacturing shop…lead shavings were all over the place, including the bottom of coffee cups… all of the employees were untrained or ignored routine safety protocols, - wouldn’t just simply keep the place clean. The owner was negligent in ignoring all local, state and federal toxic materials laws…the victim developed brain swelling, eye nerve damage. It took three months of treatment with intravenous agents to remove the lead from his body… Needless to say, the place was shut down by OSHA. The owner refused or was unable to spend the money to comply with safety standards… CHRONIC lead poisoning is far more subtle…it comes with a lot of nonspecific symptoms including mood changes, cough, tingling of the feet, headache, etc. and can’t be diagnosed without a high index of suspicion… only direct testing of the blood for heavy metals can confirm it. It behooves those who MAKE jewerly out of leaded materials to protect themselves… repeated exposure without protection is risky. Those who WEAR jewelry are not at risk.
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Thank you Jeff for going out of your way to help me find an answer. You’ve made my day! The paints I use are Hirosawa painting enamels which I guess makes them an overglaze. They have to be fired at 1400-1475 Fahrenheit. Thanks again!
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