Many thanks to Dita Basu of Bead-Z-Mommys-Business for sharing this tip:
We are all aware of the issue of lead in the jewelry making field and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CSPIA).
Recently I came across some information that I wanted to share with my fellow jewelry making friends:
In a catalog by Fire Mountain I found that there is now a kit that can test for lead on any surface – including metal, ceramic, paint and other jewelry making components. See how it works.
This kit seems fairly inexpensive considering the cost of a lab test which can be over $100.
I have not used it. Just wanted to share what I came across.
—————
Note from Rena:
Thanks so much for sharing this, Dita!
I have not used this lead testing kit either, and I don’t know whether it will fit in with the CSPIA requirements.
It might also have value for jewelry artists if (for your own knowledge and peace of mind) you want to check your jewelry supplies for lead content. For example, you might want find out if any of your pewter components contain lead – which was often the case until recently.
For more information on the issues of lead in jewelry, see the Rings & Things forum discussion on how the lead-in-jewelry law affects jewelry makers.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve used a similar kit and I found it very useful for detecting whether lead is present. Its limitation is that if there is lead, it won’t tell you the exact amount – so you won’t know whether it’s low enough to be allowable (which is what you’d have to pay for lab testing for). But on the other hand, if it tests negative, I think you can be pretty certain that you’re in the clear.
This type of lead test kit is intended for testing surfaces for lead (like a painted surface.) It’s not so useful in the jewelry trade because it doesn’t test inside a plated or coated item. The CPSIA law requires quantitative testing by labs accredited by the CPSC.
I added more detailed comments about lead testing kits to the forum thread Rena linked to above at http://www.rings-things.com/forum/index.php/topic,2947.msg29703.html#msg29703