I’m not entirely sure why, but it seemed to me that everyone on etsy and in bead stores are obsessed with swarovski crystals. I am not saying I don’t like them, but the extend and devotion makes me want to find alternatives. When suddenly everyone with or WITHOUT taste rushed to get something, you kind of want to separate yourself from it, you kind of think, time to look for the next frontier.
besides that, another reason i’ve been refraining from swarovski crystal is that it contains lead. I don’t see anyone, not a single jeweller, mentioned that. However, I’ve read that somewhere on a wholesale supplier site. I cannot but help doubting, and today, i found this: http://www.beadboard.net/lead-swarovski-crystal-beads/ and clear some of my doubt, here’s my excerpt. Please do go to the site and read the WHOLE thing.
- Swarovski crystal beads contains lead
- Not all crystal beads also contain lead
- The lead in Swarovski crystal beads is generally NOT dangerous.
… Crystal has unique properties. The crystal manufacturing process creates a matrix which inhibits the mobility of lead… lead crystal poses no significant risk of excessive lead exposure to human health via surface contact… - (California Proposition 65?)
Glass and crystal decorative components used in adult jewelry are considered Class 1 materials and CA has no lead limits for Class 1 materials used for adult jewelry.
Therefore, the use of leaded crystal, including Swarovski crystal, may be used in adult jewelry … from the state of California’s Toxic Substances Control website.
The author conclude that Swarovski crystal beads are perfectly safe to work with and use in adult jewelry, but should be kept out of the hands of children and never put in children’s jewelry.
I’m a little relieved to have this reassurance, but, I wonder how many etsians / jewellery buyers and wearers know this. What if you are a parent? A foster parent? Or expected parent? School teacher? Sometimes when you think this way, children are suddenly EVERYWHERE. And it seemed a majority of them, especially if they arent yours, or if you are a mum that has 10 zillion things to do, (and your husband is near non-existant,) that kids just put every possible thing into their mouths (yes, including a pig’s snout). I guess that’s back to the warning labels. I’ve warned you that it contains lead.
Why lead is bad? well, first, lead accumulates in your body for a long time. It affects almost every system in your body, including your nervous system, reproductive system, the kidneys, digestion system and blood production. I found info through these 2 pages “lead on the job” and “medline plus“.
Oh, and did I mention your 1K dollar crystal glass also contains lead? I’ve read that a while ago and the bottomline is, if you don’t let your wine sit there for too long, and if you don’t drink too much, you are fine. Afterall, by the time you have drink enough to have lead poisoning, you probably have even more serious intoxication from the alcohol 
