When tested with an XRF instrument this Crate & Barrel “Miguel Highball” drinking glass (Made In Mexico) had the following readings:
- Lead (Pb): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
- Mercury (Hg): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
- Cadmium (Cd): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
- Arsenic (As): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
Crate and Barrel products have gone either way over the past decade or more (unleaded or leaded), although many of their newer products (c. 2018) have been Lead-free or at least Lead-safe.
See more Crate & Barrel items I have tested here.
In terms of buying guidelines for clear glasses here are some considerations:
- “Made in Mexico” is often an indicator that there is Lead in glass, so this particular glass is an exception to that rule.
- If glasses have any tint or color they are more likely to test positive for Lead or Cadmium than if they are clear glass (again this glass is an exception, because of the blue/green tint.) See more tinted glasses that I have tested by clicking here.
- Drinking glasses made of recycled materials (that often have a slight blue/green tint like this one) are usually positive for Lead (in varying levels). Here’s an example of that. So again, this glass is an exception.
- Ikea, Walmart, K-Mart and Target (and other popular stores) have LOTS of inexpensive options in clear glass that are generally Lead-free.
- Good modern brands for clear drinking glasses that you can purchase new and are likely to be Lead-free include: Libbey, Anchor Hocking and Duralex.
- My favorite Lead-free choice for drinking glasses is new Ball jars!
- Please do be careful to avoid Leaded crystal at all costs, as crystal has been proven to leach lead into the beverages it holds. Please read more about that here.
- With vintage glassware a good way to determine (in most cases) if it is leaded crystal or low-lead/lead-free glass is whether or not there is a press seam vertically along the glass. A press seam is a good indicator that it is not Leaded crystal.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links I may receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my advocacy work in this way.
Hey!
Thank you for this information! In regards to you recommendation for getting Libbey brand cups, I’ve seen that a large part of their inventory is ‘Made in Mexico.’
Is it still safe to get or should it be avoided?
Hi Ugo,
Libbey is an exception (to my “avoid things from Mexico” rule) and is generally safe. I don’t believe I have ever tested a Libbey brand glassware product that was positive for Lead in any amount, although also in my testing I have not noted the country of manufacture for most of the Libbey products (I don’t believe it is marked on the product itself, or at least I do not recall seeing any obvious country of origin markings on their products.)
Also perhaps to clarify – I never recommend any products that have decals or painted markings because the sourcing of the paint on the design can change an may have Lead in the future (even if a particular year of manufacture of the same product was Lead-free.)
Tamara
Hello Tamara,
I know you tested the Duralex color drinking glasses. I love them! However, I am in need of larger glasses for my family water drinking glasses at home. Do you think this option looks safe? Thank you for your help 🙂
Blessings,
Kimberly
Aflink: https://amzn.to/2JQFx0O
Hi Kimberly! Thanks for commenting.
I haven’t tested the colored Libbey glasses so I really cannot comment on those. I like 16 oz Ball jars personally (for most of my water and coffee and everything else too!): https://amzn.to/2HX7Ec1. (aflink)
Tamara
Have you tested any Aladdin glass jars, this one in particular? I just want to double-check before I brew Kombucha in it. Thanks!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aladdin-1-Gallon-Glass-Mason-Beverage-Dispenser/33965501
What do you think about glassware that is sold as lead-free crystal?
Dear Tamara,
I recently purchased a clear glass picture that resembles the old Hi-C picture in shape. It was made in Mexico and I bought it at Target. Do you know if this is a lead-free product?
Thanks in advance for all the work you do,
Debra Sue
Hi! I am looking into buying some Trendglas Jena (Formerly Jenaer glas) teapots and glass dishes from Germany. They sent me documentation which shows the lead level is <0.01, and cadmium as <0.001. The company advertises as lead-free. Would those amounts be a source of worry in your opinion? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Dear Tamara,
I’ve stumbled across your website when I have been trying to do research on lead and cadmium. Your website is very helpful. I wish we had more information about this topic. I got rid of enamel, glazed ceramic, old vintage Pyrex glassware from my in-laws, citrus squeezer from my kitchen. It is kind of sad, but I am committed to go plastic free and lead/cadmium free for our family’s health. Nothing is worth the cost of our health!
I have a Mikasa highball glass that we purchased 3 years ago.
Here is the link
https://www.amazon.com/Mikasa-Cheers-Metallic-Highball-18-Ounce/dp/B01A0J7JFE
Tamara, would you happen to know if this has any toxic material on it? Mikasa promotes their crystals to be lead-free, but I could not find anything on this particular type of glasses. Thank you.
Hi. Have you tested the crinkle version of Libbey drinking glasses? Wondering if this makes a difference?
Thank you
Hi I just purchased Recycled Stemless Wine Glasses from amici home on the world market website and I cant seem to find any information if these glasses contain lead or other harmful or toxic substances. Would you be able to help me out?
The link is
https://www.worldmarket.com/product/recycled+stemless+wine+glasses%2C+set+of+4.do?_br_psugg_q=recycled+glassware
Thank you for everything you do.
Hi Tamara, Thank you for taking the time to devote all your time and effort into researching and testing for the sake of better educating and informing the public. I was wondering if you have ever tested any Lenox glassware, particularly wine glasses, drinking glassware, and decanters. I purchased numerous of these items back in 2009 and now wonder if there is a way to know whether these items may have lead in them. I sent a message to Lenox regarding this concern and I am awaiting their response. I am wondering if there is any other way, outside of testing, to know whether glassware may have lead. Thank you for your help and time.
Hi Lorraine! Thanks for commenting. Do you recall if they were sold as “crystal” or specifically as “leaded crystal” when you purchased them? Most glassware is not marked with a brand or logo and I don’t have the time to research the origin of pieces based on patterns (in most cases) – so while I don’t recall testing Lenox glassware it is possible that I have.
Tamara
Hi,
Thanks for all your testing and articles. I was wondering if you knew about crisa glass. They say it’s safe, but is fron mexico.
Thanks!
Hi Robyn – I am not familiar with that.
T
Hi Tamara..as a wedding gift 30 years ago we received Mexican hand blown stemware
. Green tint…not sure if there is lead. Our daughter would like them for everyday use. Do you know or more importantly how can I test at home for lead? Do u suggest a kit?
You cannot test these at home. They are likely high Lead. In the absence of testing I would not use them.
Here’s one example: https://tamararubin.com/2017/02/starbucks-coffee-recycled-green-glass-tumbler-1732-ppm-lead/
Here’s a post about testing dishes: https://tamararubin.com/2017/02/ask-tamara-q-can-i-test-my-dishes-for-lead-with-a-leadcheck-swab-a-sometimes-but-not-always-click-to-read-more/
Here’s a post about things you can test at home:
https://tamararubin.com/2017/11/where/
Here’s a post about sending me something for testing:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara