The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe by modern standards (and illegal) in items manufactured and sold expressly for use by children is 90 ppm Lead or higher in the surface paint or coating, and 100 ppm Lead (or higher) in the substrate (as detectable with an XRF instrument.)
A lot of costume jewelry might LOOK like it was made for use by children (like this Minnie Mouse themed pink and silver-colored metal bracelet with leaded crystal), but it is often actually sold bearing very clear warnings in the packaging or labeling, stating that it is NOT intended for use by children (“not for use by children under 16 years old” or “…under 13 years old”, or similar.) This is usually because it contains Lead (although, less commonly the age warnings are there for other reasons.)
Continue reading below images.
As a result, my recommendation at this point (if you want to be on the safe side regarding possible Lead content), is to avoid all costume jewelry — because you never know when it will get into the hands of a small child. Buying costume jewelry with Lead (or Cadmium) content supports the industry that perpetuates the demand for the deep mining, refining and manufacturing of these neurotoxic heavy metals – thus further polluting our planet.
Instead, I recommend choosing natural materials (stones, pearls, wood and shells), with natural string (hemp or leather), and the timeless non-neurotoxic metal sterling silver (clearly marked “sterling” or “925”). To read my recommendations about Safer Choices for Jewelry (especially jewelry for children), Click Here.
If you absolutely must have a Disney branded product, here’s a possible Lead-free alternative. While I haven’t tested these, they are listed as cubic zirconium and sterling silver. In general, it seems like Disney (and other brands) have been moving away from Leaded crystal in the past five years or so — however, these things are still not always clearly marked, and it is nearly impossible for a consumer to tell the difference in most cases.
To see more items I have tested with an XRF instrument, Click HERE.
When tested with an XRF instrument, this Disney branded Minnie Mouse bracelet (purchased new at Disneyland in 2010) was positive for the following metals:
Pink Crystals (tested for a minimum of 60 seconds):
(Metals not listed were not present in the component tested.)
- Lead (Pb): 252,2000 +/- 2,400 ppm [25.2%]
- Barium (Ba): 28,600 +/- 1,000 ppm [2.8%]
- Chromium (Cr): 714 +/- 172 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 1,658 +/- 242 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 1,769 +/- 274 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 350,500 +/- 2,800 ppm [35%]
- Copper (Cu): 348,600 +/- 2,900 ppm [34.8%]
- Vanadium (V): 2,169 +/- 307 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 4,906 +/- 506 ppm
- Silver (Ag): 6,685 +/- 333 ppm
Continue reading below images for additional test results.
To see more costume jewelry I have tested, Click HERE.
Gray metal base of bracelet (pictured above):
(Metals not listed were not present in the component tested.)
- Chromium (Cr): 311 +/- 125 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 1,330 +/- 254 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 526, 600 +/- 3,300 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 456,900 +/- 3,100 ppm
- Bismuth (Bi): 2,164 +/- 211 ppm
- Silver (Ag): 10,300 +/- 400 ppm
To see more Disney items I have tested, Click HERE.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts!
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
I have one of these exact bracelets bought at Walt Disney world in 2009. I recall buying it- they were in large groups, not packaged, no labels. Likely a small price tag. Definitely not indicated to NOT be used by children. At Disney, everyone is a child, and everything is for everyone. I actually have 2, but the elastic holding them together disintegrated long ago.
I wore one like this for several years. I am beginning to think nothing is safe anymore!
Thank you for commenting. Yes – I get it! I LOVE pink sparkly things (I always get my nails done in pink or purple sparkles when I get them done!)… Luckily now they have lead-free crystal options for bracelets – although unless it is marked Lead-free at the point of sale, it may not be.
Tamara