Vintage Jewelry

Vintage (1960s?) plastic cuff bracelet tests positive for high levels of Lead, using XRF technology

Vintage (1960s?) plastic cuff bracelet tests positive for high levels of Lead, using XRF technology

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October 16, 2022 — Sunday This cuff bracelet tested positive for a high level of Lead. It is possible this is a vintage piece from the 1960s or from the ’80s — since plastic jewelry was very popular in each of those eras (if it was pre-1960, I would expect the plastic to have a…

Vintage Costume Jewelry Golden/ Brass Horse Pin: 34,400 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

Vintage Costume Jewelry Golden/ Brass Horse Pin: 34,400 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

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For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Bone and brass cuff bracelet: 1,898 ppm Lead (on decorative brass components that touch the wearer’s skin).

Bone and brass cuff bracelet: 1,898 ppm Lead (on decorative brass components that touch the wearer’s skin).

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Component #1.) Brass decorative elements: Lead (Pb): 1,898 +/- 294 ppm Tin (Sn):14,600 +/- 400 ppm Zinc (Zn): 339,900 +/- 2,600 ppm Copper (Cu): 633,800 +/- 3,200 ppm Nickel (Ni): 3,166 +/- 306 ppm  Iron (Fe): 5,192 +/- 406 ppm Titanium (Ti): 257 +/- 137 ppm Sliver (Ag): 94 +/- 48 ppm Component #2.) Brass hinge…

Clip on earring. As anticipated 153,200 ppm Lead + 6,806 ppm Antimony (typical of vintage & new crystal jewelry.)

Clip on earring. As anticipated 153,200 ppm Lead + 6,806 ppm Antimony (typical of vintage & new crystal jewelry.)

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Decorative blue crystal surface: Lead (Pb): 153,200 +/- 12,000 ppm Barium (Ba): 29,300 +/- 3,600 ppm Antimony (Sb): 6,806 +/- 812 ppm Bromine (Br): 134 +/- 39 ppm Tin (Sn): 2,482 +/- 303 ppm Gold (Au): 1,742 +/- 452 ppm Zinc (Zn): 16,100 +/- 1,300 ppm Copper (Cu): 158,200 +/- 12,000 ppm Vanadium (V): 3,598…

Costume jewelry necklace charm with faux ruby & faux pearls: 7,743 ppm Cadmium + 36,100 Antimony + 51,700 Lead

Costume jewelry necklace charm with faux ruby & faux pearls: 7,743 ppm Cadmium + 36,100 Antimony + 51,700 Lead

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For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Maybe Grandma can Keep her Vintage Faux Pearls?: 295,900 ppm Lead (90 & up is unsafe in items kids use)

Maybe Grandma can Keep her Vintage Faux Pearls?: 295,900 ppm Lead (90 & up is unsafe in items kids use)

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        For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology…

Little Vintage (1980s?) Plastic Avon Bear Pin: 2,300 ppm Lead. 90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids.

Little Vintage (1980s?) Plastic Avon Bear Pin: 2,300 ppm Lead. 90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids.

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        Post published: December 24, 2017 Vintage Plastic Avon Bear Pin. 2,300+ ppm Lead (Pb). The amount of lead that is considered toxic in the paint or coating of a modern item manufactured and intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher. I have tested quite a few…

#LeadedJewelry: Crystal Earring

#LeadedJewelry: Crystal Earring

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Costume Jewelry Earring: 330,100 ppm lead. Jewelry intended for adults is not regulated for total lead content. Items intended for children are regulated by law to be 90 ppm lead or lower. …Not 9,000 ppm lead, and definitely not 90,000 ppm lead +++ Who’s to say that these aren’t given to a child to play…

#LeadedJewelry: Vintage Crystal Bracelet

#LeadedJewelry: Vintage Crystal Bracelet

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Costume Jewelry bracelet: >100,000 ppm lead, leaded crystal. Tested with an XRF. – Click here to learn about #SaferChoices for your family including alternatives like solid silver jewelry marked “925”  – with natural stones (not crystals.)  

Jingle bell bracelet (no mark or maker): 889 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids. Stick with sterling silver if you can.

Jingle bell bracelet (no mark or maker): 889 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids. Stick with sterling silver if you can.

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Originally posted: January 14, 2017 Updated: December 25, 2019 Jingle bell bracelet:  889 ppm Lead. (otherwise mostly zinc, copper and nickel.) Tested with an XRF instrument. The amount of Lead in jewelry marketed and sold as intended for use by adults is not regulated. Kids’ items are considered toxic/unsafe if over 90 ppm Lead in…

#LeadedJewelry: Vintage Faux Pearls

#LeadedJewelry: Vintage Faux Pearls

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37,287 ppm Arsenic. 307 ppm Cadmium. Greater than 10% (>100,000) ppm lead. Tested with an XRF. Items intended for children are required by current legislation to be under 90 ppm lead. Jewelry intended for adults is not regulated for total lead content – especially antique / vintage jewelry (which may be deteriorating/ chalking into the…