Lead in Wyrding Studios products

As of March 1st, 2008, California and Minnesota have banned the sale of adult (not just children's) jewelry containing more than trace levels of lead. The vast majority of our products are made from materials which meet these regulations, and we do not knowingly purchase materials which pose a health hazard. However, we do on occasion use vintage and recycled materials and other products of uncertain composition in our work.

As the only practical testing methods available are destructive, we can no longer sell jewelry containing parts with unknown lead content to customers in California and Minnesota. The laws in these states allow no exceptions for vintage jewelry, nor for small producers; as written, these laws amount to a de-facto ban on sales of vintage costume jewelry and modern jewelry containing vintage parts in those states.

In any case, our jewelry is not intended for children, and is not tested nor waranteed to be safe for children; it is also not intended to be ingested. Even if lead content were not an issue, jewelry contains small parts which could potentially pose a choking hazard, and we encourage and expect parents to store their jewelry safely.

We understand the concerns parents have about product safety, and we completely support legislation intended to protect children's health. At the same time, we believe that adults are capable of making informed decisions about what they choose to put in and on their bodies, and we do not support laws which make it illegal to manufacture, sell, or even give away jewelry to adults for adult use, simply because it might contain something that is dangerous if ingested.

(After all, adults can legally buy alcohol and tobacco products, have unprotected sex with strangers, and enlist in the military, all of which present a much higher risk of illness, injury or death than wearing a piece of vintage costume jewelry or modern jewelry containing vintage parts of uncertain composition.)

As we are not residents of Minnesota or California, there is little we can do about this state of affairs save to obey the laws as they apply to us. If you find this legislature objectionable, we suggest that you contact your elected representatives. Links to the relevant legistation are below.

California Lead in Jewelry Law

Minnesota Lead in Jewelry Law (pdf)