Lead in Crystal and China: What You Need to Know
As an heirloom explorer, I’m a huge advocate of finding and using your family’s treasures. Scroll any table-setting hashtag on Instagram, and you will find stunning tables bursting with vintage treasures. A beautiful table covered with gorgeous plates, vibrant textiles, delicate flowers, sparkly silverware, and robust wine goblets is a lovely way to use these heirlooms. Mixing generations’ worth of tableware puts them to use again and makes the occasion feel like a family reunion, or a dinner at Downton Abbey.
But did you know there is a hidden danger of using old china and crystal? Its name is lead and it can be lurking in your crystal and china.
So what exactly is lead?
If you purchased a home after 1992, you probably became aware of the use of lead in paint. This is because disclosure of lead-based paint became a requirement for the sale or lease of a building. In San Francisco, where I lived, we changed all our water pipes to copper pipes because it was common to use lead in the pipes and fittings.
Lead is a harmful heavy metal, and the US EPA has a lot of information on it, including a specific section for Lead Safe Renovations and DIYers. According to the California Department of Health, lead is a toxic substance that accumulates in your body. It can pose serious health issues, particularly in children. Check out the US Centers for Disease Controls’ website to learn more about these health issues.
But how does this relate to your grandparent’s dish sets and beloved crystal?
This Instagram of my mother-in-laws vintage crystal cruet set post sparked a small conversation about lead in crystal. Because so many of my followers share my love of family heirlooms and vintage finds, I wanted to share some more thoughts about the dangers of lead when using old crystal and china.
Why is Lead in Crystal and China?
Lead crystal is a type of glass that contains up to 24% lead. Lead has been used in crystal production for centuries. It adds weight, sparkle, and brilliance to wine glasses, decanters, vases, and other decorative items.
You may have seen the warning labels when you’ve purchased food and beverage containers that may contain lead, such as the Prop 65 Warning labels in California. (ooooh, those really do mean something!)
The main concern with lead crystal is that it can release lead into the air or liquids that come into contact with it. For example, wine stored in a lead crystal decanter can absorb lead from the decanter. This lead can then be consumed, especially when the lead crystal is exposed to acidic liquids like lemon, vinegar, or (gasp) wine. In 1992, the American Journal of Public Health published an article of a specific study done to identify the potential lead exposure in crystal decanters. The conclusion was after a 10-day storage in lead decanters, there was 10 to 212 times the regulatory level of lead in the liquid.
Okay, but what about those china dishes?
Unfortunately, lead is not just in glasses and decanters. The glazing process used in earthenware pottery often contains lead, which can facilitate the melting of glaze particles. When properly fused, the risk of lead exposure is minimal. However, lead can contaminate food when it’s not fused correctly.
How do you know if your ceramicware was properly fused?
Luckily the Food & Drug Administration in the United States provides manufacturing guidance and labeling requirements for new ceramic products.
However, second-hand, antique, damaged, and hand-made pieces are considered “problematic .” The FDA even states in its guidance on ceramicware that “brightly decorated orange, red, and yellow are highly susceptible sources of lead in ceramics because lead is used in the pigment to increase its intensity.”
While the FDA gives guidance on food and beverage containers, it’s worth noting decorative items may have different or even less rigorous guidelines and warnings. Knowing that items not typically used for food or drinks may contain lead is essential for people looking to use old things in new ways, such as myself.
How do you know which china, crystal, or cut glass has lead?
Most of our heirlooms or thrifted finds do not have these warning labels. So how can we even tell if our crystal and china contain lead?
A couple of methods can help you figure out if your family heirlooms contain lead. However, It’s important to note that these methods are not foolproof. Of course, when in doubt, the safest thing is not to use it for human consumption.
- Try a Lead Test Kit which can be purchased in hardware stores. Simply wipe the test on suspected pieces of crystal or china and it will return a positive or negative result. I have not used them, so I can’t verify their accuracy, but I’m told they exist.
- Test the sound. Often, you can tell the difference between leaded crystal glass by the “ping .” Leaded glass will have a nice chime ring, while regular glass will have a duller, shorter sound.
- Feel the weight. Check the weight: Lead-based glass is typically heavier than regular glass, so if a piece of glass feels much heavier than you expect, it may contain lead.
- Find the rainbow. My mom had so much leaded crystal that when the sun hit the room at a certain angle, the room would light up with rainbows.
- Check the cuts. Leaded crystal cuts tend to be softer, while glass cuts tend to be sharper.
What can you do to protect yourself and your family from lead in crystal?
The first step is to know what you are buying. Look for products that are labeled “lead-free” or “crystal-free .” These products are made from glass or other materials that do not contain lead.
You should always take precautions when using vintage or antique china and crystal. Avoid using lead crystal for items that come into direct contact with food or drink, such as glasses, plates, and bowls. Instead, try using them in decorative ways.
The Bottom Line on Lead
Lead is a harmful toxin, and lead in crystal and china is a serious concern. It should should not be taken lightly. To protect your and your family’s health, it’s essential to be informed and take the necessary precautions. If you have any concerns about lead in your crystal or china, consider admiring, rather than using them.
For further reading, below is a summary of all the agency links regarding lead included in this post.
- US EPA and the US EPA’s Renovation and DIYer Guidelines
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development
- California Department of Public Health and California’s Prop 65 Warning
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- National Library of Medicine: Study on Potential Lead Exposure from Crystal Decanters
- US Food & Drug Administration
About Heirloom Explorer
To Learn more about Exploring Heirlooms, check out About Heirloom Explorer and Family Heirlooms.
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If you’ve learned something, I would be grateful if you could share this post with a friend who might unaware of the potential for lead in their vintage crystal and china.
