With the advent of Mother’s Day, we were reminded that all costume, and fine jewelry may contain toxic metals. To avoid poisoning mothers and mothers-in-laws around the world with unsafe jewelry gifts, artists, designers, manufacturers, and stores are required in the United States to test for toxic metal content.
So what are toxic metals and why should you be worried about ensuring there are no toxic metals in jewelry that you sell, design, or manufacture?
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least 5 times greater than that of water. While there are many heavy metals, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in an article entitled Heavy Metals Toxicity states that arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury are the most significant for their toxicity to humans. Heavy metals’ toxicity is influenced by various factors such as dosage, exposure, age, gender, and genetics. These metals are systemic toxicants, and even low levels of exposure can cause damage to multiple organs, leading to cancer.
In the US, jewelry is sold as costume jewelry and fine jewelry. Fine jewelry is defined high quality pieces made with precious metals and genuine gemstones. Costume jewelry is generally made with less expensive materials and may include imitation gemstones. Each category of jewelry can be made into rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, watches, and body piercings. To ensure all jewelry is safe, a variety of testing can be done to show they are authentic and safe. Some of the testing required is for heavy metals content.
Atomic spectrometry is a popular method for analyzing trace metals in various samples, and different instruments are chosen based on factors such as cost, sensitivity, and regulatory requirements. To measure lead or cadmium in jewelry, labs use a test that combines acid digestion with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis, which turns the sample into a mist and injects it into a plasma flame.
How ContractLaboratory.com Can Help with Jewelry Heavy Metals Testing?
ContractLaboratory routinely helps designers, artisans, artists, manufacturers, and stores with their heavy metals testing. The following are some examples of Laboratory Test Requests that we have received from companies needing heavy metals testing of their jewelry:
Test Request: 23-01157 | Metals, Metal Jewelry Lead and Cadmium Testing
MULTIPLE TESTING Contract Laboratory needed for metal jewelry testing for lead and cadmium content. If this is possible for your lab, please reach out with a quote, TAT, methods, and level of detection.
Test Request: 22-03007 | Jewelry, Jewelry Testing
Contract Laboratory needed for shungite stones testing to be identified and certified for use in jewelry.
Test Request: 22-02779 | Jewelry, Sterling Silver Jewelry Verification Testing
USA LABORATORY (Small Lab Preferred) MULTIPLE PRODUCTS USA Consumer Products Laboratory needed for sterling silver jewelry verification testing
View more Laboratory Test Requests
If your company needs heavy metals testing, call us at 1-855-377-6821 or Submit Laboratory Test Request for Jewelry Testing. To learn more about Jewelry Testing and its standards and methodologies for testing, visit our Jewelry Industry Page
