SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
EditorsOct 18, 2010
Safe alternatives to toxic metals in jewelry
(Editor's Note: This post was written and supplied to us by Jack Gindi, CEO of FuFoo & Disney Precious Collection. You can find more information at www.fufoo.com or www.preciousjewelrycollections.com.) Bad news: Toxic metals have been found in children's jewelry from...
(Editor's Note: This post was written and supplied to us by Jack Gindi, CEO of FuFoo & Disney Precious Collection. You can find more information at www.fufoo.com or www.preciousjewelrycollections.com.)
Bad news: Toxic metals have been found in children's jewelry from China. Good news: There are safe, high-quality alternatives available
By Jack Gindi
For a precious little girl, there is nothing more special than a gift of fine jewelry. It is the simplest, most timeless way to mark a special occasion, to give as a flower girl gift, or just as a gift of love. But that special gift may carry a hidden danger. Unfortunately, in this day and age, product safety cannot be taken for granted. Not every manufacturer cares about your child’s health. For example, Chinese jewelry manufacturers are getting a lot of negative press these days, and deservedly so. China ships out a mind-boggling million or more pounds of jewelry annually. There have been numerous recalls of products shipped to the United States that have been made with dangerous, toxic heavy metals. These poisonous alloys present serious, long-term health consequences for children.
Consumer Reports estimates that about 20% of children’s metal jewelry contains high levels of lead. Even with federal legislation limiting levels of lead, recalls from lead-tainted imported products are still all too common. Coatings that are not evenly applied, dull, scraped, or chipped are a warning sign of inferior jewelry. An enamel coating should have a rich, lustrous appearance and feel smooth and glossy to the touch. The Fufoo collection, for example, which is handcrafted in Italy, uses champlevé enameling with the highest-quality enameling compounds that are free from toxic metals. For quality jewelry manufacturers, the use of toxic metals in the production process as a cost-saving measure is unacceptable and a violation of customer trust.
Now, in addition to toxic lead, our children are facing a new health threat from Chinese jewelry manufacturers, poisoning from cadmium, an even more toxic heavy metal. Yes, cadmium, that metal found in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. According to the CDC, cadmium is one of the most toxic heavy metals in existence and has the dubious honor of being ranked as the seventh most hazardous substance on earth. Cadmium-laced jewelry is especially dangerous for children because the metal can be ingested just from sucking or biting the jewelry; it need not be swallowed. It is a
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
known carcinogen that can interfere with brain development in the very young.
Why would someone use cadmium alloys in jewelry given the health risks? For China’s jewelry makers, it’s a cheap metal and easy to use. Investigative reporters have found that raw-materials suppliers in China sell jewelry manufacturers zinc-cadmium alloys containing up to 90% cadmium. These deadly toxic alloys wind up in the hands and mouths of our children. There is pending federal legislation addressing toxic metals in children’s jewelry such as the Senate’s Safe Kids’ Jewelry Act, and a similar bill, the Children’s Toxic Metals Act, introduced in the House of Representatives.
Those parents who demand safe jewelry for their children are becoming more engaged and more vocal. They are proactively seeking alternatives to potentially dangerous Chinese-imported jewelry. Jewelry should be safe, well made, age-appropriate, and beautiful. Consumers are discovering the benefits, peace of mind, and pride that comes from purchasing high-quality children’s jewelry through admired and trusted brands like FuFoo.
For more information about Fufoo Fine Jewelry for Children, visit www.fufoo.com.
More on Editors
The Latest
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
