Every so often someone asks me if Swarovski crystal beads are dangerous or not, seeing how Swarovski advertises its products as being made with “lead crystal.” Let’s cover some of the more common questions:

Do Swarovski crystal beads contain lead?
Yes, it does! And yes, it is the lead that you always hear about in paint and other substances that can poison the body. It is estimated that Swarovski crystal beads contain about 32% lead or lead oxide in them. The lead is used to maximize the way the light refracts through the crystal which gives them …