Now that Big Lots, Family Dollar and Michaels have recalled their lead jewelry lines (43,000 units from Big Lots alone) it seems that bottomless pit that is cheap junk is all lead. I hope that you will excuse me for not being too surprised at all this.

Allow me some editorializing room here. What did everyone think these things were made out of anyway? We, as a nation, have become so conditioned to getting it cheaper and cheaper that we seem to have forgotten that cheap comes at a price. We used to have a saying when I worked in manufacturing, we have fast, we have cheap, and we have good, you get to pick two of the three. Well, everyone wants fast and cheap, that leaves out good.

When everyone keeps screaming cheap cheaper cheaper, and you run out of places where things can be made cheaper, first Mexico, then India, and now China, the only place left to cut costs is in material, and that means lead. So, me suggestion to you is that the next time you are looking for some cheap jewelry for your kid, or yourself, don’t spend the $6 on 3 pair of earrings, step up and spend $20 for a nice pair of sterling silver earrings.