California Fines TheBeadChest.com $17,000 for Excessive Lead

CA DTSC Newsroom

Filed March 5th, 2026

Detected March 6th, 2026

Summary

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has fined online retailer TheBeadChest.com $17,000 for selling jewelry with excessive lead levels. The retailer has agreed to stop selling non-compliant jewelry.

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What changed

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has taken enforcement action against online retailer TheBeadChest.com, resulting in a $17,000 penalty. The action was prompted by the sale of jewelry containing excessive levels of lead, a violation of California law that poses significant health risks, particularly to children. TheBeadChest.com has agreed to immediately cease offering non-compliant jewelry for sale.

This enforcement action signifies DTSC's expansion of oversight to online retailers and serves as a warning to other online marketplaces. Retailers selling jewelry, especially those targeting children, must ensure their products comply with lead content regulations. Failure to comply could result in further penalties and reputational damage. Consumers are advised to remove any jewelry suspected of containing lead from children's access.

What to do next

Review jewelry product lines for compliance with California lead content regulations.
Ensure all jewelry offered for sale, particularly online, meets legal lead limits.
Cease offering for sale any jewelry found to be non-compliant with lead content laws.

Penalties

$17,000 penalty

Source document (simplified)

Newsroom

We tell DTSC’s story to keep the public informed

California cracks down on online retailer over high lead levels in jewelry

DATE: March 5, 2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Department of Toxic Substances Control took action against the online retailer TheBeadChest.com to stop it from selling jewelry containing excessive levels of lead.

CONTACT:
Media Relations Office
[email protected]

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) cracked down on a Santa Monica-based online retailer TheBeadChest.com for selling jewelry that contained excessive levels of lead, a violation of California law. Jewelry with excessive lead poses severe health risks, particularly for children, including irreversible brain damage, developmental delays, organ failure and death.

“ *Online marketplaces have a broad reach, which makes swift action essential. We appreciate this retailer took immediate steps to protect their customers from harmful lead exposure in jewelry. We expect other online retailers to do the same.”***

DTSC Director Katherine Butler

The enforcement action expands DTSC’s ongoing enforcement actions against brick-and-mortar stores to online retailers. TheBeadChest.com is a top seller of beads to individuals selling handmade crafts, jewelry and supplies. Parents should immediately take jewelry believed to contain lead away from their children. DTSC offers screening at jewelry events occasionally throughout the year. Also, commercial lead testing kits are available at some retailers. Find additional information on the DTSC website.

Operators of TheBeadChest.com have agreed to immediately cease offering jewelry for sale that is not in compliance with the law and pay a $17,000 penalty.

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control to report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste, or other environmental concerns using the CalEPA Environmental Complaint System.

DTSC’s Mission is to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.