We’re still sorting wedding gifts, nearly a year after the fact, and were pondering some of our crystal. We have a beautiful crystal pitcher/decanter which, according to the box, is 24% lead crystal.
Now, this thread explained exactly what lead crystal is, but doesn’t answer my question, which is this:
Is the lead oxide in lead crystal potentially dangerous to people who drink out of a lead crystal container?
A friend recently told me that he won’t drink out of his lead crystal for fear of lead poisoning, but I think he’s being an idjit. My wife the chemist thinks that lead oxide probably isn’t very water-soluble, therefore it’s safe–but she’s more of a biochemist. What’s the straight dope?
[sub]When I give wedding gifts to people, I will never give crystal. It’s useless to grad-student newlyweds! What’s wrong with cash, people?[/sub]
Well, it is alcohol-soluable, so I wouldn’t store hooch in it. However, if you wanna make your wine look purdy, put it in there on the night you plan to serve it then transfer it afterwards.
However, I remember this from a Fine Cooking Magazine a while ago, so my memory is rusty.
I’d say keep it for show. Decant whatever you want to serve right before serving it, then after dinner pour the leftovers back into an old mayonnaise jar or something.
