Funalliance.com

[TeaFanatic]

I recently purchased a gaiwan from funalliance.com because they are really cool and cheap. But I was wondering if their teaware is safe (i.e. no lead). Has anyone purchased from them and/or does anyone know anything about the company as to whether or not the teaware is safe.

Thanks

[rabbit]

I haven't died yet...

[TeaFanatic]

Well that's good rabbit! I emailed Kam (at funalliance.com) and he said that he uses that same gaiwan that I ordered with his tea group, and that it doesn't have lead poisoning. While this may not necessarily be true, I don't have any reason not to trust him.

[Ahem]

Lead testing kits are very affordable and you don't have to send them off to get the results. They're especially handy for older china and questionable imports. If you're in doubt, it's certainly worth it to find out.

[teaisme]

If you are still really paranoid about lead poisoning and don't want to shell out the money for a good test kit (yes the good ones ARE expensive, the cheap ones that many ppl use can't detect smaller amounts) there are a couple measures you can take.

1. Don't buy wares with bright painting or colors esp on inside of cup. Pure white porcelain rarely contains lead.
2. Don't use the questionable wares if they chip or the glaze gets scratched off somehow. A lot of times the lead is in the glaze.
3. Don't drink out of really old antique tea ware
4. dusty or chalky gray residue on the glaze after washing is good indication of lead
5. Decorations on top of glaze instead of beneath it.
6. Homemade wares (unless maker says its ok)

This really just applies for some really really REALLY cheap tea ware from china. ( I assume you are not drinking your tea out of old South American Terra cotta).

[scruffmcgruff]

For comparison, it is well known that Japanese raku wares are guaranteed to contain lead in their glazes, yet they are highly sought after and not at all problematic.

IIRC (please correct me if I'm wrong) lead is only a problem in glazes if you are using the items for more acidic things like orange juice, vinegar, tomato sauce, etc.

[Pouvla]

I haven't died yet...

And neither have I, been using a FA gaiwan for over 2½ years so if it would have any effect I'd guess it would've shown by now.

[teaisme]

IIRC (please correct me if I'm wrong) lead is only a problem in glazes if you are using the items for more acidic things like orange juice, vinegar, tomato sauce, etc.[/quote]

acidic things and hot things