I feel like I've been hearing a lot lately about companies selling products that contain nickel and lead. Urban Outfitters and Fitbit have had issues with this recently. My reaction has simply been "What! Why?" At this point, it seems lazy and irresponsible to sell products that contain these metals.
Lead is sort of a no-brainer. Don't put it in things that touch your skin or that young kids could play with or put in their mouths. And nickel, while its not toxic and not nearly as dangerous as lead, is a very common skin irritant. Even if you are immune, would you want to gift someone an accessory that might give them a rash?
Most likely for these companies, its simply an issue of not overseeing production, wanting things made as cheaply as possible, and perhaps not realizing the consequences. But because we make everything ourselves, we have total oversight over the manufacturing process and only buy materials that we're sure are free of toxic metals. Our products are totally lead and nickel free - so you can feel comfortable wearing them and giving them as gifts.