Ok, this post is kinda convoluted, so bear with me (and pardon the pun).

In addition to being an amateur mechanic, I'm an amateur jewelry artist and silversmith. I find that certain auto parts lend themselves to interesting secondary functions as jewelry or art pieces. While cleaning out the garage a few weeks ago, I found my box of junk left over from rebuilding a 616.912 motor, including the old main bearing set. Inspiration struck, and I wound up with a bracelet/cuff made from the 250,000-mile connecting rod bearings:


Upon further thought, I'm a little concerned whether this is safe to wear. The bearings, to my understanding, are a shell of hardened carbon steel with a thin layer of Babbitt metal on the inner/lubricated surface. So which of the possible Babbitt alloys is it?

According to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_metal there are a handful of possible alloys, one of which is 80% lead.

I don't think lead is readily absorbed through the skin; it's apparently only dangerous if ingested or inhaled. From here: http://www.rings-things.com/jewelry-safety.html "Jewelry components containing lead are generally considered safe for adults to handle and wear externally."

I think I might just put a layer of acrylic or clearcoat on the inside of the bearing shells. Better safe than sorry.

Comments? Opinions? Advice?