Cadmium is often used in low-cost jewellery because it is affordable, easy to cast, and mimics the weight of precious metals. The metal is linked to kidney cancer and can also harm the liver and lungs. Risks increase when jewellery is worn on pierced skin, handled before eating, or ingested by children.
A Sunday Times investigation identified several products sold as silver jewellery with cadmium levels far above the UK legal limit of 0.01 per cent. One example was a £GBP2.99 ($AUD5.71) ring sold on Amazon as 925 silver, which contained about 92.3 per cent cadmium, more than 9,000 times the legal limit. Sterling silver must contain at least 92.5 per cent silver.
A bracelet marketed as 925 silver on TikTok Shop contained charms with 33 per cent cadmium, nearly 3,300 times the legal limit. Once notified, TikTok Shop recalled the bracelet, removed the seller and notified affected customers.
Meanwhile, jewellery consultant Jayne Bond reported a ring to Amazon; however, it remained on sale for several months before being removed. Amazon stated it is removing the identified products after conducting an internal investigation.
Kerry Saunders, operations director at Domino Jewellery and a committee member of the National Association of Jewellers, said, “UK trading standards are not equipped. They don’t have the resources to be able to keep on top of this”.
The investigation follows several recent interceptions of non-compliant jewellery entering the UK. Last year, Essex Trading Standards intercepted earrings containing cadmium, and two Amazon jewellery consignments were seized at the border this year.
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