A new investigation has identified significant levels of a toxic metal known to cause cancer in inexpensive “silver” jewelry available on Amazon and TikTok.
Testing conducted as part of The Sunday Times investigation revealed that several pieces exceeded legal limits in the U.K., where cadmium content in jewelry is capped at 0.01%. One ring purchased on Amazon, listed as “Women’s 925 Sterling Silver Simple Open Adjustable Rings” from the brand Littleduckling and priced at approximately $4, contained just over 92% cadmium — more than 9,000 times the U.K. maximum allowance. A charm bracelet from TikTok seller Perform Pearls registered nearly 3,300 times the permitted level.
Cadmium, a silvery-white toxic metal commonly used in rechargeable batteries and metal coatings, is known to cause cancer and poses risks to multiple organs with prolonged exposure.
The United States lacks a comprehensive nationwide regulation governing cadmium in adult jewelry. Individual states have enacted their own restrictions, primarily focused on children’s products. California prohibits the manufacture or sale of children’s jewelry with more than 300 parts per million (0.03%) of cadmium by weight.
Illinois, under the Cadmium-Safe Kids Act, bans children’s jewelry containing more than 75 ppm of cadmium in any paint, surface coating, or material that comes into contact with skin. Washington state sets a 40 ppm limit for children’s products and mandates reporting of high-concern chemicals.
Cadmium exposure primarily occurs through ingestion rather than skin absorption. The CDC estimates that only about 0.5% is absorbed dermally. Risks increase when individuals handle the jewelry and then touch their mouth or food.
The metal can also enter the environment through burning coal, household waste, and industrial processes. While low levels occur naturally in some foods such as shellfish, additional sources of exposure include cigarette smoke and proximity to industrial facilities.
Health effects associated with cadmium poisoning include kidney damage, osteoporosis, liver damage, lung cancer, and other respiratory problems. Experts describe it as one of the most potent toxic metals.
Christer Hogstrand, professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London, stated that cadmium is more dangerous than mercury in terms of overall toxicity and advised minimizing any exposure. Earrings present particular concern if inserted into pierced or damaged skin.
Previous examinations have documented similar issues. In 2018, testing by the Center for Environmental Health found jewelry at Ross and Nordstrom Rack containing at least 40% cadmium, with most samples exceeding 90%. This year, the U.K.’s Office for Product Safety and Standards intercepted and destroyed Amazon jewelry shipments with excessive cadmium levels at the border.
The Sunday Times investigation did not publish a full list of affected products but highlighted the prevalence of such items on major online platforms. Cadmium’s presence in consumer goods sold as affordable fashion accessories raises questions about supply chain oversight for imported jewelry.
The findings arrive amid larger criticism of heavy metals in everyday products. While direct skin contact is generally considered low risk for short-term exposure, cumulative contact and accidental ingestion remain a concern for public health authorities.
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