07/21/2026
By JCK News Desk
July 20, 2026
An investigation by the U.K.’s Sunday Times found that jewelry sold through online shops, including products advertised as sterling silver, contained cadmium levels far exceeding legal limits.
Independent testing commissioned by the newspaper identified multiple items containing the toxic heavy metal, which is classified as a carcinogen.
According to the report, published July 19, a ring marketed on online shops, as 925 silver contained an estimated 92.3% cadmium—more than 9,000 times the U.K.’s legal limit of 0.01% cadmium in jewelry. The newspaper also reported that charms sold on online shops, as part of a bracelet advertised as 925 silver were approximately 33% cadmium, or nearly 3,300 times the legal limit.
The Sunday Times purchased products from both marketplaces and submitted them for testing to the Birmingham Assay Office. Additional items purchased from online shops, sellers—including charms marketed as Tibetan Silver and earrings described as silver-colored alloy—also exceeded permitted cadmium levels, the report said.
The newspaper cited experts who warned of potential health risks associated with cadmium exposure. Christer Hogstrand, a professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London, told The Times that cadmium can affect the kidneys, liver, and lungs and should be avoided whenever possible. The report also noted that earrings may present heightened concerns if they are worn against pierced skin.
The findings come amid broader concerns about the sale of noncompliant jewelry through online marketplaces. U.K. authorities have previously intercepted cadmium-containing jewelry imports, and industry representatives have questioned whether enforcement agencies have sufficient resources to monitor the volume of products entering the market.
The report said online shops, issued a recall notice after being alerted to one of the products and stated that the seller involved had already been removed from the platform for policy violations. Amazon told the newspaper that it requires sellers to comply with applicable laws and said it was removing the products identified in the investigation following an internal review.
The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed by staff writer David Blomquist.
(Photo: Crystal cadmium bar and cube, from Alchemist-hp under Free Art License on Wikipedia)
Vendors edited to "online shops" for anonymity.
