An investigation by The Sunday Times has found that some jewelry marketed as "925 sterling silver" on Amazon and TikTok Shop contained cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that is classified as a human carcinogen. Laboratory analysis showed that several products contained cadmium levels far above the legal limit permitted in the United Kingdom.
Following the findings, the affected products were removed from sale, and one online marketplace initiated a product recall.
As part of the investigation, reporters purchased several rings, bracelets, and charms advertised as sterling silver from third-party sellers on Amazon and TikTok Shop. The items were tested by the Birmingham Assay Office, an independent laboratory that evaluates precious metals and jewelry.
Testing found that one ring sold on Amazon contained 92.3% cadmium, despite being advertised as "925 silver." Under UK regulations, jewelry should contain no more than 0.01% cadmium, making the detected concentration thousands of times above the legal limit.
The laboratory also examined bracelet charms purchased from TikTok Shop. These products contained approximately 33% cadmium, which also exceeded the UK's permitted limit by a substantial margin.
Authentic 925 sterling silver must contain at least 92.5% silver, with the remaining percentage usually consisting of other approved metals such as copper.
As reported in New York Post, the investigation did not publish a complete list of the products that failed testing. However, it included a screenshot of a ring listed as "Women's 925 Sterling Silver Simple Open Adjustable Rings", sold by a seller identified as Littleduckling for £2.99.
Cadmium is a cumulative toxic metal that is eliminated very slowly from the body. Once absorbed, it can remain in the kidneys for up to 38 years and gradually accumulate in the kidneys and liver, the organs most affected by long-term exposure. Chronic cadmium exposure has been associated with kidney damage, reduced bone strength, and an increased risk of certain cancers. However, the CDC notes that intact skin absorbs very little cadmium, making skin contact a relatively minor route of exposure. The risk may increase if cadmium-containing jewelry comes into contact with pierced or damaged skin, or if children place contaminated jewelry in their mouths or accidentally swallow it.1
Christer Hogstrand, Professor of Molecular Ecotoxicology at King's College London, told The Sunday Times that cadmium exposure has been associated with serious health effects, including kidney cancer, liver damage, and osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.
He also stated that exposure to cadmium at any level is a cause for concern and described the metal as posing a greater toxicological risk than mercury.
With jewellery, the greater concern is not that every wearer will develop systemic cadmium toxicity, but that a toxic metal is present. The concern becomes greater if the item is mouthed or swallowed, particularly by a child, or is worn against damaged or pierced skin.Christer Hogstrand, Professor, Molecular Ecotoxicology, King’s College London
After receiving the laboratory findings, both online marketplaces took action.
Amazon stated that it had removed the listings under investigation and was reviewing the products for compliance with its safety policies.
As reported in The Sun, an Amazon spokesperson said,
We take customer safety seriously and we’re reaching out to Ms. Bond regarding her experience. Amazon requires all products offered to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies. Only precious metals that comply with REACH compliance requirements and hallmarking legislation are allowed on our store. We take action to maintain a safe selection for our customers, including removing noncompliant products, and outreach to sellers, manufacturers, and government agencies for additional information, when appropriate. We’re in the process of removing these items after an internal investigationAmazon Spokesperson
TikTok Shop recalled the affected bracelet charms, removed the seller from its platform, and said that products sold through its marketplace must comply with applicable product safety standards.
The investigation follows previous product safety alerts issued by UK authorities regarding imported jewelry containing excessive amounts of cadmium, as reported in Daily Mail.
In June 2026, the UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) reported that silver-colored rings imported for sale through Amazon contained 86.7% cadmium. The agency classified the products as presenting a serious chemical risk and stated that they did not comply with UK REACH regulations.
Earlier safety notices have also identified necklaces and earrings sold online that exceeded the legal cadmium limit, leading to regulatory action and product removals.
The United Kingdom and the European Union limit cadmium in jewelry to 0.01% by weight under chemical safety regulations.
The investigation noted that the United States does not have a single nationwide cadmium limit for adult jewelry. However, some states have established restrictions for children's jewelry and other consumer products intended for young users, as reported in New York Post.
California enforces one of the strictest standards, prohibiting the manufacture or sale of jewelry containing more than 300 parts per million (ppm), or 0.03% cadmium by weight.
Illinois, under the Cadmium-Safe Kids Act, limits cadmium in children's jewelry to 75 ppm in paints, surface coatings, and materials that come into direct contact with the skin.
Washington State has set an even lower limit of 40 ppm for cadmium in children's products and requires manufacturers to report the presence of chemicals of high concern to the state's Department of Ecology.
The laboratory findings highlight the importance of product safety monitoring for jewelry sold through third-party online marketplaces. Authorities continue to regulate products that exceed legal limits for hazardous substances, while online platforms have removed the affected items identified during the investigation.
1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Cadmium Toxicity: What Is the Biological Fate of Cadmium in the Body? Environmental Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_atsdr_cdc_gov/csem/cadmium/Biological-Fate.html.
(Rh/SS/MSM)