Five checks to keep your family safe from dangerous cheap jewellery

A jewellery expert has warned parents and Christmas shoppers not to let bargain prices distract them from checking what rings, necklaces and earrings are made from before wrapping them up for loved ones.

It comes after official UK product safety investigations discovered some jewellery containing extraordinarily high concentrations of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal linked to serious health problems.

In June 2026, a silver-coloured snake ring sold online was stopped at the UK border after testing found it contained a staggering 86.7% cadmium.

UK restrictions prohibit jewellery and imitation jewellery containing cadmium at concentrations of 0.01% or greater by weight of the metal.

And it was not an isolated case.

Another necklace and earring set investigated in 2026 contained 58.4% cadmium, which officials said was 5,840 times the maximum permissible limit, alongside excessive lead.

An earlier investigation into fashion jewellery also found a dragon earring containing 80.8% cadmium.

With inexpensive jewellery likely to find its way into Christmas stockings across the country, shoppers are being warned not to assume every bargain they spot online is necessarily safe.

UK Government health guidance states that long-term cadmium exposure can cause kidney and bone damage, while cadmium and its compounds have been classified as carcinogenic to humans.

And unlike a broken clasp or sharp edge, shoppers cannot identify cadmium simply by looking at jewellery.

Stacie Hutchinson, jewellery expert at Michael Jones Jewellers, said: “Jewellery is a lovely Christmas present because it feels personal, and inexpensive pieces can make great stocking fillers, particularly for teenagers and younger family members.

“But anything somebody is going to wear regularly against their skin deserves a little bit of thought before you buy it.

“Cheap certainly doesn’t automatically mean dangerous, and people shouldn’t panic about affordable jewellery. The concern is when you have an incredibly cheap product from an unfamiliar seller and almost no information about what it contains or where it has come from.”

Five checks that could keep your family safe

1. Check what it is made from

Look for clear information about the materials used. If the description simply says “metal” or provides virtually no information, investigate further.

2. Check who is actually selling it

On marketplaces, the website may not be the company supplying the jewellery. Look for a genuine seller name, contact information and returns policy.

3. Don't be blinded by a Black Friday bargain

An enormous discount doesn't mean an item is unsafe, but countdown timers and limited-time deals encourage quick decisions. Take a minute to check before buying.

4. Read reviews and safety warnings

Look beyond star ratings for complaints about irritation, discolouration or poor plating. Check the Government's product safety alerts and recalls database if concerned.

5. Don't be afraid to send it back

If jewellery arrives with peeling, uneven colouring or poor finishing, don't feel pressured to keep it because it was cheap. Contact the seller about a return or refund if the quality isn't as advertised.

Stacie added: “The frightening thing for shoppers is that potentially dangerous metals aren't necessarily something you can see.