This white gold chain was part of a jewelry making set.
Gold can occasionally test positive for mercury and cadmium. This chain is newer and unused, but its exact age is unknown.
How do you think it tested?
Reading on the chain and clasp (multiple components under scope):
| Element of Interest | Parts per million (ppm) | Error Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cadmium (Cd) | 906 | +/- 38 |
| Other Elements | ||
| Tin (Sn) | 140 | +/- 65 |
| Barium (Ba) | 193 | +/- 86 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 529 | +/- 200 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 60,583 | +/- 403 |
| Copper (Cu) | 302,082 | +/- 752 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 44,593 | +/- 328 |
| Bromine (Br) | 503 | +/- 130 |
| Iron (Fe) | 507 | +/- 120 |
| Vanadium (V) | 892 | +/- 324 |
| Gold (Au) | 554,851 | +/- 1,075 |
| Bismuth (Bi)* | 257 | +/- 141 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 402 | +/- 150 |
| Niobium (Nb) | 503 | +/- 56 |
| Palladium (Pd) | 1,985 | +/- 56 |
| Silver (Ag) | 30,873 | +/- 216 |
| Indium (In) | 85 | +/- 30 |
*When the error range for an element is 50% or more of the detected value, the element is considered present but not quantified.
All samples were tested in consumer goods TestAll mode using a Niton XL3t 700S for 60 seconds. Results are rounded to the nearest whole number. Analyst’s Note: This sample was tested through a plastic bag. When items are tested through plastic, the results are more qualitative than quantitative. If an element is present it will be detected; refer to the error ranges. We gathered the chain in a pile to screen a large sample.
Test Summary:
Cadmium was detected at levels that exceed several regulatory standards pertaining to jewelry.
At over 900 ppm, the cadmium detected exceeds the limit for new adult jewelry sold in the European Union (100 parts per million) and the limits for children’s jewelry sold in the State of California (300 parts per million). It may exceed other state or international regulatory standards for cadmium but we chose to focus on these two standards.
Although the cadmium detected exceeds those regulatory limits, new jewelry sold in the United States for adults is not subject to any federal restrictions on toxic cadmium.
This product, when sold to adults in the United States, is legal. I could walk into a discount store and if they do not impose cadmium restrictions on their suppliers, buy a piece of costume jewelry made from 80% cadmium or more, and it would not be against the law. I can go online to an international website and buy a piece of cadmium jewelry. This is unfortunate.
Cadmium is a carcinogenic heavy metal once used in solders, to enhance certain gold hues, and in costume jewelry. For this particular product, whether the cadmium has a specific function in the chain (such as solder) or is a trace contaminant in the gold is unknown.
Because we do not recommend products made with added cadmium, or cadmium in excess of the regulatory limits mentioned above, we do not recommend this product. Because we do not know the brand or the age of this item, only that it was likely made in the last twenty years, we provide this blog post as a non-specific example of cadmium in newer stamped gold.
Improved sourcing practices and product testing can identify and virtually eliminate cadmium from jewelry.
We Prefer:
Gold can be a challenging material to test. It can test positive for contaminants. Unfortunately, most people cannot test their gold jewelry from home so the issue continues without much public awareness.
Mercury and cadmium are sometimes detected in gold jewelry. The levels can vary by piece and some examples of gold are free of both of these metals or the level is extremely trace and not a concern. If you cannot have your products tested or do not want to wear products with trace cadmium or trace mercury, you may wish to choose another metal.
Although I have found cadmium in metals other than gold, newer sterling silver tends to test negative for cadmium and mercury. You may also choose to wear unconventional metal jewelry, like stainless steel or tungsten if you are not allergic to nickel (note: white gold contains nickel as well).
Recommended Chains:
Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. By shopping for any item on Amazon starting with our links, you’ll help support our business and testing.
Note: It is particularly important with jewelry to only select reputable brands. There is a potential for products on third-party marketplaces to be silver plated brass or plastic, and not truly sterling silver. Look for the 925 stamp and buy from reputable manufacturers and businesses.
Amazon Collection Sterling Silver Thin 0.6mm Box Chain Necklace
Why we like it: Sterling silver is a good option in place of white gold. Rhodium plated examples will be less prone to tarnish.
Why we like it: This chain is manufactured in Italy and stamped 925.
Amazon Essentials Sterling Silver Diamond Cut Rope Chain Necklace
Why we like it: This sterling silver chain is from an Amazon brand.
Disclaimers: These items have not always been personally tested by us but are likely to be lead free or low lead and/or cadmium based on our research into the materials, discussions with manufacturers, and/or testing on similar products. We recommend items we would use ourselves.
We provide our XRF testing for general educational or informational purposes only to help consumers identify low lead and lead-free products. We hereby disclaim any and all warranties, expressed or implied, and assume no duty or responsibility with respect to how any person or entity chooses to use the information on this website.