Claire's Boutiques recalls 'Best Friends' charm bracelets over cadmium levels
is recalling 19,000 children's charm bracelet sets sold at its stores nationwide because of high levels of the heavy metal cadmium in the jewelry, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
The China-made "Best Friends" charm bracelet sets were sold in Claire's stores nationwide from February 2009 through January 2010 for about $12 each. Each set had three silver-color chain bracelets with metal pendants with the words, "best," "Friends" or "Forever" on the pendants. The bracelets also have attached heart-shaped lock charms that contain high levels of cadmium, which is toxic if ingested by children.
U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry says long-time exposure to cadmium can also cause kidney, lung and bone damage. No one has been reported hurt because of the bracelets.
CPSC says to immediately take the bracelets away from your child and return the charms or the complete bracelets to any Claire's store for a full refund. For more information, call Claire's at (800) 859-9281 weekdays between 9 a.m.and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
In January, Consumer Ally reported on another jewelry recall -- that one from Disney -- for having high levels of cadmium, which some manufacturers have been adding to jewelry instead of lead. Just days later, Disney recalled another jewelry line for lead content.
