A WARNING has gone out about cheap jewellery which can cause a permanent allergic reaction.

Dorset trading standards offered the advice about anklets, wristwatches, spectacle frames and earrings containing excess amounts of nickel, which could give purchasers a nasty rash.

It follows a court case at Bournemouth Magistrates Court in which two suppliers of jewellery to retailers in Swanage were fined £4,000 between them.

Tiki International Plastics Ltd from Devon was fined £2,000 for supplying defective goods or jewellery containing an excess amount of nickel to a surf shop in Swanage.

When trading standards made a random purchase of the £1.99 anklet, the jewellery was found to contain 160 times the European directive limit of 0.5 micrograms of nickel per square cm.

Octopus Jewellery Ltd was fined £2,000 by magistrates after it supplied necklaces worth £2.99 to Surfari in Swanage. When tested, two necklaces were found to contain eight times and 44 times the recommended level of nickel.

The jewellery had come from Thailand and the USA.

This was the first time that Dorset County Council trading standards has prosecuted such a case since a European directive on recommended nickel levels was imposed in 2000.

Trading standards officer Ivan Hancock said: "People need to be aware of the potential of an allergy to nickel, particularly to that found in cheap jewellery.

"Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergies. Within a few days you can develop a rash which can lead to watery blisters. It can develop into a chronic condition, which lasts all of your life.

"Anyone who suffers a reaction should stop wearing the item immediately and would be advised to contact trading standards.

"Cheap jewellery is more appealing to youths but an allergic reaction does not prevent them wearing the jewellery even though the allergic reaction can get worse. They can become more sensitive to other types of metals as well."

He added: "We would encourage businesses to contact trading standards for advice if in doubt. They can also buy simple testing kits for around £20."

Magistrate Nicholas Munday gave both suppliers credit for taking the products off the market immediately and because there have been no reported cases of serious allergies in Dorset.

First published: August 22