224,000 Children’s Jewelry Kits Recalled Over Hazardous Substance

The products, which were made in China, contain a resin that could cause skin and eye irritation, U.S. officials say.

A Cra-Z-Art Gemex/Gel2Gem jewelry kit. CPSC

U.S. regulators announced that more than 224,000 children’s jewelry-making kits, including ones with Disney branding, have been recalled because they contain a hazardous amount of a liquid resin that could irritate the skin and eyes.

Ten models of the Cra-Z-Art Gemex/Gel2Gem were included in the recall, along with a refill pack, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in a recall notice last week. The kits contain a resin bottle and a UV light, and they come in packaging with the “Cra-Z-Art” brand name and “Gemex,” or “crazy gel2gem,” according to the notice.

All of the products under recall are made in China, the CPSC said on March 27. The importer is LaRose Industries LLC, based in Randolph, New Jersey.

Several of the recalled products have Disney branding, including “Disney Minnie,” “Disney Frozen,” “Disney Little Mermaid,” and “Disney Princess,” the notice said. Images of the recalled products, the recall number, and UPCs can be accessed on the CPSC website.

The recalled kits contain a resin with the chemical hydroxyethylmethacrylate, or HEMA, in levels that are barred under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the CPSC said.

When the resin is liquid, it “can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation or sensitization when inhaled, touched or ingested,” the bulletin said.

“Already created jewelry should be inspected to confirm it is fully cured. If there is liquid or any liquid residue present, the jewelry should not be worn and should be stored away from children. Once cured, the resin no longer presents the hazard,” the notice added.

Consumers are advised to stop using the product and contact LaRose Industries for a refund. The company is contacting known customers directly, the agency said.

The products were sold at locations including T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Target, Joann, and more, as well as online retailers such as Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Target.com. The kits were sold between January 2023 and September 2024, at prices ranging from $13 to $36.

No injuries have been reported so far, according to the agency.

Hydroxyethylmethacrylate is described as a colorless liquid that readily polymerizes but can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or serious eye irritation. If ingested, it can also cause vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.

A recent report shows the number of injuries resulting from recalled products surged last year in the United States, hitting a multiyear high, according to a recent report. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) found 869 injuries connected to products recalled last year, up from 549 injuries reported in 2023. Eight products—including infant swings, bookcases, adult bed rails, and portable power stations—were linked to deaths.

Peter Feldman, acting CPSC chairman, attributed the surge in product warnings primarily to Chinese manufacturers, noting that PIRG found that two-thirds of the products that received warnings in 2024 were imported into the United States by Chinese companies.

“The United States is facing a flood of Chinese consumer products that violate U.S. safety laws,” he said. “When CPSC identifies illegal Chinese goods, the manufacturer is, more often than not, unreachable, unfindable, or uncooperative.”

Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report.