What You Need To Know About The Permanent Jewelry Craze

You have probably been told often never to get someone's name — especially a romantic partner's name — tattooed on you, and for a good reason: Getting a permanent marking of what could be a temporary relationship is a recipe for potential regrets. But what if you want to commemorate your special bond with someone in a lasting way? Is there anything that feels sentimental and long-lasting but without remorse if things go south? Enter the permanent jewelry craze.

Seen on celebrities like Meghan Markle and Jessica Alba, permanent jewelry is a recent trend that many can't get enough of. People who get permanent jewelry (or jewelry that is welded shut rather than clasped) frequently opt for bracelets, but necklaces, rings, and anklets are available at select retailers. 

Permanent jewelry allows you to mark a special occasion or celebrate a relationship in a durable and long-lasting way — but not quite as permanent as, say, a tattoo. Since permanent jewelry can be easily removed, it doesn't carry the same risks as tattooing. In fact, many people, such as Karly Delatorre, who got a permanent bracelet as a Valentine's Day present from her husband, find permanent jewelry to be a "perfect middle ground" per (Vox). "The bracelet is far more sparkly than any tattoo and seems more timeless to me. I can picture myself getting tired of a tattoo on my wrist, but the sweet dainty chain matches everything and just makes me look more put-together," Delatorre said. 

If you've seen videos of someone getting a permanent bracelet, you may have been slightly horrified. After all, the person welding the bracelet shut is wearing safety glasses, and there is a distinctive "spark" as the metal is welded together that looks a little scary.

However, even though Catbird calls the bracelet welding process "zapping," there is open flame in the welding process and – more importantly – no pain involved. A writer for Insider, Jordan Parker Erb, shared her experience getting a permanent bracelet at Catbird, and she admitted, "Even though I knew it wasn't supposed to hurt, there were still brief moments where I thought the zap might burn me." Erb reassures readers that her fears were unfounded, as the welding process was completely painless. It was also a quick process: "It was over in a flash," she wrote. Erb said the person who welded her bracelet told her there had never been an incident of zapping damaging a person's skin in the five years since Catbird began doing permanent bracelets.

By far the most common type of permanent jewelry is bracelets, but other types of permanent embellishments are catching on. The company Love Weld, for example, offers permanent necklaces in several cities across the United States, from New York City to San Antonio. Marisa Mason offers permanent anklets (and bracelets) in Oakland and Santa Barbara.

When it comes to the jewelry itself, most retailers offer permanent jewelry in gold since it is durable and won't stain or discolor the skin. Catbird, for example, offers select styles in white gold, rose gold, and traditional yellow gold. For those looking for an extra-sparkly embellishment, Catbird allows customers to add a diamond or star charm to their chain for an added cost. Chain types also vary depending on the specific retailer. Still, Catbird's selection includes the finest, delicate chains to sturdier box chains and even an adorable chain of tiny hearts (hello, Valentine's Day present!).

The idea behind permanent jewelry is that it's, well, permanent. According to Vox, they can last a "lifetime." Catbird's Chief Creative Officer Leigh Plessner told The Zoe Report, "Our Forever Bracelets are all made from solid 14k gold, which is very low-fuss and won't stain your skin or lose its golden gleam. I've been wearing some of my Forever Bracelets for five-ish years, and I've never done anything to them, aside from occasionally snipping a tangled thread or fuzz from it."

Despite the long-lasting nature of the jewelry, your mileage may vary. There's always a chance your bracelet will get caught on something and snap or wear down quickly if you work a lot with your hands. On Reddit, one user who got permanent jewelry said, "I have one on my ankle that I got with my best friend. Hers already snagged onto something and came off. Mine hasn't!" Another user noted, "The whole concept is not for people who love sauna and swimming a lot I guess." For most people, a permanent bracelet can withstand daily life, including showering, washing dishes, swimming, and most other activities. However, it's a good idea to consider your lifestyle before going for permanent jewelry.

Despite the name, permanent jewelry can be taken off if you decide you don't want to wear it anymore. It's as easy as cutting the bracelet off with a pair of scissors, according to Byrdie. There are some situations where you'd need to take the bracelet off — an MRI is one example. But generally, the bracelets are not an issue in most situations and will not set off metal detectors in airport security or elsewhere.

The permanent-ish nature of this jewelry is a big part of its appeal. "The thing I like about these," Sriya Karumanchi, Catbird's marketing manager, said (via Vox), "is that it's permanence with an easy opt-out option. A lot of times, when we talk about permanence, we get overwhelmed with the idea of making a decision that we will later come to regret. This is something that you can put on and it will stay with you loyally until a time in which you prefer to not have it."

Permanent jewelry is for anyone! According to Catbird cofounder Rony Vardi (per Byrdie), "After a few record turnouts, we knew it was a service meant to be offered in the shops. We love the community it's created — there's countless photos we're sent of sisters, daughters and moms, couples, and friends all commemorating something with the Forever Bracelet."

While permanent jewelry is a sweet and sentimental idea for couples, it's equally appropriate for best friends, as evidenced by Julia West (via Vox). West said: "I have a best friend of almost 20 years now and we grew up together. She and I always tried to do friendship bracelets, and every single time, she would lose the other half of the heart or the locket, so we stopped doing it. ... I messaged her on Instagram and I was like, 'Oh, my god, Katie, now you can never lose it.'" According to Vox, the two best friends went on to get permanent bracelets, and West said, "it's really special to have something that is so permanent. I mean, I know that it is able to come off if I need it to, but it's a nice reminder that she's there, and she has the same one."

If you're wondering if permanent jewelry stays looking good, it really just depends on where you get your permanent jewelry done and how well you care for it. As you can probably guess, opting for a cheaper piece of permanent jewelry made from a material other than gold means there is no guarantee that the jewelry will hold up over time.

Shelling out a bit more money for a high-quality material can ensure that the jewelry will not rust, change colors, or stain your skin; higher-priced retailers like Catbird guarantee your jewelry will stay looking new for years. "Because we work in 14k solid gold, you can truly sweat, sleep, swim and live life in your Forever Bracelet without worrying about fade and tarnish," Catbird cofounder Rony Vardi said (via Byrdie). "Essentially you wake up everyday to an unfussy but shimmering jewelry look built in."