Aug 08, 2023
Permanent Jewelry: Fashion Trend for Friends and Family
By Shanna O’Mara
Gone are the days of friends weaving bracelets around each other’s wrists, vowing never to take them off or jeopardize their bond. A new trend in stylish and symbolic fashion has taken over: permanent jewelry. These welded bracelets, anklets and necklaces are often delicate pieces that are “zapped” in person at a permanent jewelry shop. Friends, siblings, parents and more are opting to get zapped together, sharing an experience and a statement piece that will last.
Many trace the beginning of permanent jewelry to the Cartier Love Bracelet, originally designed by the French jewelry house’s Aldo Cipullo in 1969. Catbird in New York City was the first shop in the area to offer permanent bracelets, selling them since 2017. The store coined the term “zapping” to describe how the jewelry is welded together. Catbird’s Forever Bracelet is “a classic, sparkly, solid 14k gold bracelet custom fit and welded around your wrist by a Catbird jeweler,” according to the company website. Bracelets can be personalized with the charms, initials and gems to make it unique. “It will have no clasp, creating a seamless and long-lasting piece that is truly yours. It’s there to sparkle and shine and make you happy!”
Zapping a piece onto a client takes mere seconds and is painless. Permanent bracelets, anklets and necklaces often last years without having to be rewelded. If someone chooses to remove their jewelry, all they have to do is snip the chain with a pair of scissors or visit a shop to have an expert clip the metal.
Local shops that offer permanent jewelry services include Arm Vibes in Asbury Park, Marigold in Asbury Park, Linked Local NJ in Toms River and Forever Golden in Brielle.
Link Up Jewelry, headquartered in Highland Park, often does pop-up events where walk-ins are welcome to try out the trend. Upcoming events in Monmouth County are listed below. These are walk-in only sessions, meaning appointments are not necessary.
Saturday, Aug. 19
House of Glam
28 E Main St., Freehold
Noon to 4 pm
Sunday, Aug. 20
Playa Bowls
4701 Route 9, Howell Township
11 am to 3 pm
Saturday, Aug. 26
Pickle for Paws Tournament
New Shrewsbury Racquet Club
71 Gilbert St., Tinton Falls
5 to 8 pm
Sunday, Aug. 27
On Violet Boutique
Freehold Raceway Mall
11 am to 3 pm
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