“Forever jewellery” or “permanent jewellery” is the latest accessories trend to arrive in Ireland. Once upon a time, friendship bracelets were commonly made from plaited or woven coloured threads. But now, young friends are displaying their connection to one another with matching bracelets in gold or silver, welded around the wrist so they can’t be easily removed.
Although the idea of having a piece of metal welded to your body may sound a little extreme, the result is rather delicate.
The application of welded bracelets is simple, explains Deirdre Mahony of Heartbreak Social Club, a tattoo and piercing shop on Dublin’s Drury Street and the first to offer the service in Ireland. Customers choose a chain from a range of gold and silver options, which is then custom-sized to fit the wrist. A piece of leather is placed between the metal and arm for protection. A small jumpring is then welded together, meaning the bracelets don’t have a clasp. Et voila. That’s it done.
Chained, the welded jewellery department of Heartbreak Social, opened to bookings earlier this year. It has been popular, says Mahony, who studied jewellery in the National College of Art and Design.
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“I was really excited when I saw them launching Chained because [welded bracelets] were obviously in London and I had seen people getting them but they weren’t here,” she says.
Low maintenance is the main appeal. “If you forget to put jewellery on, you still have something on, so you feel put together without any effort,” she says.
“The main thing is drying them after showering or using lotion. Like any jewellery, don’t leave anything moist sitting on top of them. Once you keep them dry and dry them off after showering, they’ll stay durable and strong.”
What if you need to remove the bracelet for a medical scan? Not a problem, says Mahony. Customers can go back into the shop to get it taken off, and put it back on afterwards.
The chains can also be applied as anklets, which has been a popular option for healthcare workers.
The chains range from 14 carat gold filled to 9 carat solid gold, including a white gold option that Mahony says is a good choice for those who mix gold and silver jewellery, as well as sterling silver. There’s also an option to add a charm, like a snake, lightning bolt, cross, or spiderweb. For people who work with their hands a lot, she recommends a heavier metal for added durability.
While they see many different duos, groups and solo customers coming in to get their forever jewellery, Mahony says the bracelets are most popular among sisters.
“The idea is to come in with friends, family, loved ones, and just share the experience of getting a piece of jewellery together,” she says.
This is what Chloe Wilson, a security officer from Cavan, decided to do with her sister, Megan, before she goes travelling next year.
“I’m going to New York in February and [Megan] wanted us to do something memorable. It’s just a wee token for us to keep connected,” she says.
Wilson lives on a farm and says she “hasn’t caught it or broke it yet”.
“You kind of forget about it. They’re so small and dainty.”
When The Irish Times visits the pink-walled tattoo parlour, Mahony is running couple Kate and Shane through their options.
“She wants matching tattoos,” says Shane.
“This is the closest thing to matching tattoos,” says Kate.
Mahony, as she sizes Kate’s wrist up for her bracelet, says: “We always say it’s a nice in-between.”
“A little less permanent than tattoos,” Kate replies.
Chained is available at the Heartbreak Social Club on Drury Street in Dublin, and the The Ink Collective in Ballintemple, Co Cork, heartbreaksocialclub.ink/chained. Several other jewellers also offer welded jewellery services in Ireland, including Link & Co (Christmas pop-up at Dundrum shopping centre linkandco.ie); Astrid & Miyu, St Anne Street, Dublin 2, eu.astridandmiyu.com; and Dylan Oaks, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, dylanoaks.com.
