Permanent jewelry artists share 3 red flags you should never ignore when getting a welded bracelet

• Permanent jewelry has been a major style trend since 2022.
• There are three red flags you should be aware of when visiting a welded bracelet studio.

Permanently jewelry is a trend that blew up in 2022, with people from across the world posting on social media about getting bracelets welded onto their wrists at specialist studios.

But that doesn't mean you should get one without doing your own research, according to a permanent jewelry artist.

Lauren Grant is the founder of B51 Boutique, a company based in Glasgow, Scotland, that specializes in vintage jewelry and welded bracelets, anklets, and necklaces.

I visited Grant at her studio on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow's city center to learn about the three red flags you should look out for when getting permanent jewelry.

The studio should offer protective glasses

Permanent bracelets, also known as forever bracelets or welded bracelets, are applied to the wrist without a clasp using a laser weld. However, a clasp can be provided if the client knows in advance that they will have to remove the bracelet, Grant said.

When visiting Grant and her colleague, Joanna, at the studio, I was given the opportunity to get a £35, or around $42, rose-gold welded bracelet. I was offered a pair of protective glasses, which Grant says all studios should offer when a laser is being used because it can be harmful to your eyes.

"If they don't offer you that, there's an issue," she said. "It's a small flash, and to be fair, it's minimal that anything should happen, but you should have safety glasses on."

You should be told how to take care of your bracelet

Permanent jewelry artists should be able to answer any questions you have about your bracelet, including how it's made and how to clean it, according to Grant and Joanna.

Both artists had multiple permanent bracelets on their arms, and they said how often you clean them depends on the individual. For example, if you are a person who sweats often, you should clean your jewelry regularly, they said.

They recommend using a black latex glove and rolling it under the bracelet so it isn't touching your skin while cleaning products are being applied. Then, they said you can use a toothbrush to apply bicarbonate of soda and vinegar before rinsing with water.

The entire process should take around two minutes and you should be able to see the dirt from the bracelet on the toothbrush afterwards, they said.

Check if the studio has an exchange or recall policy

Grant said a major red flag is if a studio doesn't have an exchange or recall policy in case something is wrong with the bracelet.

Speaking from personal experience, she said the company once had to recall a chain because the supplier had mistakenly advertised it as gold-filled, rather than gold-plated. But if a studio isn't willing to fix an issue, that's something you should be aware of before booking an appointment.

Grant said this is especially important when considering how much money you are willing to spend on an item. While B51 Boutique's permanent bracelets are under $100, some studios charge a lot more.

"Can you afford to spend that money, but not have that bracelet on?" Grant said, referring to the possibility of the bracelet becoming damaged or broken.

"Think about that because nothing is permanent. We don't call them permanent bracelets — I know that's the trend, but we call them welded bracelets. They are welded on, and if you keep it on forever, great, but nothing's forever," she said.