Insider's reporter got a bracelet welded around her wrist at Catbird in New York City.Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
- Permanent jewelry is all the rage right now, with people flocking to shops like Catbird.
- The process involves having a bracelet welded around a person's wrist so that it lasts "forever."
Last year, I surprised my mom with a gift that initially shocked and somewhat disturbed her: matching permanent bracelets from Catbird in Brooklyn.
Most concerning to her was that small, significant word at the start: "permanent." She told me she envisioned something closer to handcuffs than what we got — dainty gold chains welded around our wrists.
Our "forever bracelets" are part of a trend that's only been growing over the past few years. Permanent jewelry has been booming in popularity, with people seeking out shops like Catbird to get permanently accessorized. And while there's some debunking to do about the process (no, it doesn't hurt), there are a few other things to know before booking an appointment.
Here's what to expect when getting your first permanent bracelet.
Getting a permanent bracelet doesn't hurt.
Though the welding produces a flash of light, it doesn't actually hurt. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
The terms "permanent" and "welding" can conjure up some frankly horrifying images of what it might be like to get a welded bracelet. But it's not as barbaric as it sounds.
In reality, an employee welds the bracelet around your wrist, suturing the ends of the chain together so there's no clasp. The welder should never touch your skin or burn you.
At Catbird, they call the process getting "zapped" — referring to the tiny flash of light that happens when the bracelets' ends are welded shut.
Depending on where you go, it can be a bit pricey.
Catbird, one of several jewelry stores now offering permanent jewelry, has many forever bracelets to choose from. Jordan Erb/Insider
My mom and I chose Catbird's paper-clip-patterned bracelets, which cost us $144 each. That's right in the middle of the shop's price range and on par with other shops that offer similar products. Love Weld in New York, for example, also has bracelets starting around $100, according to its website.
At both Love Weld and Catbird, all you pay for is the bracelet. The welding service is free.
Booking ahead of time makes the short appointment quicker and easier.
The welding only took about seven minutes in total. Jordan Erb/Insider
I booked our appointments beforehand, which I'd recommend doing to beat the lines at whatever shop you go to. That helped us have a speedy experience. Between the time we entered and exited, we were in Catbird for less than 30 minutes.
As for the welding process, it took the employee about seven minutes to "zap" my mom's bracelet and just slightly longer to do mine. The employees were sure to ask if we wanted our bracelets tight, loose, or somewhere in between and took time to measure and fit them.
You should be able to wear it through airport security and to get X-rays.
The bracelet is an easy go-to accessory, since it can't be removed. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
The bracelets are so small that you shouldn't have problems wearing them through airport security or taking an X-ray.
I've traveled nonstop since getting my jewelry and have had one X-ray, and neither warranted removing the bracelet.
Catbird's bracelets, made of 14-karat gold, should last a long time.
Both my mom and I were thrilled with our matching bracelets. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider
My bracelet is still intact more than a year after our appointment, but my mom's bracelet broke earlier this year. Catbird will reweld the bracelet for $10.
My bracelet still looks as good as the day I got it. Made of 14-carat gold, it shouldn't tarnish, and I haven't had to clean it since getting it.
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