Where To Buy Welded Bracelets In The UK

Style

You don't have to live in the U.S. to tap into this trend.

Welded bracelets are all over social media at the moment. After being introduced on TikTok by a small store in New York, the trend has spread to boutiques on both sides of the pond.While bracelets have become most popular, you can have other jewellery welded onto you too, including anklets, necklaces and even rings. But what about those of us wanting to hop on the trend from the UK? Short of buying a soldering iron and DIYing it, how can you get your hands on welded bracelets in the UK? Here's everything you need to know about the welded jewellery trend.

Welded bracelets are, in short, bracelets that are fitted onto your wrist permanently. There is no open and close clasp to take them on and off; instead, they are a continuous chain that has been welded together by a specialist laser welding machine. The process is super simple, pain-free, and relatively quick.

And fear not; if you get anxiety over not being able to take things off, the bracelet is usually made out of such fine metal that you can remove it with pliers yourself, or return to where you had it put on for a professional removal.

Getting a welded bracelet can mean many things; you can go in with a friend or family member and get matching bracelets to mark your relationship, or make a wish or promise to yourself when getting one alone. The piece of jewellery can really carry meaning as well as looking great.

Like most things these days, it was TikTok that took this trend to new heights. New York brand Catbird was arguably the one to make them super popular, with social media users heading to its store in the Soho district and sharing their experience getting an item of welded jewellery online.

TikTok user @prezleyparker's original video (posted back in July 2021) has already reached 1.6 million likes, with followers going wild for the super cute chain bracelet she had welded around her wrist at Catbird.

Other prominent TikTok users like Anna Sitar also have had a bracelet from the cute store, which caught the attention of not only her followers, but jewellery fans everywhere.

So why now? Kirstie Gibbs, Buying and Brand Director at The Alkemistry, who offer their own welded bracelets, believes it has something to do with new ways we want to invest our cash. "More recently, I believe people are becoming far more mindful and are investing in jewellery that truly does last a lifetime; hence the growth of the trend," she says.

"It is the experience itself that the person has when receiving the welded jewellery and the feeling of celebrating a wish, secret or a memory with this specific piece," add Atelier VM brand founders, Marta Caffarelli and Viola Naj Oleari, who also do welded designs.

As this is a relatively new phenomenon in jewellery, nationwide availability is a little limited, but this is something that will surely continue to spread across the UK.

In the meantime, there are selected destinations where you can get yourself a welded bracelet, along with other welded jewellery pieces such as anklets and necklaces. These include options from the following brands:

Atelier VM offers welded designs in its L’Essenziale collection, which features 18 karat gold anklets, necklaces and bracelets, designed to last a lifetime. The service is available at the Liberty London counter.

With a London base and national pop-up, Lynkd London focuses on minimalist, permanent jewellery in solid 14 karat gold. They create experiences around celebrations, like birthdays for groups, with buying options offered once you’ve booked an experience session. Bracelets start from £139, and they claim they each have a non-tarnish, lasting finish. You can book with Lynkd London here.

Demi-fine jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu now offers welded bracelets (with optional charms) in 9k yellow or white gold for £120 in London and Manchester. You can book an appointment via the website.

Super cute Covent Garden jewellery store The Alkemistry (which stocks only women-owned brands) offers welded bracelets in its Hive collection. You can get a range of materials there (including rose gold), and can have an anklet, ring or necklace if you’d prefer. Book via the website. Prices start at £125.

Ashes With Art offers its welding service in Worthing, West Sussex. The Forever Bracelets come in 9 karat Yellow, Rose or White gold, and cost £195 each, with an additional cost for extra charms.

Describing their welded bracelets as like "permanent friendship bracelets", Under The Rose offer 15-minute welded jewellery fittings at their Surbiton studio in Surrey, and at pop-ups in other areas of the UK. You can choose from yellow or white 9 karat gold, starting at £100, and they have a re-welding service that starts at £10. Email to book at their Surrey base, or find a pop-up date elsewhere.

Also based in Worthing, West Sussex, the Shiny Bomb atelier offers 9 karat yellow, white, and rose gold welded bracelets, starting at £95. You can book an appointment via the website.

Based in Stamford, jewellery brand Morgan & French recently added a welded bracelet bar to their store submitting to the TikTok rage. Dubbed as modern day friendship bracelets with a glamorous twist, the brand offers bracelets in 9 karat yellow and rose gold starting from £110, and in 925 sterling silver from £60. Walk into the store or visit the website to make a booking.

Nestled in West Yorkshire's Hebden Bridge doubles up as a jewellery store and jewellery-making class. And they introduced welded bracelets to their offerings last year, which are priced between £80 and £120, and are available in 9 karat white, yellow, and rose gold chains. You can book an appointment on their website to get infinity bracelets welded on Fridays and Saturdays.

This article was originally published on Oct. 3, 2021