What Is Infinity Jewelry? Everything You Need to Know
What Is Infinity Jewelry? Here's Why You Need to Try Out This Dainty Trend
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Infinity jewelry — sometimes called forever jewelry, permanent jewelry, or welded-on jewelry — is having a moment. It's been all over TikTok recently, perhaps because getting a piece of infinity jewelry is more of an experience than just ordering a bracelet online or trying on a necklace at a store.
If you've never heard of the jewelry trend before, you're probably wondering what exactly goes into getting infinity jewelry — and the term "welded-on" can seem a little intense. So, we chatted with Schyler Gately, the jeweler behind LA-based Susumi Studio and one of a handful of people offering infinity jewelry, to break down the process of getting one of these dainty pieces.
What Is Infinity Jewelry?
Infinity jewelry is made from a small chain with links that are microwelded together, so that there is no clasp, meaning it's not something you can take on and off regularly (that's why it's often called permanent). It's definitely something that takes an expert to create, so there aren't many jewelers who offer the service. Besides Gately in Los Angeles, Catbird in Brooklyn is the most well-known place to get "zapped," as they call it.
Gately said she learned how to weld and started making this kind of jewelry because clasps have always felt clunky. "I love chains because they're super classic, but with so many options and variations, everyone can find something they love," she said. "I think there are a lot of people like me who want pieces of jewelry that aren't fussy or irritating and that provoke a memory every time they look at it. It's a fun experience, and you come away with a beautiful, lasting piece of jewelry."
Gately said many people come to her requesting matching friendship bracelets or couple's jewelry; "That's what I love about it. Couples come in to commemorate an anniversary, friends come in for matching jewels, and both men and women come back multiple times to stack different styles and colors."
What Is Microwelding?
"Welding uses an electrical current to generate heat to fuse metal together," Gately said. "Because it's powered by electricity and not fire, it uses so little heat you can't feel it."
Any metal can be welded, but Gately said she only uses solid gold for infinity jewelry since it doesn't tarnish with sweat or water and is very gentle on your skin. Gately specifically uses 18K yellow gold, 14K white gold, and 14K rose gold, and she makes bracelets, anklets, and necklaces — plus, you can add on white diamond and pearl charms as well.
Keep reading to see the process of getting an infinity bracelet firsthand — including a spark of electricity!
What to Expect During Your Appointment
At your appointment, you'll first pick out your chain. There are a ton of options to choose from here — you could stay simple with one single chain, have two different chain types welded together for a half-and-half look, mix the metals, or add on a tiny diamond or pearl charm. For my bracelet, I went with all yellow gold — half made from the thin flat chain and half from the thin cable chain and added on a pearl charm.
The price of your piece will depend on how much chain you use, the types of chain you pick, and the metal you want. For example, a bracelet made from the thin flat cable chain in 18K yellow gold starts around $120, and necklaces can range from $300 to $700.
Once you've chosen your chain, Gately will measure your wrist, neck, or ankle and chat with you about how tight or loose you want it (a perk of seeing Gately is her tiny dog, Mouse, who will sit on your lap during the appointment). Despite the chains being very delicate, Gately said they're pretty hearty. Speaking from experience, I've had one of her chains on my other wrist for over a year with no issues.
"I do warn my anklet wearers that they have to be super careful taking off socks and boots as anklets are in a much more vulnerable place," Gately said. "Otherwise, the only maintenance if you love shiny gold is to give it a polish with a polishing cloth every once in a while."
Welding Your Infinity Jewelry
Time for the main attraction — the spark! The tiny zap of electricity doesn't hurt or give you a shock. In fact, it's so tiny you have to really be watching closely to see the flash. Once the metal is welded to Gately's satisfaction, all that's left to do is give it a polish, and you're ready to go.
If you ever need to take your jewelry off, you can cut one of the links with sharp scissors or wire cutters. "I can pop it back on any time as long as you hold on to the chain," Gately said.
