Local permanent jewelry brands offer a lasting approach to sentimentality

Recently there has been a trend towards permanent jewelry. While the word “permanent” can conjure up some anxiety, there is nothing to fear from permanent jewelry. It is simply a necklace, bracelet, ring or anklet without a clasp that is custom fitted and welded together. Three local brands – LINK x LOU, Love Saro and Dainty Permanent Jewelry – explained why this trend has emerged and why permanent jewelry is a lasting option for those looking for a lasting memory. Inspired by jewelers in other cities or simply by pandemic-induced needs for creative outlets, these three brands offer something unique: jewelry that also offers a personal and intimate experience.

LINK x LOU

When LINK x LOU Founder and CEO Jordan Louis “fully considered” flying to New York City for a permanent piece of jewelry, she knew she was on to something. She had seen a bracelet on a friend, from the OG of Permanent Jewelry, New York brand Catbird, and had found nothing like it closer to Denver. Working as a beautician when COVID hit, Louis found his answer by reading a book on female entrepreneurship. Louis explained, “The book said, ‘When there’s a problem and no solution, it’s your business.’ That’s when it hit me. The whole vision of what is now known as LINK x LOU could become, came at that point ”.

She immediately started to set up her business. Louis explained that his brand is meant for “really everyone and everyone, but especially for those who value simplicity and sustainability”. She also really wanted to create an experience for her clients, so that they walk away with not only a new piece of jewelry they care about, but an experience they will remember.

The LINK x LOU “binding” process works as follows: Customers select their chain from one of six different 14k white or yellow gold options. After choosing a bracelet, anklet, ring or necklace, a qualified “Linker” will tailor the piece. After putting the chain on, the Linker then welds the ends of the chain together, creating the permanence of the part. Louis explained that permanent jewelry has “layers of sentimental values. Think modern friendship bracelets, a chain for each child, bridesmaid gifts, a family bonding piece, the list goes on. It’s basically a brighter version of a tattoo for many ”.

According to Louis, permanent jewelry is an enduring practice, providing a more durable option in a world of almost disposable costume jewelry. It uses sustainable jewelry practices and precious metals with the aim of having minimal impact on the environment. For Louis, this means that LINK x LOU produces “pieces forever, not shoddy, shoddy jewelry that will be thrown away after some wear and tear”. LINK x LOU coins are intended for daily wear, are solid gold – not gold filled or gold plated – and are inherently non-toxic. These practices prevent LINK x LOU from wasting resources and allow them to contribute to the global focus on sustainability in the jewelry industry. “We are proud to recycle our scrap metal and support a product that looks good on our wrists and easy on our planet,” Louis explained.

Photo by Jordan Louis.

Louis believes that the popularity of permanent jewelry is due to the fact that it not only offers a quick fashion jewelry solution, but also a hard-hitting sentimental experience. There is meaning behind every step of the LINK x LOU experience. By creating a tailor-made piece without a clasp, the customer makes a series of decisions that apply to him and to him alone. “Our jewelry does not require any removal or additional maintenance because the intention is that it will last as long as you want it to be, unlike traditional jewelry,” she explained. “Whether it’s a daily reminder, a gift from a loved one, or a friendship bracelet shared with a distant sibling or family member, the feeling is always there – all the time. “.

When asked about the brand’s future, Louis explained that she has expansion plans – Los Angeles, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Seattle and Oahu are on the list – but still focuses on who LINK x is. LOU as a business. “My hope is that we maintain the reputation of our passion for connecting not only the ends of our parts to make them permanent, but also our communities, local businesses, friends and family. “

To work with LINK x LOU, follow the brand on Instagram to schedule a private party or solo session or attend one of their pop-ups.

Love Saro

Photo by Kelsey Huffer of Poppy & Co for Boulder Lifestyle March 2021.

Love Saro, based in Boulder, was born, like many brands, out of a need for a creative outlet. When co-founder and designer Sacha Jarmon came out of her isolation on long maternity leave, she was thrown into another stop, this time in early 2020. She found herself doing a lot of beading late in the day. the night after her children went to sleep. Jarmon started photographing his pieces on his artist mother’s marble sculptures and noticed that jewelry and sculpture paired well and the idea for Love Saro was born. The brand was a way for Jarmon and his mother to “create and connect, together and in our community, especially at a time when we need it and want this human connection more than ever,” she said. Explain.

The process of creating Love Saro permanent jewelry begins with measuring to determine the most comfortable fit for bracelets, necklaces, or anklets. Next, the Love Saro team helps customers select design elements including solid 14k and 18k gold and sterling silver chains, gemstone and semi-precious stone charms and more. The team then welds the chain link cut on the client under a microscope with technology that is barely visible to the naked eye and does not touch the skin. It’s a safe and easy process and the end result is a “permanent piece of jewelry, designed to be worn forever,” Jarmon said.

For Jarmon, the pieces of Love Saro are made to be shared and experienced together. “It’s a unique and memorable way to celebrate relationships, milestones and everything in between,” she said. “Because of the shared experience aspect and because you can’t take it off, it’s still with you. It is a special reminder of this shared experience.

Jarmon is actively working on sourcing more sustainable materials for her stones and chains, but this is an area she looks forward to building on. She explained that because the brand is small, it naturally has a small footprint – and she intends to maintain it. Overall, the attention to high quality materials and the permanence of the jewelry inherently makes Love Saro a lasting brand.

Jarmon is proud of the growth she has seen in the first eight months since Love Saro officially opened. “As we approach a semblance of a new normal as a society and weddings and gatherings return, we would like to be more involved in this space. Our permanent jewelry concept is a perfect way to celebrate intimately with the wedding party, or for the guests and really add sparkle to these celebrations with a treasured gift that lasts forever ”, Jarmon explained.

Photo by Kelsey Huffer of Poppy & Co for Boulder Lifestyle March 2021.

To purchase Love Saro jewelry, make an appointment to drop by at Studio Boulder or shop on the website. Love Saro also organizes private events and can host in his studio or make home visits. For more info on Love Saro Colorado pop-ups, follow the brand on Instagram.

Love Saro is located at 2555 49th St Unit 3, Boulder and is open Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment only.

Delicate permanent jewelry

Photo courtesy of Dainty Permanent Jewelry.

For Holly Cummings, owner of Dainty Permanent Jewelry, permanent jewelry can be more sentimental than traditional jewelry because it is a piece meant to be worn for longer. Cummings also thinks of it as a way to define your own personal style. In fact, that’s what inspired her to create the brand. “I was inspired by Catbird, an incredible jeweler in New York, and Atelier VM in Paris. I’ve always been for a simple yet sophisticated style, ”she said.

For Cummings, sustainability is an ubiquitous value when sourcing its materials and thinking about quality. Dainty permanent jewelry uses only durable materials and high quality solid 14k gold for permanent bracelets and non-permanent rings. “I didn’t want something that people would want to take off, or continue to make them smile when they saw it on their wrist,” she explained. By nature, permanent jewelry is long-lasting because, as Cummings described it, “we create a durable, high-quality product that is not worn and thrown away after a short period of time.”

Discussing the growth in popularity of permanent jewelry, Cummings believes this is due to the trend for minimalist jewelry. She explained that her products are for anyone who wants effortless, everyday style. “I hope that feeling resonates with anyone who has a busy lifestyle and doesn’t want to have to think about it. It goes everywhere you go,” she said. get better and the calendars start to fill up, it might be nice to have one less thing to worry about.

For now, Dainty Permanent Jewelry is only available by private appointment or at local pop-ups around Denver. No matter where your date is, the process will be the same: Customers will select their 14k channel, have it tailored to their wrist, and with a ‘quick zap’ it’s permanent until ‘ they don’t want it ”. Cummings explained.

Photo courtesy of Dainty Permanent Jewelry.

As a Colorado native, Cummings looks forward to growing her business on her own turf. Of course, she wants to keep growing her business but doesn’t want to sacrifice the brand or the mission by growing nationwide. His explanation is sincere, “I want every customer to get the same level of service, and I want to know your story! When you make the appointment I’m the one you will be working with and I think that would be difficult to achieve with a significant expansion.Cummings explained how grateful she is for the support her brand has received and she enjoys meeting ‘every person who comes to us’.

To schedule private dates or find out where Dainty Denver will be holding their next pop-up, follow the brand on Instagram.

After speaking with the three founders, it was interesting to note that not only did the pandemic give birth to and support these brands, but the trend towards this type of jewelry has also increased. After a year (more) filled with uncertainty, it seems that many of us are looking for a bit of permanence in our lives. Permanent jewelry also offers experience. As a refreshing departure from direct and insane online shopping, these three brands offer home tours and encourage people to come together to share an experience.