The bu zzy permanent jewelr y trend has found its way to St. Loui s.

Permanent jewelry is all about bonding. In the literal sense, it’s claspless bracelets, necklaces and anklets that are welded together by a jeweler In the more sentimental sense, it’s the connection created with your loved ones by marking a special occasion or celebrating a milestone with a pretty, shiny, forever accessory

“It’s like taking jewelry and making it an experience,” says Michelle Sanders, co-owner of Bowood Lane jewelry. “As we look at trends, they continue to move toward those more experiential occasions, and I think anytime you can do something experiential and have something you take away from it, like a beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s a win-win.”

Sanders and co-owner Hailee Pate first started offering Lane Links, their permanent jewelry service, in September. Although permanent jewelry isn’t a historically new concept, it gained recent popularity over the past five years thanks to videos on TikTok. The social media platform is where Sanders and Pate were first exposed to the concept – and they immediately knew it would be a perfect complement to their current collections.

“We’re known for our easy-on, easy-off stretch bracelets that everyone can wear daily,” Pate says. “Permanent jewelry filled that hole in our designs and offerings, especially for the younger crowd We knew we needed a daintier bracelet style, and permanent jewelry was really picking up in larger cities, so we thought, let’s bring this to St. Louis.”

Unlike others around town who offer the service at pop-ups and private events, Bowood Lane has a dedicated space in its Ballwin studio to “get linked ” After making an appointment on the website, it’s a quick 20- to 30-minute process from start to finish.

“ You’re in, you pick out your chain, we custom-fit it to your wrist (or wherever) and how you prefer it be worn, weld the jump ring to that size, add more chains or charms, and then you ’ re out the door,” Pate says.

Any typical adornment can be made permanent, including bracelets, necklaces, anklets and even rings, according to Sanders and Pate, who had to learn to weld different metals together at various heat levels before they could start selling permanent jewelry. The chain can either be made out of .925 sterling silver or 14-karat gold, which is the most popular option. Bowood Lane consistently offers about 10 different chain thickness and style options, as well as various gemstones, birthstones, letters and other charms that can be added when you get linked or at a later date. The silver chain is $45, but most are $55, with a few more luxe chains in the $75 or $100 range. This Valentine’s Day, the store is offering a sweet, delicate permanent chain made of linked hearts, as well as pink sapphire gemstone charms and

Valentine’s-themed stretch bracelets across their Lane Luxe, Lane Leisure and Lane Limitless house brand collections.

The name “permanent jewelry ” is a bit of a misnomer, as the jewelry can be easily removed if necessary in instances such as surgery or X-rays. Bowood Lane offers rewelding for a small fee, though Sanders and Pate say they haven’t had to do so yet. The bracelets can go through TSA security without needing to be removed and won’t tarnish in the shower.

“Some people think it’s this big commitment like a tattoo, especially if it’s a surprise gift,” Sanders says. “Once they realize what it is, how effortless it is and how easy it is to wear, they get on board and love it. And they always come back for more chains and charms! It’s like a tattoo in that sense – once you get one, you want more. ”

The pair says that though permanent jewelry first took off with the company ’ s younger customers, the majority of recent customers are groups of two to five in the 30 to 60 age range. Often, customers are getting linked as a bridesmaids’ gift or wedding favor, or they’ re celebrating a college sendoff, graduation, anniversary or birthday.

“We’ve had people coming in celebrating 40th birthdays with three other girlfriends, and then they’ll go to lunch and make a day of it,” Pate says. “We’ve had a great-grandmother and three generations of daughters come in and all get linked together for a special bonding moment ”

Although Bowood Lane doesn’t have a waitlist currently, the service is extremely popular and certain chain styles are hard to keep in stock due to high demand, especially around holidays. Permanent jewelry linking is offered by appointment-only on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and one Saturday per month. The shop’s specialists can also visit you at your house or private party by request. All Bowood Lane jewelry is handmade at its studio and retail space, which opened in Nov. 2021, and you can also find a selection of its Bowood Lane collections around the metro area at J.A. Whitney in Town and Country, Story Seven in Webster Groves and Pleated Boutique in St. Charles, as well as 50 boutiques nationally. Since its founding in March 2020, and especially throughout the following pandemic years, Bowood Lane has emphasized accessories that are as livable as they are luxurious.

“Like with our stretch bracelets, it was so important for us to have products that are easy to put on or keep on; moms can do it while they’ re multitasking and running around trying to get the kids out the door – because no one has time to do all the clasps,” Sanders says

“Easy-to-wear jewelry is definitely our bread and butter,” Pate adds. “Permanent jewelry is the perfect extension of that.”

Bowood Lane, 14615 Manchester Road #102, Ballwin, bowoodlane.com