I found a high street shop that made viral welded bracelets for £90 cheaper than Selfridges

Welded bracelets that are permanently attached to your wrist have taken TikTok and the world by storm. The trend first emerged in 2014, when Italian brand Atelier VM developed its L’Essenziale bracelet in 18-carat gold, which is said to be the first bracelet in the history of jewelry manufacturing that is welded directly to the body.

In 2019, Astrid and Miyu launched their permanent jewelery welding service, with locations in Selfridges, Trafford’s Centre, as well as London and Bristol, among others. But at £130 for the cheapest option, they’re certainly not cheap.

Luckily, I spotted a retailer now offering gorgeous bracelets designed to be worn forever for just £40 – much cheaper than the Selfridges version. H Samuel’s recently launched welding service is designed for jewelery fans looking for a new, budget-friendly shiny wrist feature, reports Somerset Live.

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The welded bracelets have been designed not to come off. Instead of closing with a clasp, a chain is welded around the shopper’s wrist. This creates a “seamless design” that cannot be easily removed and is meant to be worn all the time, according to the H Samuel website. “But don’t worry, if you change your mind, permanent jewelry can be removed simply by cutting it.”

H Samuel’s ‘Perfect Weld’ permanent jewelery service is available to customers up to seven years of age. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The trial takes place in a 30-minute in-store appointment at selected H Samuel locations including Kent, Essex, London, Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and Sheffield.

A spokesperson for H Samuel said: “Our trained welding experts will help you choose your chain, choose your charms and measure your wrist to find the desired length for welding. Then it’s time to get welded. The process only takes a few minutes as the chain is welded around the wrist.

“The high heat used by our laser closes the loop in such a way that it does not unfold and a fastener is not needed. The outcome? A permanent piece of jewelry you’ll want to wear forever.”

Permanent jewelery from H Samuel is made from 925 silver, filled with 14/20 gold and 9ct white, yellow and rose gold, rather than common metals or cheap alloys, to reduce the likelihood of skin reactions. H Samuel claims you can even swim and shower in the permanent jewellery, promising it’s “durable and designed to be worn continuously”.

However, it warns that prolonged exposure to chlorine can weaken the weld point of permanent jewelry, so it is advisable to rinse it with clean water after swimming in chlorinated or salt water and then dry it gently.

“The best thing about permanent jewelery is that it is welded and designed to be worn forever,” the spokesperson said. “But if you need to remove it, you can visit us in store to have it trimmed by someone from our dedicated welding team, or carefully at home using nail clippers.”

The price will vary depending on the material, finish and type of chain you choose, as well as any charms you add to the piece. There is no charge for H Samuel’s welding service – buyers only pay for the permanent jewelery they choose. Prices for permanent bracelets start from £40 and bracelets from £30.

Welded jewelery is currently available at H Samuel stores in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent, Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock, Metrocentre in Gateshead, Liverpool One, Oxford Circus, Birmingham Bullring and Sheffield Meadowhall. To book an appointment, visit the H Samuel website.

Alternatively, Astrid and Miyu offer a jewelery welding service at locations across the UK, including Selfridges in the Trafford Centre. Prices start from £40 for the ring and £130 for a bracelet.