Nobody likes to hear that the thing permanently attached to their wrist can break. But understanding breakage is the difference between a frustrating surprise and a five-minute fix. Here is the honest truth about what breaks permanent jewelry and what to do when it happens.
The Short Answer
Yes, permanent jewelry can break. No jewelry chain is indestructible, and "permanent" describes how it is worn, not an unbreakable material. Permanent jewelry breaks most often when the chain is pulled, caught, or stretched — on zippers, clothing, gym equipment, or by intentional force. A broken chain is not a sign of a bad weld; in most cases the chain is still in one piece and can simply be rewelded.
What actually causes breakage
Almost all permanent jewelry breakage comes from force. Chains get caught on zippers, rings, clothing, and gym equipment; they get pulled or stretched; they snag on bag straps and doorknobs. Delicate chains in particular can stretch when pulled hard. Intentional pulling, catching, and stretching are the common causes. The weld itself is strong — the chain link failing under tension is the much more common story.
Breaking is not a weld failure
It is worth separating two things. A weld failure is when the connecting ring itself does not hold. Actual breakage is a chain link giving way under force. Both are fixable: if your Oh She Linked chain comes apart and you still have the chain, we reweld it for free at one of our events. The jewelrys life is not over when a link breaks.
How to keep a chain from breaking
The habits are simple: do not pull or stretch the chain, be mindful around clothing, zippers, and gym equipment, and take care when taking shirts and jackets over your head. Thicker, sturdier chains resist force better than ultra-delicate ones. Treat it like fine jewelry that happens to never come off, and you remove most of the risk.
What to do if yours breaks
First, save every part of the chain if you can. Then contact Oh She Linked with a photo of the break point. If it is a piece you got from us and you have the chain, we reweld it for free. If it is a chain from another company, we offer a one-time rewelding service for a small fee — waived if you purchase a new piece from us at the same time. Breakage is an inconvenience, not the end of the jewelry.
Bring this to your next permanent jewelry 101 in West Michigan
We travel with everything — chains, charms, and artists. Minimum 10 guests, a $100 reservation fee to hold your date, plus free host rewards once your guests get linked.
