Permanent jewellery is a type ofjewellery oradornment that is worn continuously for a significant period, and is designed to be difficult or impossible for the wearer to remove at will. Unlikepiercings, which involve permanent or semi-permanentbody modification and are removable but are often continuously worn, permanent jewellery is fitted around a body part so it is impossible to remove without being broken or unfastened with special tools. Permanent jewellery has held cultural, religious, and social meanings since at least the 11th century BCE.
A number ofindigenous cultures include permanent jewellery in their practices. Examples includeneck rings and anklets worn by theKayan people, andtorcs in various cultures. The brass rings of the Kayan people can be taken off but are usually only removed to add a new, longer coil to encourage stretching of the neck.[citation needed]
Khalsa (meaning "pure and sovereign") is the collective name given by Guru Gobind Singh,[1][2] to those Sikhs who have been fully initiated by taking part in a ceremony calledammrit sañcār (nectar ceremony).[3] During this ceremony, sweetened water is stirred with a double-edged sword while liturgical prayers are sung; it is offered to the initiating Sikh, who ritually drinks it.[3] Many Sikhs are not formally and fully initiated, as they do not undergo this ceremony, but do adhere to some components of Sikhism and identify as Sikhs. The initiated Sikh, who is believed to bereborn, is referred to asAmritdhari or Khalsa Sikh, while those who are not initiated or baptised are referred to as Kesdhari or Sahajdhari Sikhs.[3][4]
This ceremony first took place onVaisakhi, which fell on 30 March 1699, atAnandpur Sahib, Punjab.[3] On that occasion, Gobind Singh baptised thePañj Piārē – the five beloved ones, who in turn baptised Guru Gobind Singh. To males who initiated, the last name Singh, meaning "lion", was given, while the last name Kaur, meaning "princess", was given to baptised Sikh females.[3]
Baptised Sikhs wear five items, called thefive Ks (in Punjabi known aspañj kakkē orpañj kakār), at all times. The five items are:kēs (uncut hair),kaṅghā (small wooden comb),kaṛā (circular steel or iron bracelet),kirpān (sword/dagger), andkacchera (special undergarment).[3] The five Ks have both practical and symbolic purposes.[5]
Removal of thekaṛā is permitted by religious writing but in practice, few remove the bracelet.[citation needed] Often, the bracelet is put on at a young age, and becomes difficult or impossible to remove as the wearer grows.
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(November 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
.jpg)
A common use of permanent jewellery is to show love to someone and as a reminder in their absence.Lockets andfriendship bracelets are usually easily removed but continuous wearing is meaningful to some, and seen as a show of gratitude and connection.
In 1969,Aldo Cipullo created thelove bracelet, which requires a special tool to open and close.[6] Cipullo said: "What modern people want are love symbols that look semi-permanent – or, at least, require a trick to remove. After all, love symbols should suggest an everlasting quality."[6] The removal tool, a screwdriver, is also available as a piece of jewellery to be worn by the person who gifted the bracelet.
Engagement rings andwedding rings are the commonest forms of permanent jewellery. Most people rarely or never remove their wedding rings, and it is common to bury corpses with themstill worn. Some types of engagement rings are designed to accompany or complete the wedding ring. The use of soft metals such as gold causes the rings to shape to the wearer over time, making them more comfortable to wear for longer periods and sometimes making them harder to remove.
Some items become considered permanent jewelry by the owner, even though removing them is trivial. A common example is continually wearing[7] a deceased person's wristwatch to feel close to them.[8]
.jpg)
The slaves andconcubines of wealthy tyrants were sometimes forced to permanently wear affixed jewellery like metal collars and bangles. This is a luxury version of shackles, collars, chains, or cuffs that aretypical with chattel slavery. These adornments identified the wearer as a slave, prevent their escape, and sometimes encourage their kidnapping and return to slavery. Many items of this type, including theMoregine bracelet, have been found by archaeologists.[9]
Newer examples of permanent or semi-permanent jewellery includetoe rings,medical bracelets, anddog tags. Some toe rings are shaped like a miniature open bangle, allowing the wearer to pinch it down to size for long-term wear.
Tooth gems are a semi-permanent jewellery that last months or years.[10][11][12] Tooth gems are usually made of gemstones, precious metals, ortitanium. Tooth gems are affixed to the tooth using chemicals.
In 2020, a viral trend of permanent chain bracelets took off.[13] The thin, metal, chain lengths are cut close to wrist size then welded together on the wearer's arm, leaving no visible clasp. These bracelets can only be removed by breaking or cutting a link. The practice has existed since at least 2017.[14]
| This sectionneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(July 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
BDSM collars are often permanent jewellery made of leather, silicone, and metal. BDSM collars come with visible, heart-shaped locks or loops that are designed to fit a standard lock. "Collaring" someone is akink ritual[15][16] and often, regardless of the design, the wearer must ask the person who placed it to remove it.[16] In situations where a BDSM collar might cause unwanted attention or discomfort, a "day collar" is often worn instead. Some day collars include subtle aspects of BDSM collars like metal O rings.
Some companies like Eternity make metal BDSM-focused collars and bracelets that can be bolted together. The simple shapes used emphasize the appearance of the jewellery as singular piece.
Chastity belts and cages are another example of long-term kink wear. They are usually designed to be locking,tamper evident, or both. The person who owns the key is called the keyholder. Chastity belts and cages are usually designed to be as comfortable as possible, allowing the wearer to sleep, shower, and toilet themselves while wearing.
A ritual - say, putting on and taking off a collar - can serve to define the rules of play and the boundaries between you.
For a slave-type scene, you can have a ritual of putting on the' bottom's collar: many tops like to have their bottoms kneel at their feet and kiss the collar before it is placed around the bottom's neck.