Permanent jewelry now available in THE BLOCK

RIO RANCHO — When people hear about permanent jewelry, soldered chains into their skin comes to mind. But Link Link Jewelry, now open in THE BLOCK, would disagree.

“I always loved jewelry, but I was losing it so many times because it has a clasp to take on and off, and then one day I saw somebody doing permanent jewelry. I ended up getting one, and I was like, ‘Hey, you know what? I can do that,’” owner Isiah Perez said.

Perez settled into his shop recently and is happy to have his passion become a full-time thing.

“I started doing it as just like a little side thing, then I got more invested into it by doing pop-up events in the local areas of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Bernalillo. I was also doing a lot of pop-up events in the state of Arizona as well,” he said.

He didn’t anticipate getting a storefront so soon, but when the opportunity came up to have a shop in THE BLOCK, he seized the opportunity.

“With it being very community driven and wanting to have that small mom-and-pop shop and give them that opportunity, that’s why I like THE BLOCK so much. The owner, Amy, is amazing and everybody that works here are awesome. They’re very supportive and helped me out through all the process,” he said.

Permanent jewelry is made to comfortably fit and has no clasp. Perez explained that the chains for bracelets, necklaces, rings and anklets won’t tarnish and don’t damage easily.

“Permanent jewelry is going to be a custom piece of what you want. So you can pick out any chain, any style, anything that you want, add any kind of fun charms or diamonds on there. Then they’re soldered on. You can wear it all the time; they’re going to be tarnish-free metal,” he explained.

Perez carries different types of materials, so the item people get is only as expensive as they make it.

“I also have more cost-efficient ones for every type of budget because I see a lot of permanent jewelry out there that only caters to the higher demographic. I want to cater to everyone,” he said.

He carries several options like sterling silver, gold-filled silver, and then some gold. But the part that sets Link Link apart from other jewelry places is the experience people get at his shop.

“A lot of people come in — family, members moms and daughters best friends. I have newlyweds that come in all the time. Rather than just doing the cliche jewelry, and you go to the jewelry store — granted, they have beautiful stuff — but this is something where it’s an experience, you get to talk with the owner. That’s me, and we really build upon what you’re wanting. So, it’s a whole fun experience. You pick out your jewelry, you pick out your charms, and then I weld it on,” he said.

The most time-consuming part is the customization. Once customers have picked them out, Perez says it takes about five to 10 minutes to complete the process.

“You can come out and get any jewelry option as a bracelet, necklace, ring or anklet. I’d love to see all you beautiful people from Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas,” he said as a message to the community.

For more information, visit linklinkpermanentjewelry.godaddysites.com.