what  is a permanent magnet and from which material/materials it is made of

The substances which at room temperature retain their ferromagnetic property for a long period of time are called permanent magnets. 

Materials used to make permanent magnet 

(1) Iron

(2) Steel

(3) Nickel etc.

The making of permanent magnets is an old art. One can hold an iron rod in the North−South direction and hammer it repeatedly. 

One can also hold a steel rod and strike its one end with a bar magnet continually to make it a permanent magnet.