| Yes, Celtic Jewelry is Beautifully Designed ... but it | | | | sometimes set with synthetic gems such as cubic |
| also has a purpose. | | | | zirconia. |
| Jewelry has existed since prehistoric times, | | | | Since ancient times, Celtic jewelry has been |
| probably originating as a method to fasten clothes | | | | famous for its beauty and its fine craftsmanship. |
| together (such as a Celtic kilt clasp, brooch or | | | | Many different types of Celtic jewelry incorporate |
| buckle) and as a way to store and later display | | | | "Celtic knots," the beautiful, stylized |
| wealth. Although some jewelry still has functional | | | | representations of endless knots that were used |
| purposes, now it is most often worn in order to | | | | by ancient Celts to symbolize their pagan religious |
| enhance a person's appearance. | | | | beliefs. |
| But in addition to personal adornment, certain | | | | A Celtic cross, encrusted with diamonds, is a |
| types of jewelry are able to convey a particular | | | | particularly striking piece. But many other |
| symbolic meaning about the people who wear | | | | well-known Celtic design elements, such as the |
| them. | | | | Tree of Life, the Trinity Knot, dragons (especially |
| For example, wearing a piece of Celtic jewelry is | | | | Welsh dragons) and the Claddagh design can be |
| almost always intended to signify that the person | | | | incorporated into Celtic jewelry. |
| wearing it traces his or her ancestry to the Celts. | | | | Clasps, pins and brooches, buckles, rings, |
| Celtic jewelry is often worn to indicate that a | | | | bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, and, most notably, |
| person is proud of being a Celt. The design of | | | | torcs, are classic, traditional pieces ofCeltic |
| Celtic jewelry is often intricate and almost always | | | | jewelry. Other types of Celtic jewelry include tie |
| steeped in the past. | | | | tacs and tie pins, lockets, cuff links, earrings and |
| Wearing these beautiful pieces of jewelry is an | | | | even watches. Many pieces of Celtic jewelry are |
| effective but easy way for people to signify the | | | | made by gifted artisans, and almost all exhibit fine |
| importance to them of their Celtic heritage and | | | | craftsmanship and intricate detail. |
| culture, while at the same time allowing those | | | | Back to the True Purpose of Celtic Jewelry. |
| people to carry on and continue Celtic traditions. | | | | People who are able to trace their ancestry to |
| The Celtic cross that incorporates both Christian | | | | one of the "Six Celtic Nations" - Ireland, Scotland, |
| and ancient Celtic pagan design elements is a | | | | Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany - |
| popular example. | | | | have a proud and honorable heritage, one that |
| Types of Celtic Jewelry. | | | | can be nurtured by wearing Celtic jewelry. A large |
| Celtic jewelry can be made out of almost | | | | part of the popuations of Ireland and Britain, |
| anything, including precious metals such as gold, | | | | together with their relatives who live elsewhere, |
| sterling silver and platinum. Precious and | | | | are of Celtic ancestry. And almost all Celts |
| semi-precious gemstones such as diamonds, | | | | celebrate and honor Celtic traditions and the Celtic |
| emeralds, sapphires, rubies and topaz, can be | | | | heritage. Celtic jewelry is a way, a very visible |
| incorporated into almost any design. Celtic jewelry | | | | and beautiful way, to honor, celebrate and revel in |
| can also be made from lesser metals such as | | | | Celtic culture. |
| silver plate, vermeil, brass or pewter, which are | | | | |