| The traditional crafting of Celtic jewelry dates | | | | are increasingly used as engagement rings and |
| back for centuries. The intricate designs found on | | | | wedding rings since they represent fidelity and |
| many of these intriguing pieces of art were | | | | commitment. Such rings are also exchanged |
| largely influenced by designs found in ancient Celtic | | | | between friends because they denote loyalty and |
| manuscripts and feature symbols representing | | | | friendship among good friends. |
| ideals such as love, loyalty, friendship, and | | | | A form of Celtic ring design is the Claddagh. |
| fortitude. Thus, this ancient art of the Celts is not | | | | These wonderful rings incorporate a design that is |
| only steeped in history but meaning as well. | | | | well documented in history. The first Claddagh ring |
| The prices ranges of these Celtic art pieces start | | | | was made over 300 years ago in Claddagh, a |
| from low double-digit dollar amounts for | | | | small village in Ireland. A fisherman in this village, |
| mass-market silver jewelry to several thousand | | | | Robert Joyce, was captured by pirates and was |
| for high-quality, handcrafted Celtic jewelry made | | | | later sold as a slave to a wealthy goldsmith. While |
| with precious metals and precious stones. Like | | | | working for the goldsmith, he learned the trade |
| most things, the more unique or rarer it is, the | | | | and used it to make a beautiful ring for his love |
| pricier it gets. | | | | back in Claddagh. After being released from |
| A fine jewelry lover can choose from several | | | | slavery several years later, he returned to his old |
| forms of Celtic jewelry available. One can find | | | | village and presented his handcrafted ring to his |
| popular items such as Celtic crosses, Celtic rings, | | | | beloved. They were married soon after. |
| Celtic pendants, and Claddagh earrings. | | | | Claddagh rings use three important symbols in the |
| Celtic Crosses - These beautiful crosses predate | | | | design: Two hands representing friendship, a |
| the Christian cross by about two centuries. While | | | | crown representing loyalty, and a heart |
| the Celtic cross is believed to bring greater | | | | representing love. The symbolism contained in the |
| knowledge, understanding and the fortitude to the | | | | ring design makes it great as Celtic wedding rings |
| wearer, the Christian cross, on the other hand, is | | | | or Celtic engagement rings. |
| believed to protect the wearer from harm. | | | | Claddagh Earrings - Another great use of the |
| Celtic Pendants - Aside from the enduring Celtic | | | | Claddagh design comes in the form of earrings, |
| cross, the other popular pendant design involves | | | | another wonderful accessory for a discerning |
| the Claddagh design. Celtic pendants may contain | | | | woman's wardrobe. Celtic earrings may be |
| precious stones. These make wonderful gifts to | | | | studded with precious stones such as Emeralds or |
| friends and is especially popular as Mother's Day | | | | diamonds. |
| gifts. | | | | The growing demand worldwide make Celtic |
| Celtic Rings - Another piece of Celtic jewelry | | | | jewelry great gifts even among the non-Irish. |
| chosen by jewelry lovers are Celtic rings. These | | | | Anyone can appreciate and enjoy the beauty |
| rings commonly incorporate the Celtic knot design. | | | | Celtic jewelry offers when the meanings and the |
| Celtic knots are believed to be symbols that | | | | traditions are clearly understood. |
| represent eternity and undying love Celtic rings | | | | |