The Gift of Physical Beauty

Though there are many stories and artistic renderings of what fairies look like, there are few who know exactly what to believe. Do fairies have deep black eyes, pointed claw-like fingers and fangs? Or are fairies creatures of ethereal beauty and grace?

More are likely to believe that the fairies of the stories they have read as a child are truly glorious beings. Whereas some fairies such as Tinkerbell can be diminutive in stature, there are others that are six feet tall. They have long flowing hair that glimmers in the moonlight, their ears are perfectly pointed at the tips and their eye are slanted, almost almond shaped. The fairies of little girl’s dreams have pale skin that glitters as if kissed by a pearl, and their wings are diamond encrusted capes upon their backs. Every child dreams of fairies as being more beautiful than any mere human, and they can continue to dream of such things. Fairies are as beautiful as you want them to be.

Adornments and Apparel

Fairies are not just beautiful in physical appearance; they also wear the most delectable things. The fairy women gown themselves in diaphanous fabrics that shimmer in the light and hide little from the sight. The men of the fairy court are garbed in tunics of rich silk and velvet that cause even the stoutest hearted of human women to gasp in utter awe.

The clothes of the fairies are inconsequential next to the fine jewels and gems they wear. The fairy jewel crafters are known to be the craftsmen to the gods. Nothing that the humans of this world can produce will ever compare to the magical craftsmanship of the fairies. On the head of each fairy is a tiny crown of the purest gold. Upon each fairy hand is a ring, each detailed planned out to the merest nth degree. The neck of each fairy is adorned with a necklace so fine that the moon itself would fall from the sky just to marvel at its shine. No human on earth could ever imagine the true beauty of the fairy wardrobe.

Fairies are magic; they are the very essence of what legends are made of. The dreams and fantasy fairies create in the minds and hearts of all people are what makes our hearts yearn for something more. The beauty and appearance of a fairy will not only cause our eyes to sparkle in joy, it will cause our eyes to become blind to all earthly beauty made of man.

What can one say about the vibrant vision that is the fairy? Nothing compares to the bold and beautiful fairy folk and nothing ever will.

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Hidden Meanings

Celtic jewelry pieces are designed with various symbols that are both decorative and full of meaning. While it may be rare to find Celtic jewelry pieces that created with stone settings, the meanings behind the various pieces have greatly accommodated for this lack. For example, bracelets and rings that are crafted with various knot Celtic designs symbolize unity, harmony and continuity. This meaning makes these a perfect gift to your spouse on your next wedding anniversary or to your best friend to celebrate your lifelong friendship with each other.

Timeless Designs

Although Celtic jewelry is slowly becoming one of the most popular kinds of jewelry that are available in the market today, the designs used in making these goes back hundreds of years. In fact, most, if not all of these jewelry pieces are crafted with the same designs that the ancient Celtic tribes have once used. This makes Celtic jewelry designs timeless and can eventually be passed on from generation to generation. Unlike many pieces of jewelry that have subsequently become family heirlooms, Celtic jewelry designs would remain extremely trendy and fashionable. This would make these eventual heirlooms a joy to wear around while giving the sense of nostalgia as you wear them.

Ability to Transcend Genders

One problem many people face when buying jewelry pieces for their loved ones is that they tend to be a tad bit gender specific. This could cause some problems for many guys out there who are looking to buy a piece of jewelry for their girlfriend or spouse. Many of them tend to worry about whether it is feminine enough or not. This is not the case with Celtic jewelry pieces. Because the designs used are those that have been worn by both men and women, it makes it a whole lot easier for men to find something that your lady would love and adore. Of course, you can always ask the friendly store assistant for advice or check the recommended sections for those that are sold over the Internet. But it would definitely be a whole lot easier to choose designs for that perfect gift to give to your loved one.

Priceless Craftsmanship

With the growing demand of jewelry pieces, many of those that are sold in local jewelry shops and over the Internet have been made through the help of machines. Not in the case of Celtic jewelry pieces. This is the reason why these pieces of jewelry costs so much. Carefully crafted all by hand, Celtic jewelry pieces is a wonderful treasure and product of a labor of love. This makes these pieces of jewelry all the more special and perfect to give to your loved one.

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Pay Attention While Purchasing An Item

When you are out purchasing a Celtic rosary from a renowned showroom, you need to be watchful. The extra care can be the only differentiating factor between a quality purchase and a fruitless pursuit. The first thing that you need to do before finalizing a deal is to place the Celtic rosary on a flat surface, preferably a glass top and check whether the joints of the necklaces are bonded in perfect rhythm or not. If they are, then the jewelry is in good condition and has not been tampered with but if it isn’t, you might have to look for a replacement or change shops and walk into a different showroom altogether.

Look Carefully To Check The Brightness

It is advisable that while purchasing Celtic rosary, you need to be alert at all times. More so because at times the jewelry, especially in smaller shops, is known to be used and hence, you should never pay the price of purchasing a used jewelry. A simple check involves placing the jewelry on a flat surface and checking whether it is shining or not. If in case you are the sorts who are extra careful with your purchase, simply use a magnifying glass to check whether the Celtic rosary is ridden with dirt or not. If it is bright, go for it but if it isn’t, look for another piece.

Ask For A Proof

Once you make an entry into a showroom, you always ask for a proof. The proof is a certificate of authentication, which gives us a fair idea whether the Celtic rosary is genuine or not. The authentication could be in the form of a certificate, which is generally given when you enter a big showroom but in case you prefer to use the services of a local jewels shop, even a verbal assurance could do. Nonetheless, before purchasing Celtic rosary, it is always better to check its authentication in the form of a written certificate or a verbal assurance.

Opt For A Secured Site While purchasing Celtic rosary online

If you are a busy person who does not have the time to visit a local jewelry shop, you can always head for the internet and choose to order online. While purchasing Celtic rosary, you should use the services of a secured site only. By doing so, not only would you be safe, you would also get an authentic piece of jewelry which is free from misuse and unnecessary problems.

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Everything Irish

Claddagh rings represent everything that is good about Ireland. The sense of long relationships, loyalty to one’s partner and family and the sweet romantic gesture are all part of what makes the Irish people so special. There have always been Irish people going off on fishing boats, off to war, or off to find work in a new country, so the concept of serious commitment to one’s loved one is not a decision entered into lightly. Claddagh rings represent the tradition of commitment found in Ireland.

Legend to a New Generation

A popular legend regarding the origins of Claddagh rings ties them to the family name of Joyce, but this time it is Margaret Joyce that is the named person. The story goes that was the widow of a wealthy Spanish merchant who returned to her native clan to marry the mayor of Galway. She funded several beneficial projects in the area. Because of her charity, an eagle dropped the first Claddagh ring into her lap one day. It is likely that many of the components of this legend have a basis in fact. The Joyce name certainly appears in documents of the time; the Moorish influence is widespread in Ireland, and a number of structures in Galway date from this era.

The Galway Connection

The small village of Claddagh near Galway is the home of the Claddagh rings. The Claddagh rings have been the traditional Irish wedding ring since the 17th century. The Fisher Kings of the Claddagh used this symbol as a emblem of loyalty to the crown. A lesser known version which is missing the crown, never achieved the popularity of the original. The connection with Galway remains an important aspect of the rings. The romantic part of the ring’s symbolism comes from the geographic part of Ireland surrounding the ancient city of Galway.

Faith Rings

These rings were popular in the Middle Ages throughout the European continent. Claddagh rings represented fidelity in keeping the promises made to one’s sweetheart. They also recognize the loyalty to the crown. Faith rings are part of a group of finger rings also known Fede rings. Faith in this instance refers to the loyalty aspect of the Claddagh rings. Friendship is the third aspect of the rings from Claddagh area. This is long term friendship that doesn’t give up on the other person referred to in modern language as ‘keep the faith.’

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Do a Bit of Research before Making a Purchase

For many centuries, Celtic jewelry pieces have served more than just a piece of decoration for the body. These are crafted using various symbols with meanings that have been rooted in their culture and tradition since the ages of antiquity. There are many sites all over the Internet that would be able to provide you with examples of these symbols that are commonly used for Celtic jewelry pieces and their meanings. Some of these websites even come with pictures of example pieces of Celtic jewelry for you to be able to get a better idea of what it looks like.

Authenticity Counts

Celtic jewelry pieces are mostly handcrafted, so they tend to cost a whole lot. To make sure that you are getting your money’s worth make sure that you get this from an authentic jeweler. This is where having some knowledge on the background of the origins and different symbols used for crafting Celtic jewelry pieces come in. Try asking the store assistant regarding some information of the piece of Celtic jewelry that catches your eye. If you wind up knowing way more than the store assistant or the jeweler that is assisting you in the store, chances are they are not that much well-versed in Celtic jewelry. As such, the likelihood of the Celtic jewelry piece that they are offering is genuine is highly unlikely.

Online Stores are a Better Option

Not many jewelry stores that you find in your local shopping mall carry Celtic jewelry pieces in their product line. Those that do tend to only have a few pieces for you to choose from. For this reason, looking for Celtic jewelry pieces online would prove to be more fruitful and rewarding. But just like in the regular brick and mortar jewelry stores, make sure that the pieces that they are selling are authentic. One way you can check their authenticity is through the manner on how they explain and describe their different products. Most of those websites that feature authentic Celtic jewelry pieces would not just provide a description of how they look like. They will also provide a short description on its symbolism.

Ask for Referrals

If you have some friends who are very much into Celtic jewelry, you can always ask them for advice where to get authentic pieces. Better yet, ask them to go along with you so that they could also decipher whether what you will be getting will be worth your money or not.

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Care of Your Ring

Caring for the Claddagh ring should be done with the same attention to gentle treatment as you would give to the care of any fine jewelry piece. If the ring contains a gemstone, particular attention must be given to avoid chipping or breaking the stone. The ring can be placed in a solution of detergent and warm water. Follow the soak with a clear water rinse and dry the ring gently with a soft, lint free cloth. Periodically, you will want to take the Claddagh ring to a jeweler who can check the security of the settings and use ultrasound cleaning techniques.

Symbolism of the Crown

In the Claddagh ring, the crown is a major part of the symbolism. The crown of course, represents loyalty–loyalty to the love and relationship represented by the heart symbol of the ring. However, over the years, one version of the ring states that the crown represents the loyalty of the wearer to the English crown. The Fenian version of the ring is designed without the crown, but is less popular than the triple symbol version.

Celebrity Wearers

Many celebrities have chosen to wear Claddagh rings either as a engagement type ring or a wedding ring. In some instances, the rings they choose are off the shelf, so to speak, other couples elect to have matching Claddagh rings specially designed for them. Specially designed rings may include gemstones as part of the design or may be less detailed. For example, Jim Morrison of The Doors and Patricia Kennealy, Irish American author exchanged Claddagh rings at their handfasting celebration. The rings are often found in movie and television fiction, usually to indicate a change in the relationship between two characters.

Global Influence

Claddagh rings have spread from usage in a relatively small area of Ireland to world wide knowledge of the jewelry and what it signifies. Many of the rings traveled from Ireland to the United States, thanks to the mass exodus due to the Potato Famine in Ireland. The rings are popular throughout Europe and in many parts of the United States, particularly those where there are strong Irish roots in a city or neighborhood. Thanks to the global nature of the internet, these rings can be ordered from reputable dealers at competitive prices even if you don’t live in a big city.

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Composition

Claddagh rings have been made of many different materials over the years, including gold, silver, copper, and even an old coin. The earliest rings that are extant contain jewelers marks such as the one bearing “RI” which were produced by Richard Joyce of Galway. Sterling silver is a popular metal of choice and it may or may not include stones of precious or semiprecious variety. Sometimes the Claddagh rings are coupled with birthstones for added impact. The bands can be smooth or woven in appearance. Today, rings come in sizes that fit children all the way up to macho types.

Who Wears It?

Claddagh rings can be worn by anyone, but the typical wearers are those who are looking for relationships, have entered into a relationship or have committed to a lifetime relationship. In addition, Claddagh rings have been used as birthstone rings to commemorate your own birth date or perhaps birth dates of children or loved ones. The choice of which type of ring that is worn may vary depending on the life circumstances you are in. Because the rings carry a symbolism of loyalty, each of the specific wearers can choose to enjoy the rings and their personal symbol.

Quality

Because the Claddagh rings are fairly detailed in design, it is important that the quality of the workmanship be top level. Because the rings are a piece of jewelry that is often worn for years, you certainly want to have the best quality of metal and workmanship. The price of fine jewelry is directly linked to the quality of the ring. However, good quality Claddagh rings are also a reflection of the abilities of designer and the quality of the gemstone if any. As with any gemstone, you should always buy the highest quality that can be determined without magnification.

Legend or Tall Tale

Numerous legends have grown up around the origin of the Claddagh rings. You can pick the one that interests you the most or that is the most appealing. One of the favorites is that of a prince who loved a commoner. Her father was somewhat dubious about the seriousness of the prince’s commitment. In order to convince the father that his feelings did not include using the young lady, the prince designed the ring resembling the current version. The Claddagh rings had a heart to portray his love, a crown to portray his loyalty and the hands of friendship. This gesture convinced the father who gave his blessing to the pair.

This article was sponsored by Irish Indeed: http://www.irishindeed.com

This article was sponsored by Irish Indeed. We are your one stop shop for Claddagh Rings and Celtic Jewelry. Visit us on the web today for our entire line of Irish Claddagh Rings.

Here are some of the most common Celtic jewelry symbols used and their corresponding meanings.

The Celtic Cross

Because of its religious connotation, the cross has always been considered to resemble faith and Christianity. In the case of the Celtic cross, the four different arms of the Celtic cross stand for the four different elements of the earth. These are earth, wind, fire and water. The cross itself symbolizes the connection and the unity of the four elements. This is further accentuated by the circle that surrounds the Celtic cross. As such, Celtic jewelry pieces that include the Celtic cross as its primary design pay tribute to the various elements of the earth, which according to ancient Celtic tradition, are the very same elements that have resulted to everything on earth to exist.

Celtic Spirals

Next to the Celtic cross, spiral designs are the most popular designs used in a variety of Celtic jewelry pieces. Generally speaking the spiral design symbolizes the development of life from birth until death. Going deeper, the way how the spiral design has been constructed in the different Celtic jewelry pieces provides a twist to this general meaning. For example, a spiral that spins in a clockwise fashion symbolizes life that began during the winter season. This is because the winter sun is depicted by the clockwise turn. If the design of the Celtic jewelry piece shows two spirals circling in opposing directions, this depicts balance in life between good and evil.

Rope Designs

Pieces of Celtic jewelry use the rope design to complement Celtic crosses and spiral symbols to symbolize continuity. It is for this reason that many designers of different pieces of Celtic jewelry would often use the rope design for rings and bangles as opposed to earrings and necklaces.

Knot Patterns

This particular design is a common favorite for many wedding and engagement rings. Usually, knot designs in Celtic jewelry come in either one or two knots. The knot design symbolizes togetherness, loyalty and unison. Oftentimes, these are used alongside with spiral Celtic designs. When designers select to use knot patterns with spiral designs, these are crafted in such a way that the design does not appear to have a beginning and an end. This is to symbolize eternity and infinity, whose symbol coincidentally resembles that of a knot with no beginning and end.

Irish Indeed (http://www.irishindeed.com) sponsored this cultural article about Celtic Jewelry

Irish Indeed sponsored this cultural article about Celtic Jewelry. If you would like more information about Mens Celtic Jewelry or Silver Celtic Jewelry, visit us today.

Origins of the Claddagh Ring

This extremely popular piece of Irish jewelry has its beginnings in the town of Claddagh which is located in Galway County in Ireland. The Claddagh ring had been used by the locals of this town for centuries. Unlike other pieces of Irish jewelry which have been designed with numerous symbols that have been associated in so many meanings, the symbols in this popular Irish jewelry and their meanings are extremely distinct. Legend has it that the design was created by a merchant named Richard Joyce who had learned the art of jewelry making and developed his designs upon his return from the West Indies.

The Claddagh Ring Design

There is only one design that is used for the Claddagh ring. The design is that of a crown that rests on top of a heart shaped design. This is then held by two hands. Individually, the two hands symbolize friendship. The heart shape is meant to symbolize love and the crown is a symbol of royalty. Taken as a whole, the entire design is meant to depict the meaning “let love and friendship reign.”

It’s how you wear it!

Although the overall meaning for the symbols of the Claddagh ring is “let love and friendship reign,” the manner and where the bearer of this piece of Irish jewelry also contributes to give the Claddagh ring other meanings. These meanings pertain to the marital status of the bearer of this popular Irish jewelry piece. If the bearer of the ring wears the Claddagh ring on her right hand with the heart shape design facing away from the body of the bearer, it means that the wearer of the ring is single. If the Claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart shape design facing away from the body of the individual, it means that the person is engaged to be married. If the heart shaped design is facing towards the body of the wearer of the ring, it means that the woman is already married.

The Perfect Wedding Ring

Because of the symbolism and meaning that encompasses the Claddagh ring many couples today have now used it as for their wedding band. It is for this reason for the increase in the popularity of this piece of Irish jewelry in modern times. This is because the Claddagh ring is able to exemplify through the different decorative symbols clearly defines what kind of love is shared between the couples.

If you are considering on getting a pair of Claddagh rings for your wedding day, you can find these and other Irish jewelry pieces over the Internet. These websites not only offer some of the finest pieces of Irish jewelry in the market, but would also give you a great deal in the prices.

This publication was paid for by Irish Indeed (http://www.irishindeed.com)

The Claddagh Ring is one of the most well know pieces of Irish Jewelry. Visit Irish Indeed today for our full line of Irish Jewelry, including Irish Wedding Jewelry and Irish Celtic Jewelry.

When looking at the designs for Irish Rings, you may note that there are design differences to be had. These Irish Rings have three different designs, a Claddagh, A Celtic design and wedding and engagement rings. The most numerous of the three is going to be the Claddagh design. It is a traditional design that signifies friendship, love and loyalty. This ring type is the most popular of the three considering it is a traditional design. The other two also have a bit of traditional work such as the Celtic Knot and Trinity Knot work on the bands or incorporated into the ring itself which makes for a beautifully wrought ring.

Are these rings for males or females?

Most of the Irish Rings that we are talking about are for females. There are, however male Claddagh rings and wedding rings that we will be talking about in later articles. As was stated above, the most rings on this site are the Claddagh rings. These Irish Rings are beautiful no matter what the design nor who wears them. These gifts are wonderful to give and to receive. This is because all of our rings are dictated from traditional designs. Tradition is very strong in Ireland and makes the basis for a lot of the craftwork that goes into making each and every one of these designs that are for sale here on our site.

What Metals are used in making these rings?

These Irish Rings are made of different materials such as sandblasted titanium, 14 carat gold and 14 carat white gold for starters. Each of these Irish Rings is created with precious metals and stones to last forever. These rings are sturdily built and created and last a lifetime. These rings can also be passed down as heirlooms from generation to generation. The designs are traditional, but some of our designs such as the sandblasted titanium can be considered to be a contemporary ring. So our rings designs and metals are both contemporary as well as traditional. So you can buy these rings with confidence, knowing that they are sturdily built with top quality materials that will never fade or peel, nor lose their luster.

What Sizes are we talking about here?

With most of our Irish Rings, the sizes run from a size 4 to about a size 12. This is in ladies sizes only. Our Men’s Irish Rings run from 8 to 14. These are the normal size ranges for both ladies and men. So our rings will fit men and women in these size ranges. You should be able to find a ring that fits your size in any of the selections that we offer. Since we do offer men’s and women’s rings, you would be hard pressed to find a better selection of traditional and contemporary rings than what we offer here. So come check our selection out and see what we have to offer you as far as our rings are concerned.

Irish Rings are something you’ll want to know a lot about before making a purchasing decision, especially Irish Wedding Rings. Visit us today for a huge collection of Irish Rings and Jewelry, in addition to all our other Irish Gifts.