Popular Celtic Jewelry Items
Copyright 2006 Richard Keir
While Celtic jewelry may be most popular among individuals of
Irish decent, anyone is free to love and enjoy this enchanting
jewelry and many do.
Frequently Celtic wedding bands are selected as an alternative
to more traditional wedding rings. In many cases owners of
Celtic jewelry choose to have their ring engraved. This style of
Celtic wedding band is often referred to as a Claddagh ring.
Claddagh rings will generally have two holding hands, a crown,
and a heart on the band. The heart is said to symbolize love,
the crown stands for loyalty, and the hands symbolize
friendship. All of which are important components of a marriage.
Most bridal Claddagh wedding rings will have a stone inlaid. You
have the option of purchasing Claddagh wedding bands in a
traditional, antique style or in one of the more modern
variations.
Another piece of highly popular Celtic jewelry is the Celtic
lovers knot ring. Here, the engraved knot serves as a lover
knot, thus the title for the ring. Although knot rings do come
in a number of different styles, the meaning remains the same.
In Celtic jewelry, the knot symbolizes a crossing place where
two people meet. The most common usage or symbolic meaning of
knot jewelry is as a representation of love. However, you may
also find some Celtic knot rings that are specifically for
friendship or family relationships.
Celtic jewelry may also be found in the form of an Irish cross.
A number of different style crosses are available. In this case,
your choices will mostly depend on where you end up purchasing
your Celtic jewelry.
A common option is to have the jeweler insert your birthstone
into the cross. Alternative pendant styles are available too.
After the cross, the most popular pendant is probably in the
shape of a shamrock. Brooches, cufflinks, earrings, and
bracelets can also be made in a Celtic style.
While Celtic jewelry traditionally is made in white or yellow
gold, there are also other styles available. The best Celtic
jewelry has traditionally been handcrafted by a professional;
however, you may find that some so-called Celtic jewelry is not
actually handmade. To ensure that you are getting a piece of
handmade Celtic jewelry, you should properly research the
jewelry. Always feel free to ask questions about how the jewelry
was made, who the artisan was and so forth. You would be wise to
visit several jewelers selling the styles you are interested in.
There are also a number of online jewelry stores which are
devoted solely to Irish and Celtic jewelry styles. As with any
piece of jewelry, you should always verify exactly what the
jeweler's refund and guarantee or warranty policies are. If you
are dissatisfied or if something happens your new Celtic jewelry
piece, you will want to know that it can be returned, fixed or
replaced.
One reason for the increasing popularity of Celtic jewelry with
many people lies in the symbolism so clearly embedded in this
type of jewelry. More than a plain band or a simple ring, Celtic
jewelry styles are rich with symbols representing love,
connection, family and friendship. And those are things that
truly never go out of style.