Anniversary Gift Idea: A Claddagh Ring
"Let Love and Friendship Reign"
The claddagh (pronounced Clah-dah) is an Irish ring traditionally given as a token of love. It's easily recognizable design includes two hands holding a heart with a crown on top. It's said to be a symbol of love (the heart), loyalty (the crown), and friendship (the hands).
If you're looking for the perfect Anniversary or birthday gift for your special girl, look no further. A claddagh ring is just what you need to show her how deep your love, commitment and friendship runs.
How To Wear a Claddagh Ring
A lot of people don't realize that the way you wear a claddagh ring has just as much meaning as the symbols carved into it. Depending on how a claddagh is worn, you can determine if someone is single, dating, engaged or married.
- Single: when worn on the right hand with the heart facing away. If you look down at your hand, the heart should be upside down.
- Dating: when worn on the right hand with the heart facing towards you. So when you look down at your hand, the heart is right side up.
- Engaged: when worn on the left hand with the heart facing away. If you look down at your hand, the heart should be upside down.
- Married: when worn on the left hand with the heart facing towards you. So when you look down at your hand, the heart is right side up.
If you don't know what ring size to get, you can order this free ring sizer. This is just like those metal ones they use at the jewelry stores, except with this one, all the rings are plastic.
The First Claddagh Ring Legend
Richard Joyce
No one really knows the true story of how the claddagh came to be, but that doesn't mean there's a shortage of stories! This is just one of many.
A young man from Galway by the name of Richard Joyce left his true love to make his fortune in the West Indies. As he sailed, his ship was captured by a band of pirates and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith.
After many years of service to the goldsmith, Richard perfected the art of jewelry making himself and eventually became a master craftsman, earning the respect and admiration of his owner. When King William III negotiated the freedom of the slaves in 1689, the Moorish goldsmith offered Richard the hand of his daughter along with a healthy dowry. But Richard refused....His heart still lay in Ireland.
Returning to Galway, Richard found that his love had remained true to him through all those years. In a fitting tribute to his true love, he fashioned the Claddagh ring. The two hands represented their friendship. The crown signified their loyalty. The heart symbolized their love. Richard married his beloved and presented the first Claddagh to her as her wedding ring. And, like any fairytale, the two lived happily ever after....never to be apart again.
Sterling Silver Claddagh Rings
Sterling Silver and Diamond Claddagh Ring
This sterling silver ring will give you the beautiful look without the huge price tag. It's available in whole and half sizes from 6 to 8.
The First Claddagh Ring Legend
The Eagle and Margaret Joyce
One legend in Claddagh history tells of Margaret Joyce. She married a wealthy Spanish merchant named Domingo de Rona. When her husband died, Margaret inherited de Rona's fortune. While she could have squandered the fortune away buying expensive clothing and jewels, Joyce instead put her money to good work in building bridges and performing many charitable works in Ireland's western counties. To reward her for her extraordinary kindness and generosity, an eagle dropped the original Claddagh Ring into her lap.
Gold Claddagh Rings
0.03 Carat (ctw) 10k Yellow Gold Round Diamond Ladies Bridal Promise Irish Love and Friendship Band
This 10k yellow gold band is made unique with it's pointy crown tips. Features .03 ctw white diamond in the crown.
The First Claddagh Ring Legend
Gods and Goddesses
Going back further, some believe Claddagh history began with the ancient Celts. The mythical Beathauile is said to represent the Crown. Dagda, father of the Celtic gods, represents the right hand of the Claddagh Ring. Anu, ancestral and universal mother of the Celts, represents the left hand.
In a Christian version of this Irish legend, the crowned heart represents God the Father and the two hands signify Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
White Gold Claddagh Rings
10k White Gold Round Diamond and Green Emerald Ring
This 10k white gold ladies ring features 3 white diamonds and 3 green emeralds for a total carat weight of .13
The First Claddagh Ring Legend
Unrequited Love
Perhaps the most fated tale claiming to be part of Claddagh history is one of a king who fell in love with a peasant girl. Because of class distinctions between the two, the king could not marry the lowly peasant he loved. His grief was too much for him to bear, so he killed himself. His dying wish was for his hands to be chopped off and placed around his heart as a symbol of his undying love.
Platinum Claddagh Rings
Women's Platinum Celtic Claddagh Wedding Ring
Platinum ring with classy claddagh design
Available in half and whole sizes 6 - 7
The First Claddagh Ring Legend
The Fisher Kings
Claddagh history merges with tales of the sea in the town of Claddagh, which is said to be one of the oldest fishing villages in Ireland. For centuries, fishermen from the area sailed the sea with the Claddagh crest on their ships and sails. The crest was used for identification. Fishermen without the crest were assumed to be from outside the area. If found fishing in their waters, they were chased away or killed. So the Claddagh ring is also an original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, Ireland.
Men's Claddagh Ring
Diamond & Green Emerald Ring Claddagh Irish 14k White Gold (0.35ct)
14k white gold (also available in rose gold and yellow gold)
.17 tcw emerald
7 white diamonds, .2 tcw
Available in quarter, half and whole sizes 4 - 14.5
Claddagh Rings By Birthstone
January
Garnet
January's birthstone is the garnet which represents consistency, endurance, creativity, patience, perseverance, and good health.
Sterling Silver and Diamond Claddagh Ring
14k yellow gold with garnet
February
Amethyst
February's birthstone is the amethyst which represents sincerity, intuition, motivation, security, peace of mind, and sobriety.
February Amethyst Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with amethyst
March
Aquamarine or Bloodstone
March's birthstone is the aquamarine which represents courage, creativity, health, perception, hope, beauty, honesty, loyalty, friendliness, and love.
March Aquamarine Birthstone Ring
14k gold with Aquamarine
April
White Topaz or Diamond
Aprils birthstone is the diamond which represents innocence, eternity, courage, health, purity, invincibility, good fortune, love, and strength.
April White Topaz Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with white topaz
May
Emerald
May's birthstone is the emerald which represents love, success, happiness, goodness, faith, courage, and foresight.
May Emerald Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with an emerald
June
Rhodalite, Alexandrite, Pearl or Moonstone
June's birthstone is the pearl, the Moonstone (gemstone), the rhodalite, and the Alexandrite which represents faith, charity, innocence, health, peace, tranquility, longevity, prosperity, purity, and wholesomeness.
June Rhodolite Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with rhodalite
July
Ruby
July's birthstone is the ruby which represents nobility, contentment, love, enthusiasm, strength, success, devotion, integrity, and harmony.
July Ruby Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with ruby
August
Peridot
August's birthstone is the peridot which represents success, peace, married happiness, luck, courage, fame, dignity, protection, passion, and family happiness.
August Peridot Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with peridot
September
Sapphire
September's birthstone is the sapphire which represents clear thinking, wisdom, serenity, purity, truth, faith, love, mercy, victory, and foresight.
September Sapphire Birthstone Ring
10k yellow gold with a sapphire
October
Pink Tourmaline or Opal
October's birthstone is the pink tourmaline or opal which represents hope, purity, health, innocence, happiness, truth, friendship, and emotion.
October Pink Tourmaline Birthstone Ring
10k yellow gold with pink tourmaline
November
Citrine or Topaz
November's birthstone is the citrine or topaz which represents courage, fidelity, wisdom, strength, serenity, providence, good luck, and friendship.
November Citrine Birthstone Ring
10k yellow gold with citrine
December
Blue Topaz, Turquoise or Zircon
December's birthstone is the blue topaz, turquoise or zircon which represents success, love, luck, fortune, happiness, prosperity, piety, courage, harmony, and contentment.
December Blue Topaz Birthstone Ring
14k yellow gold with a blue topaz gem
The Celtic Knot
Sometimes the design changes with the hands being replaced with a Celtic Knot. A commonly used Celtic knot is the Trinity (often called the love knot). It consists of three points that are interconnected in a triangle. It symbolizes the growth of the spirit, life that is eternal, and love that never ends.
Claddagh Celtic Knot Rings
Emerald Celtic Claddagh Knot Ring
14k white gold band with a 1 carat lab created emerald
An Old Tradition
Throughout Claddagh history, the ring has With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love. been handed down from mother to daughter with the saying, "With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love."
There is no traditional age when the ring is supposed to be handed down. Each mother determines when her own daughter is ready for this special family heirloom.
As decades pass, it links the generations and brings them closer to each other.
So which story do you believe?
Which one do you think is true?
Photos and text; © 2010-2013 Catherine Taylor. All Rights Reserved
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
All stories come from Fantasy Ireland
This is the inspiration behind this lens. My very own claddagh. I wear mine on my left hand with the heart facing me to show everyone that I'm very happily married.
Do you have a claddagh ring?
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