There are many ways to show and prove your feelings for another person. And everyone wants to do it in a special way. Claddagh rings are a great gift option for a loved one or just a friend to show their feelings. Such a present will not leave anyone indifferent.
What are Claddagh rings?
This ring comes from Ireland and people give it in honor of love or friendship. It looks like this: a pair of human hands holds a heart, decorated with a small crown. The crown means fidelity, the heart is a symbol of love, and the hands are friendship. Most often, the Claddagh ring is made of silver or gold. On this decoration there is an engraving: “Love. Loy alty. Friendship . Sometimes this motto is written in the language of the Irish. Newlyweds can give each other Claddagh wedding rings, which will be a symbol of their eternal love for life. According to ancient tradition, this jewelry is passed down in the family through the line of women: from mother to daughter or granddaughter from grandmother.
Ways to wear the Claddagh ring
There are several traditional wearing optionscladdagh rings. If a person has not yet found his only soul mate, then he wears an ornament on his right hand. Moreover, the heart depicted on the ring should be directed away from you. And if the ring is worn on the same right hand, but the image of the heart is directed towards itself (from the fingertips), then this is a sign that the owner of this jewelry already has a loved one. Claddagh rings are called engagement rings if a couple in love puts them on their left hand with the image of the heart facing them.
After some time, another way was invented to wear this kind of jewelry: a ring is put on the left hand, but the image of the symbol of love is directed to the fingertips. So the rings are worn by the newlyweds during the wedding celebration. It is believed that symbolically their hearts are drawn to each other.
History of the Claddagh Ring
This jewelry is named after the village of Cladda, located in Ireland. There is a legend according to which in the 17th century a young guy Richard Joyce lived in this village. And once he went to work in India. In Ireland, his girlfriend was waiting for him. The lovers were going to get married when Richard returned home. But along the way, disaster struck. The ship sailing to India, on board which was Joyce, was captured by pirates. A young guy was captured and became a slave of a famous jeweler. Richard was very talented and quickly learned from his master. In the end, the guy also became a skilled jeweler. His owner offered to marry his daughter, but the young man refused, because he lovedhis girlfriend, who remained in Ireland. Richard missed his beloved and made a ring with a crowned heart and a pair of human hands holding it.
In 1689 a miracle happened. William of Orange made a pact with the pirates and all the imprisoned slaves were freed. The young jeweler returned to his homeland. His beloved was still waiting for him faithfully. When they got married, Richard continued as a jeweler and eventually became a well-known craftsman.
In 1730, R. Joyce closed his workshop, and for some time the production of Claddagh rings ceased. A generation later, the Claddagh rings were again made by George Robinson, and other Irish jewelers after him. This decoration is still very popular among young people, especially among lovers.
Interesting information about the Claddagh rings
There are some interesting facts about this jewelry:
- Very many famous people were the owners of the Claddagh rings. The owners of such a ring were some of the rulers of England, Prince Rainier III of Monaco with his wife, W alt Disney, as well as American President R. Reagan. Among the modern owners of the Claddagh ring are such famous actresses as Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts, as well as many other famous people.
- There is a museum of the Claddagh rings. It is considered the smallest museum with a large souvenir shop. It contains rings made by Richard Joyce and George Robinson. A unique piece of this museumis the smallest Claddagh ring in the world: it fits on the little fingertip.
- The Claddagh rings are often mentioned in cinema. This decoration is found in the movie called "The Irishman", as well as in the famous TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
Claddachian ring: price
Prices for this jewelry are very different, because the options for the rings are varied. Jewelry can be made of gold or silver. In the heart on the ring, you can insert any precious stone at the request of the buyer. The weight of the jewelry also plays a role. On average, a silver Claddagh ring will cost from two thousand rubles, and the price of this gold jewelry has a price of 15 thousand rubles.
Summing up everything written, it can be noted that the Claddagh ring is a wonderful gift for a loved one or a true friend. Such a gift will characterize you as a subtle sincere nature, and the recipient will definitely appreciate your outburst of feelings.
