Posts Tagged ‘jewelry’
When you are interested in collecting jewelry there is a wide range of different types of jewelry to point your interest at. There are some pieces of jewelry that have a special meaning to the owner or have a specific story which makes the piece a must have in your collection. One of these must have pieces is the very famous Claddagh Ring.
The Claddagh Ring is a beautifully graceful designed ring to represent friendship, love and loyalty all together in one piece. Because of this combination of symbolism, the ring immediately becomes the perfect gift to someone you care very deeply about and make that statement. Looking at the ring the meaning is very obvious and very clearly. The design of the ring consists of two hands that are very carefully holding up a heart which is topped by a little royal crown. There are different variations in the design available, but the key message with the hands, the heart and the crown is processed in every variation. Next to the different designs the ring is available in different materials like silver, gold, platinum and titanium all in different price ranges.
Looking at the history of the Claddagh Ring, you have to go way back into the 17th century. Though the original design of the ring goes back even further it was during this time period the Claddagh ring was produced for the very first time. The original meaning of the ring was to be an original symbol of the Galway town of Claddagh in Ireland but the story to the final meaning is far more beautiful. It tells the story of a young man from Ireland who was travelling to the Irish Caribbean island of Montserrat when he was kidnapped by pirates who sold him to a Moorish goldsmith who taught him how to be a good craftsman. Back in Ireland his woman awaits his return and when he did return he brought the ring and explained the meaning of the ring to her. The two hands are symbol of their everlasting friendship, the heart is symbol of their eternal love and the crown is symbol of their undying fidelity and loyalty to each other. Shortly after his return the happy couple got married and has never left each other’s side.
Other than using the Claddagh Ring to declare your love to someone close to you, the ring also tells if you are still available for your one true love. It’s the way you wear the ring that makes the difference. When you wear the ring on your right hand with the heart pointing at yourself, it means that you are spoken for and that you are romantically involved, but when the heart is pointing away from you, it means that you are available and are looking for your true love. Like cupid setting his arrows ready to shoot. When you wear the ring on your left hand with the heart pointing away from you it means that you are engaged and when the heart is pointing towards yourself it means that you are happily married.
Because of its ancient pure design and beautiful symbolism, the Claddagh Ring has had a lot of publicity. Not only was it seen a lot in motion pictures, a lot of stars like the symbolism and like to wear the ring a lot. The popular television shows Buffy, the Vampire Slayer has often used the ring as a plot device.
When you look at all the different ingredients that come along with the Claddagh Ring, it basically has everything. It has a beautiful design, a very impressive story and the symbolism is as clear as day. All these ingredients combined together make it a true collector’s item.Doc. No:1206-LM-ULT5-dc11
With a keen interest in Celtic jewelry, Ciara O’Brien researches and writes about Claddagh ring and all other types of Celtic jewelry. Click here for more information about Celtic engagement rings and here for Irish weddin bands
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If you happen to be in an Irish jewelry shop and are captivated by a ring featuring a heart-shaped stone topped by a tiara and held on both its sides by two hands, you have reason to be beguiled because that piece of jewelry is what is called a Claddagh ring. This ring is a uniquely Irish symbol incorporating all the factors that make up an enduring relationship. The heart, of course, stands for love. The tiara or crown is a symbol for loyalty and the hands are a symbol for faithful friendship.
The Claddagh motif is derived from the traditional symbol of clasped hands
As far back as the Roman times, clasped hands have signified eternal friendship and love. The Romans used this image in various types of jewelry, including wedding rings. This emblem carried over into medieval Europe and made its way to Ireland where the Irish improvised on it and gave it a more spiritual dimension. Besides the pair of hands, they included motifs denoting the virtues that make a long-lasting relationship possible; friendship, love and loyalty.
Both genders may wear Claddagh rings
Claddagh rings are appropriate for both genders. You may buy them for your own self or as a gift to people with whom you have strong emotional bonds. They are most appropriate as wedding rings and a wedding is truly special where both bride and groom have Claddagh rings on their fingers.
There are different ways of wearing the Claddagh ring, each one with its own significance
After you buy a Claddagh ring, you have to know the traditional meanings of the various ways in which this ring can be placed on the finger before actually putting it on in public. This is especially important if you are with a group of Irish people. Single persons who are not involved with anyone else should announce that fact by wearing the ring on their right hand with the heart facing away from them. People who have personal relationships should still wear the ring on the right hand but this time with the heart facing them. The meaning is, of course, that their heart is no longer available. Finally, married people or people engaged to be married should have the ring on their left hand, the heart facing towards them.
Wearing the Claddagh ring in an inappropriate manner – especially in a gathering of Irish people – may give others the wrong impression about your emotional status. To avoid embarrassment and intrigues, married people should especially pay attention to the orientation of their Claddagh rings.
Beautifully crafted Claddagh rings are inexpensive
There are masterfully crafted yet inexpensive Claddagh jewelry available in live stores. A more convenient way to purchase these rings is over the internet. You can see a fine array of different styles. The heart is frequently made out of semi-precious stones or birth stones. Alternatively, they can be made out of silver or gold. Beautiful silver rings can be yours for less than $100. For 14 k gold rings, you may need to spend around $300.
Now that Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away, consider giving your loved one a Claddagh ring with his or her birthstone embedded in it. Both silver and gold versions are made of the finest metals if you get them from authentic Irish jewelry outfits. But the money-value of the gift will matter less than the meaningfulness of this gift for Valentine’s Day.
Doc. No:1206-LM-ULT5-dc11
With a keen interest in Celtic jewelry, Ciara O’Brien researches and writes about Claddagh ring and all other types of Celtic jewelry. Click here for more information about Celtic engagement rings and here for Irish weddin bands
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There are many styles of wedding rings on the market for both men and women. Some couples choose to design their own rings. Some families have a tradition of passing either wedding or engagement rings or the stones down through the family. These stones can be reset or the rings can be worn as is as a sentimental gesture.
Most couples choose rings that either match or are similar in style. Men’s rings are often wider than women’s, although some women prefer very wide wedding rings. Wedding rings are traditionally made of either white or yellow gold, platinum, stainless steel, and nowadays, sometimes titanium or tungsten. These last two are meant to symbolize strength. The most common metal for wedding rings is yellow gold. A wedding ring is usually made of the same metal as the engagement ring, although not always. Keep in mind that wedding rings are traditionally meant to be worn for the rest of one’s life so choose a style and metal that you really like!
Not all wedding rings are smooth. There are also patterned rings available that might be braided, carved or engraved or embossed. Couples of Irish heritage sometimes choose claddagh rings. They are rings that have two hands holding a heart between them. The design is topped by a heart. This symbol stands for love, loyalty and friendship. Many rings are engraved on the inside with a short saying, initials, date or a combination of these.
Both men and women can choose rings that hold precious stones. Some women wear a wide band with a diamond or other stone as both a wedding and engagement ring, rather than two separate rings. Or they may choose a ring that has small diamonds all around it to symbolize the eternal nature of love. Some men have a small precious stone embedded in their wedding band. It could be their birthstone or their wife’s birthstone or a small diamond like the diamond in their wife’s ring.
Do not think that the more you spend the more ‘perfect’ the wedding ring will be. It is quite possible that you could buy one of the cheaper rings in a jewelry store and your partner will love as much, if not more, than if you had spent twice as much. The reason is that it all comes down to personal preference and the thought that you put into it.
There is no denying the importance of being aware of the time of day for most of us. Everybody is effected by how they use the time they have. It is important for most to have a way to tell the time of day whenever they want. But the marketplace is full of watches and a person has to decide if they want a Rolex, a Timex, a Cartier Ballon Bleu, or a sun dial strapped to their wrist, and that choice is not always the easiest one. Strangers take into account how others look. That makes it an important decision for many people to make. There are a couple of guidelines to remember when shopping for this type of accessory.
Choose the style of timepiece that you like. A person has the choice of the face that they want on the watch. What features do you need? What do you want the watchband to look like? How fancy and stylish should your watchband be? Figure out what you want to spend. Watches can be as inexpensive or as costly as you want.
Styling may be very important. For example if you want a sophisticated, sleek look you might want to find a sleek, thin, long silver watch. Some timepieces are made to go with an alternative fashion style by using unique materials. When a person is looking for something that is suited for work they might want something with a regular watch face.
Choose a timepiece that is well made. You can’t really tell by looking at one, but you can check its ratings by the manufacturer. Rolexes, Tag Heuers, Rado, and other well known brands are very well made or if you want go online and check out a Cartier Ballon Bleu review to help guide you in your search. You can learn a lot about whether the pieces made by some companies are well made or not if you take some time to look.
Check for water resistance. Unless you see a marking for meters assume that it cannot be worn in water. If you are worried about battery life, go for digital watches, some digital models claim for 10 years of battery life.
In addition to those basics a person should pay attention to a few other things especially if they are looking for an expensive ladies watches for that special person in their life. Pay attention to the hints that have been written. Do not blow your budget. If you do not want to waste your money realize that it is something that is often misplaced. If the watch which you are going purchase for everyday use is not very expensive go for a watch for which that you can change batteries yourself. That is one way that you can extend your budget if you want. Choose a style that is consistent with the replacement parts. You can find the things you need at many different places. If the strap is too wide like 35 mm, they can be hard to get and are much too expensive. Never try to open a watch yourself. Professionals are worth the time and expense to have them do this, Beware of counterfeit brand name watches. Watches do not get sold cheaply most of the time unless they are fake or stolen. When you look at a watch, make sure that you can clearly tell the time of day without any difficulty. Many reputed Swiss Made watches should be bought from their official dealers. Be very careful about purchasing one off of the internet.
You can find the perfect watch with just a little effort. The time a person spends doing their homework will be well rewarded. Don’t waste time by not knowing what time it is. Don’t put off not knowing what time it is any longer and buy one for yourself.
The idea of anniversary gold for men might appear like an oxymoron, but males wear a lot more adornment than they actually realize. That is merely because the gold is subtle or serves an otherwise practical objective so that it is seen in the separate category from gold.
Wrist watches are excellent anniversary gifts for males. What piece of jewelry couldn’t be a lot more made more masculine and yet still permit for the specific touch of an inscribed underside with a loving information? Lots of wrist watches will do, but if you want to add an inscription you will have to purchase metal. Watch metals are usually aluminum or steel alloys, however the a lot more expensive watches are created from platinum, titanium, gold or silver alloys. There are lots of title manufacturers that you can buy to add to the prestige of the present, but a view picked up from the local jewelry stores can still include all the factors of the great quality watch without having the expense of the name brand.
Anniversary rings are also well-liked gifts for males. They may also be exchanged between a couple that’s celebrating their anniversary. These rings help to cement the relationship and renew the affirmation of commitment among the couple. These rings are also often inscribed around the inside with a message of love and affection for that lucky man. A a bit a lot more decorative mens silver rings might be substituted and unusual rings that correlate to the man’s zodiac sign or rings that are engraved around the outside with special styles, such since the Celtic ring are becoming well-liked.
Some a lot more adventurous men wear an earring or have a piercing. Obtaining them a special piece of jewelry to wear in this way can assist to create the anniversary present special. When looking for this kind of gold you will need to rely in your instincts for what you’ll believe he likes. Is he into unusual styles or a plain stud men’s earrings? Is he allergic to particular metals? In the end you do not want to get him a bit of gold only to get he won’t put on it simply because it irritates his skin.