Claddagh Rings - Special Irish Rings
Claddagh Irish rings help carry on the legend of an Irishman who lived in the fishing village of Claddagh. The village was near the City of Galway on the west coast of Ireland.
Although the story has been shared for more than three centuries, it continues to be important to the people of Ireland and is memorialized through Claddagh rings still among the most popular of Irish rings today.
A man named Richard Joyce was apparently captured by pirates who sold him into slavery. He became the property of a goldsmith from Turkey. Joyce learned the goldsmith trade and worked his way to freedom. He returned home immediately. All of the time Joyce was gone from his home, a woman waited patiently for him. When he arrived home to her, he presented her with one of the most beautiful Irish rings anyone had ever seen. It was embellished with symbolic designs such as:
* a heart to show the love he wanted to share with her
* a crown representing loyalty
* hands that signify friendship
Not only is there special meaning in the making of Claddagh Irish rings, but in the wearing of them too. Many fine jewelry makers create different styles of Claddagh rings and other jewelry created with this sweet love story in mind. Here are a few rules to remember when wearing a Claddagh ring:
If your heart is still free: wear the ring on your right hand with the heart facing outwards.
If you are considering a serious friendship or loved one: wear the ring on the right hand with the heart facing inwards.
If you have joined with a loved one forever: wear these Irish rings on your left hand with the heart turned inward.
If you are purchasing Irish rings of gold or silver, look for official stamps to signify the traditional letter symbol for the year it was made, a fineness mark that guarantees the purity of the precious metal, and the insignia of the Irish Assay Office in Dublin Castle.
Also remember to look up a ring size conversion chart for Irish rings when you shop, as Irish ring sizes are measured differently than those in America and in the majority of the United Kingdom.
Always order Irish rings from reputable jewelry dealers in the United States or through jewelry manufacturers abroad that are verified and legitimate dealers. There is plenty of potential for risk when purchasing any item from another country and Irish rings are no exception.
