Celtic Jewellery

Celtic jewellery is increasingly popular because of the wide variety of alternative groups that find an affinity with it. The majority of Celtic jewellery is made from silver, though some gold is also used. Celtic jewellery, like Celtic art, generally has strong patterns drawn from nature, as well as religious influence. Celtic patterns can be found on virtually any sort of jewellery, from rings and pendants to bracelets, brooches and earrings.

Some of the most popular patterns used by modern jewellers originate from Celtic traditions. Celtic jewellery is often based on knotted patterns – some of these patterns have been appearing in jewellery and art since before Christianity came to the British Isles around 450 A.D. Celtic knot patterns are based on simple, repeating geometric shapes – it’s generally accepted that there are eight basic Celtic knot patterns. Depending on who you ask, the knots represent everything from magical properties to spirituality and even immortality. The patterns are handy for jewellers – they can be used to create intricate brooches, bangles and bracelets, as well as carefully-crafted pendants.

In addition to the various Celtic knot-based designs, there are a number of traditional pieces of jewellery inspired by Celtic traditions; particularly, collars, torques and bangles. These ornaments are generally made from gold or silver and are often available in designs similar to those worn by ancient peoples.

One of the most iconic pieces of Celtic jewellery is the Claddagh ring. Claddagh rings, which take their name from an ancient fishing village west of Galway, are relatively modern in the scope of Celtic jewellery – the first documented creation was in 1689, when an Irishman named Richard Joyce brought the concept back from Algiers. The Claddagh ring was worn as both a friendship and a wedding ring, Three key elements of the Claddagh ring are: the heart, symbolising love; the hands, symbolising friendship’ and the crown, symbolising loyalty. Traditionally, Claddagh rings are presented along with the message Bîodh grá agus caradas I réim, which means let love and friendship reign.

Jewellers have also embraced the inspiring shape of the Celtic cross. Unlike traditional Christian crosses, the arms of a Celtic cross are intersected by a ring or circle. It is said that the shape of a Celtic cross draws it’s origins from the shape created by holding a traditional cross up toward the sun. Another explanation for the arcs that join the arms of a Celtic cross is that the resulting circle represents the ‘female’ while the cross itself represents the ‘male’. Celtic cross pendants are popular in both gold and silver, as well as combined precious metals.

Celtic jewellery is sometimes augmented by precious and semi-precious stones – generally, for an authentic look, jewellery with amethyst, amber, onyx, quarts and sometimes glass beads.

As Celtic jewellery is often made by smaller, independent jewellers it is relatively easy to find a company that can customise your jewellery to meet your exact requirements – whether that means making you a ring from a different metal or accenting your brooch with a particular stone. As always, when buying jewellery online, it’s best to work with a jeweller that has good reviews or recommendations from people you trust. Also, you should discuss the merchant’s returns policy – particularly where custom-designed items is concerned.

© Jewellery Box.org.uk 2006.

Amethyst Celtic Ring
Amethyst Celtic Ring
From Silver Time
, amethyst, celtic, jewellery, ring, rings, silver
...
£11.40


Celtic Key Charm
Celtic Key Charm
From Kaleidoscope
, charm, kaleidoscope, silver, sterling
...
£12.72


Blue Topaz Celtic Earrings
Blue Topaz Celtic Earrings
From Silver Time
, blue, celtic, cut, design, earrings, jewellery, knot, round, set, silver, topaz
...
£14.65


Celtic Key Charm
Celtic Key Charm
From Grattan
, charm, grattan, silver, sterling
...
£14.68


Sterling Silver Children's Celtic ID Bangle - Personalised.
Sterling Silver Children's Celtic ID Bangle - Personalised.
From Argos
, 2237840, argos, bangle, bangles, bracelets, celtic, children's, jewellery, personalised, silver, sterling, watches
...
£14.99


Celtic Football Club A5 Personalised Diary
Celtic Football Club A5 Personalised Diary
From BuyAGift
, 12, ardent, beginning, buyagift, calendar, celtic, cover, diary, embossed, experiences, fan, football, front, fullpage, gift, grey, hardbound, lineneffect, match, monthly, overview, personalised, practical, report, silver, vintage, weekonweekoff
...
£15.00


Celtic Knot Charm
Celtic Knot Charm
From Kaleidoscope
, charm, clasp, kaleidoscope, lobster, silver, sterling
...
£15.66


Celtic Twist Amber Drop Earrings
Celtic Twist Amber Drop Earrings
From Silver Time
, amber, baltic, celtic, classic, drop, droplets, earrings, elegant, jewellery, silver, twist
...
£16.75


Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Teardrop Necklet.
Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Teardrop Necklet.
From Argos
, 2413695, amethyst, argos, celtic, chains, gem, jewellery, necklaces, necklet, pendants, silver, sterling, teardrop, watches
...
£16.99


Getm Guitar Strap Silver Celtic
Getm Guitar Strap Silver Celtic
From Gear4Music
, celtic, gear4music, getm, guitar, silver, strap
...
£17.45


Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Celtic Necklet.
Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Celtic Necklet.
From Argos
, 2412225, argos, blue, celtic, chains, jewellery, necklaces, necklet, pendants, silver, sterling, topaz, watches
...
£17.99


Sterling Silver Celtic Dropper Pendant Necklace
Sterling Silver Celtic Dropper Pendant Necklace
From Marks And Spencer
, accessories, beautiful, celtic, dropper, elegant, feminine, finishing, marks, necklace, pendant, pretty, silver, spencer, sterling, touch, women's
...
£18.00


Celtic Knot Charm
Celtic Knot Charm
From Grattan
, charm, clasp, grattan, lobster, silver, sterling
...
£19.57


Celtic Football Club Official Crest Pendant.
Celtic Football Club Official Crest Pendant.
From Argos
, 2440022, argos, celtic, club, crest, earrings, football, jewellery, men's, official, pendant, silver, sterling, watches
...
£19.99


Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Bangle.
Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Bangle.
From Argos
, 2240167, amethyst, argos, bangle, bangles, bracelets, celtic, jewellery, silver, sterling, watches
...
£19.99


Celtic Necklace
Celtic Necklace
From Silver Time
, celtic, jewellery, necklace, necklaces, silver
...
£22.90


Celtic Twist Amber Drop Necklace
Celtic Twist Amber Drop Necklace
From Silver Time
, amber, celtic, design, droplets, honey, jewellery, necklace, necklaces, set, silver
...
£23.90


Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Bracelet.
Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Bracelet.
From Argos
, 2231004, amethyst, argos, bangles, bracelet, bracelets, celtic, gem, jewellery, silver, sterling, watches
...
£24.99


Celtic Heart Necklace
Celtic Heart Necklace
From Treat Her
, ancient, beautiful, celtic, design, gifts, heart, inspired, jewellery, linear, loaded, necklace, piece, silver, sterling, symbols, treat
...
£24.99


Celtic: 10 x 8 Framed Photo
Celtic: 10 x 8 Framed Photo
From Play.com
, 10, 12x10", 25x20cm, 30x25, 8", cm, finest, frame, framed, high, mounted, paper, photo, photographic, playcom, printed, silver
...
£24.99


Celtic Open Knotwork Silver Bangle
Celtic Open Knotwork Silver Bangle
From Silver Time
, bangle, bangles, celtic, design, jewellery, knotwork, silver
...
£26.90


Amethyst Celtic Bangle
Amethyst Celtic Bangle
From Silver Time
, amethyst, bangle, bangles, celtic, jewellery, silver
...
£29.00


Amethyst Celtic Silver Bangle
Amethyst Celtic Silver Bangle
From Silver Time
, amethyst, bangle, bangles, celtic, genuine, hallmarked, jewellery, set, silver, sterling
...
£29.00


Sterling Silver Celtic Onyx Bangle and Necklet Set.
Sterling Silver Celtic Onyx Bangle and Necklet Set.
From Argos
, 2237620, argos, bangle, celtic, fashion, jewellery, necklaces, necklet, onyx, set, silver, sterling, watches
...
£29.99


Sterling Silver Celtic Design Bangle.
Sterling Silver Celtic Design Bangle.
From Argos
, 2240174, argos, bangle, bangles, bracelets, celtic, design, jewellery, silver, sterling, watches
...
£29.99


Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Pendant and Earring Set.
Sterling Silver Amethyst Celtic Pendant and Earring Set.
From Argos
, 2199122, amethyst, argos, celtic, chains, classic, earring, jewellery, necklaces, pendant, pendants, set, silver, sterling, watches
...
£29.99


L'Homme Invisible Blanc Thong
L'Homme Invisible Blanc Thong
From Dead Good Undies
, &, 16%, 6%, 78%, celtic, clips, dead, fabric, french, interlocking, invisible, l'homme, lycra, men's, pattern, polyamide, release, silver, strings, thong, thongs, undies, viscose
...
£30.00


Blue Topaz Celtic Bracelet
Blue Topaz Celtic Bracelet
From Silver Time
, blue, bracelet, bracelets, celtic, jewellery, silver, sterling, topaz
...
£34.95


Amethyst Celtic Bracelet
Amethyst Celtic Bracelet
From Silver Time
, amethyst, bracelet, bracelets, celtic, jewellery, silver, sterling
...
£34.95


Sterling Silver Amber Celtic Necklet.
Sterling Silver Amber Celtic Necklet.
From Argos
, 2185631, amber, argos, celtic, chains, classic, jewellery, necklaces, necklet, pendants, silver, sterling, watches
...
£34.99


Green Flower Enamel Cufflinks
Green Flower Enamel Cufflinks
From Thomas Pink
, >, base, celtic, cufflink, cufflinks, elements, embossed, enamel, finishing, fit, fixedcurve, flower, heritage, mark, men, natural, pink, silver, stem, thomas, touch, wear, women
...
£35.00


Two-Colour Flower Cufflink
Two-Colour Flower Cufflink
From Thomas Pink
, >, base, celtic, cufflink, cufflinks, elements, embossed, enamel, finishing, fit, fixedcurve, flower, heritage, mark, men, natural, pink, silver, stem, thomas, touch, wear, women
...
£35.00


Silver Lucky Knot Necklace
Silver Lucky Knot Necklace
From Mums The Word
, 2009the, 24, 50cm, affection, appeared, beautiful, box, buddhist, celtic, chain, charm, christmas, colourfulur, continuity, dec, earth, emblem, ends, eternal, flows, generations, history, knot, love, luck, mums, necklace, pack, pillow, presentation, rem
...
£39.95


Amethyst thistle pendant
Amethyst thistle pendant
From Treat Her
, amethyst, celtic, creative, distinctive, evil, gifts, jewellery, pendantin, piece, protecting, silver, statement, sterling, stoneset, thistle, traditionfor, treat, wellcrafted, withinits
...
£39.99


Silver Celtic Oblong Cufflinks
Silver Celtic Oblong Cufflinks
From Thomas Pink
, >, celtic, cufflinks, elegant, gentlemans, imported, match, men, pattern, pink, shirt, silver, solid, sterling, thomas, unique, virtually
...
£49.00


Heavy Celtic Bangle
Heavy Celtic Bangle
From Silver Time
, bangle, bangles, celtic, heavy, jewellery, silver, solid
...
£89.00