Celtic

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.