Celtic Brooches

Some of the oldest brooches in the world date from the Celtic era. Made of bronze, copper and other materials frequently used in ancient jewellery, these brooches are found in museums throughout the world. Interestingly, as the Celtic knot patterns have increased in popularity, finding Celtic brooches in modern gift shops and jewellery stores is relatively easy.

Celtic brooches are most commonly crafted in sterling silver or gold, and often include amethyst, amber or onyx accents. The patterns can be quite simple, circular designs with a reverence for nature – also, more ornate knotted designs are incredibly popular as they’re rich with symbolism and the Celtic knot patterns themselves are shrouded with mystery.

If you’re looking to purchase a Celtic brooch online, you’ll be best served to purchase from a jeweller who makes their own wares – many online jewellers are merely resellers, offering metalwork that is stamped out by machines in other countries, and the quality of the craftsmanship is substandard. Jewellers from Ireland, Scotland and Wales are usually quite proud to state their heritage and provide details of the origins of their designs. Also, when buying your Celtic brooch, ask the vendor for some alternative images so you can get a better idea of how likely the brooch is to snag on the wearer’s other clothing – Celtic brooches featuring a dagger, sword or other crosspiece are particularly likely to catch on jackets or scarves.

Finally, check with your online jeweller regarding their policy for returns, exchanges and refunds. If the brooch isn’t well received, you’ll want to be able to exchange or return it for one that the wearer (or you) prefers.