by: Martin Smith
There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols.
The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.
The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring
it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.
The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned
the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.
In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.
The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.
The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was.
The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.
The design is the clasped hands of the ?fede? or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages.
The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It?s simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase
a Claddagh.
About The Author
Martin Smith is a freelance writer providing advice and information on a variety of products. His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource. Drop by the site for more information if you have time ! http://www.1st-4-jewelry.com
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Watches From A-Z: A Fun Directory of All Things Watch-Related
Watches From A-Z: A Fun Directory of All Things Watch-Related
by: Chris Robertson
Although you probably don't give much thought to that timepiece on your wrist, watches date back to 15th century Italy. Wristwatches gained popularity in the first part of the 20th century, and by the late 1900s, they became less about timekeeping and more about fashion. Here's a fun A-Z directory of all things watch-related.
Analog - A standard watch with dials, hands, and a 12-hour time span.
Bezel - The ring surrounding the dial of a watch that holds the crystal in place.
Chronograph - Another name for a stopwatch.
Digital - A watch that displays the time in numbers, rather than by a dial.
Escapement - Responsible for timekeeping accuracy, it is a mechanism in a mechanical watch.
Fob - The watch chain that attaches to a vest or belt at one end and a pocket watch on the other.
Gold Plating - A method used to give a watch the...
Watches From A-Z: A Fun Directory of All Things Watch-Related
Gold ring > Watches From A-Z: A Fun Directory of All Things Watch-Related
Twelve Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Gold and Silver Jewelry
Twelve Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Gold and Silver Jewelry
by: Sam Serio
Jewelry can be beautiful to look at, fun to buy, and can make bold and revealing statements about you. Hear are some tips for greater enjoyment of your favorite gold and silver jewelry.
1. Never swim in a chlorinated pool while wearing gold and silver jewelry.
2. Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your gold and silver jewelry
3. Keep both your skin and your gold and silver jewelry clean and free of oil.
4. Using an absorbent, abrasive-free body powder on areas that your gold and silver jewelry touches your skin can help with skin discoloration.
5. If you do have any skin discoloration you may need to move to a higher gold content. Say, from 14K gold jewelry to 18K jewelry.
6. Are your gold and silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here?s a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain...
Twelve Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Gold and Silver Jewelry
Gold ring > Twelve Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Gold and Silver Jewelry
Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
by: Keith Thompson
Anyone wanting to make an informed purchase of diamond jewelry needs at least a cursory understanding of the Four C's. These are the standards by which diamonds are graded, and ultimately determine their value. They are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight. What follows is a brief description to acquaint diamond shoppers with these essential benchmarks.
CARAT WEIGHT - Contrary to popular belief, a large stone alone does not a valuable diamond make! While bigger can be better, it's not the only factor. All the other C's carry as much weight in the end, and be sure to use the size as a factor, though not necessarily a determining one. A carat is actually a measurement of weight, not size, equal to 200 Milligrams.
COLOR - The less color the better. In other words, everything else being equal, a colorless diamond will be much more valuable. Diamonds range in color from colorless to...
Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
Gold ring > Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
That Fat Tricky Hobbit!
That Fat Tricky Hobbit!
by: Nicolas Fradet
Just like Gollum can?t live without the ring, some poker players can?t sit down at a poker table without trying to be tricky. If Sam can tell that Gollum is not being fully truthful in his actions, in this mighty quest of the ring, then Gollum?s master plan can fail. If your opponents can tell you are not being fully truthful in your actions, then your master plan can fail.
While deceiving your opponents is surely a step in the right direction towards poker success, you should always carefully decide whether a play is really worth it. Being tricky usually means not playing in the most profitable way, so you can profit more in later plays. You sacrifice a little equity in a hand so you can be less predictable and therefore profit on your future hands. However, I believe most of the times, it is better to simply bet your hand accordingly. Your opponents might actually not give you credit for the hand...
That Fat Tricky Hobbit!
Gold ring > That Fat Tricky Hobbit!
Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!
Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!
by: Alexis Miller
He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement ring. Now it's time to plan the celebration, but where do you start?
Your engagement party is the perfect setting for the families and friends of the bride and groom to meet each other if they haven't already done so. Make yourself available at the start of the event to greet all your guests and introduce everyone. Mingle as much as possible so that your guests feel comfortable and relaxed.
You can celebrate in style with a swanky black-tie cocktail party, or a formal sit-down dinner, or maybe a casual serve-yourself buffet is more your style. Whatever you choose, remember that many of your guests may not know each other so you want them to be able to mingle comfortably.
Once upon a time, engagement parties were usually held at the home of the bride's parents, but nowadays most couples like to host their...
Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!
Gold ring > Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!