There are many ways to show and prove your feelings for another person. And everyone wants to do it in a special way. Kladdakh rings are a wonderful gift option for your beloved or just a friend to express your feelings. Such a present will not leave anyone indifferent.
What are claddagh rings?
This ring is originally from Ireland, and people give it in honor of love or friendship. It looks like this: a pair of human hands holds a heart decorated with a small crown. The crown means fidelity, the heart is a symbol of love, and the hands are friendship. Most often, the Claddagh ring is made of silver or gold. Engraving is found on this adornment: “Love. Fidelity. Friendship". Sometimes this motto is written in the language of the Irish. Newlyweds can give each other Claddagh wedding rings, which for life will be a symbol of their eternal love. According to ancient tradition, this jewelry is transmitted in the family by women: from mother to daughter or granddaughter from grandmother.
Ways to Wear a Claddagh Ring
There are several traditional ways to wear Claddagh rings. If a person has not yet found his only soulmate, then he wears an ornament on his right hand. Moreover, the heart depicted on the ring should be directed away from itself. And if the ring is worn on the same right hand, but the image of the heart is directed towards itself (from the fingertips), then this is a sign that the owner of this jewelry already has a loved one. Kladdakh rings are called engagement rings if a couple in love puts them on their left hand with a picture of a heart towards themselves.
After some time, another way was invented how to wear this type of jewelry: a ring is put on the left hand, but the image of the symbol of love is directed to the fingertips. So the newlyweds wear rings in the process of wedding celebration. It is believed that symbolically their hearts are drawn to each other.
History of the Claddagh Ring
This jewelry is named after the village of Kladda, located in Ireland. There is a legend according to which in the 17th century a young guy Richard Joyce lived in this village. And once he went to work in India. In Ireland, his beloved girl was left to wait for him. The lovers were about to get married when Richard returned home. But trouble came over him along the way. The ship, sailing to India, on board of which was Joyce, was captured by pirates. The young guy was captured and became a slave to a famous jeweler. Richard was very talented and quickly studied with his master. In the end, the guy also became a skilled jeweler. His master proposed to have a wedding with his daughter, but the young man refused, because he loved his girlfriend, who remained in Ireland. Richard missed his lover and made a ring that depicts a heart with a crown and holds it with a pair of human hands.
In 1689, a miracle happened. William of Orange entered into an agreement with the pirates, and all the prisoners slaves were released. The young jeweler returned to his homeland. His beloved was still waiting for him faithfully. When they got married, Richard continued to work as a jeweler and eventually became a famous master.
In 1730, R. Joyce closed his workshop, and for some time the production of Kladd’s rings ceased. After a whole generation, George Robinson again began to make Claddagh rings, and after him other Irish jewelers. This jewelry is very popular among young people today, especially among lovers.
Interesting information about the Claddagh rings
There are some interesting facts about this jewelry:
- A lot of famous people were the owners of the Claddagh rings. The owners of such a ring were some rulers of England, Prince of Monaco Rainier III with his wife, Walt Disney, as well as American President R. Reagan. Among the modern owners of the Claddagh ring, one can name such famous actresses as Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts, as well as many other famous people.
- There is a museum of the Claddagh rings. It is considered the smallest museum with a large gift shop. It contains rings made by Richard Joyce and George Robinson. A unique instance of this museum is the smallest ring in the world by Cladd: it is placed on the cushion of the little finger.
- Kladdakh rings are often mentioned in the cinema. This adornment is found in a film called The Irishman, as well as in the famous series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Kladdakh ring: price
The prices for this jewelry are very different, because the ring options are diverse. The decoration can be made of gold or silver. In the heart of the ring, you can insert any gem according to the desire of the buyer. The weight of the decoration also plays a role. On average, a silver ring of Kladda will cost from two thousand rubles, and the price of this jewelry made of gold has a price of 15 thousand rubles.
Summing up everything written, it can be noted that the Claddagh ring is a wonderful gift to a loved one or true friend. Such a gift will characterize you as a subtle, sincere nature, and the recipient will definitely appreciate your impulse.