Antique Engagement Rings

If you ever, in your travels to Ireland or while visiting a shop selling Irish traditional jewelry, see a ring with a heart-shaped stud capped by a crown and offered on both its sides by two hands, what you are gazing at is a Claddagh ring, a symbol steeped in the Irish tradition of love, loyalty and faithful friendship. Love is symbolized by the heart, loyalty by the crown and friendship by the hands bestowing love and loyalty.

The motif is derived from the earlier symbol of friendship and love, the clasped hands

Clasped hands have always been depicted in jewelry to symbolize lasting friendship and marriage. Quite naturally, the handshake has always stood for the warmth of feeling between two friends. In a similar manner, when couples pronounce their marriage vows, they do so with their hands clasped. The outstretched and bestowing hands of the Claddagh is a uniquely Irish variation on the traditional ‘hands’ theme. The Irish interpretation goes deeper into what makes lasting relationships; friendship, love and loyalty

Claddagh rings may be worn by both men and women

Claddagh rings are appropriate for both genders. You may buy them for your own self or as a gift to people with whom you have strong emotional bonds. They are most appropriate as wedding rings and a wedding is truly special where both bride and groom have Claddagh rings on their fingers.

There is a traditional protocol for the way Claddagh rings are inserted into one’s finger

If you ever buy a Claddagh ring for yourself or have been given one by an ardent admirer, you have to know the rules for wearing them, especially if you are among Irish people who are steeped in their tradition. Persons who are single and un-attached should wear the Claddagh ring on their right hand with the heart facing outwards or to the other person. This position signifies one’s openness to a relationship. When the heart is worn facing the wearer, the ring is conveying the fact that the wearer is involved in a relationship but is not yet committed. People who are already engaged or married should wear the ring on their left hand with the heart facing them.

As you can see, if you are not careful about the way you wear your Claddagh ring in an Irish crowd, you may be unknowingly soliciting romantic advances. Specifically, married and engaged people should always take note of how they wear their Claddagh rings in order to avoid issues that can affect their relationship.

Beautifully crafted Claddagh rings are inexpensive

Claddagh rings authentically crafted by real Irish jewelers are available in silver for under $100 in the best Irish jewelry websites. They are either wrought entirely in metal or may have heart-shaped birthstone studs. But why settle for silver when you can have them in 14 K gold for just a little more. You may also have them custom made and have your birthstone set into the ring.

With Valentine’s Day coming in just a few winks, consider getting a birthstone Claddagh ring for the special person in your life. Get them in gold or silver, it doesn’t matter, it’s the symbolism of the ring that counts. However, you have to remember to include instructions for wearing the ring.

Shawn Cauthron likes to write about lots of different subjects. This author also sells products such as Pro Comp Lift Kits & Greenhouses as well as a lot of additional products.

When deciding on a diamond ring, you will be examining the cut of the diamond combined with the design and style of the ring. The design along with the cut of the diamond are both important. You only want to wear something exquisite on your hand, therefore the two components put together will need to harmonize with each other.

For those who choose to have a piece of diamond jewelry tailor-made, with a design and style of your own creation or perhaps a style selected from a designer, you will want to select the perfect cut of diamond to enhance the style and design. There are a selection of cuts already for these stones however our stone cutters are constantly endeavoring to create something new and exciting. Diamonds and gemstones come in a number of well-known cuts, listed below are a variety of them.

Round Brilliant - The round brilliant is the most exquisite, classic cut. To reflect a greater percentage of white light, the stone has been perfectly rounded as well as highly polished. The brilliance of the diamond cut could possibly be the reason that it was given this name.

Marquise - The form of this diamond is pointed at each end and somewhat curved in the midsection and very slim. Dependent upon the design of the ring as well as the clients taste, this diamond may be cut shorter or longer.

Princess - This diamond cut is square and the sophisticated cuts of the corners is precisely what gives it its brilliance.

Radiant/Emerald - Both of these cuts are very very much the same, they are both a rectangle shape. The emerald cut had become unpopular in the early 1970’s because of its brilliance, making way for the more elaborate cut of the radiant diamond in the late seventies. The cut was improved to get the highest volume of white light reflecting through the gemstone .

Pear - This diamond joins the length and also the point of the marquise cut with the round cut gemstone, hence featuring the name pear shape or the teardrop gemstone.

Oval - The oval cut is a rounded, elongated cut diamond. It is cut to bring out the brilliance of the gemstone giving it a stylish appearance. This particular cut of stone is currently very fashionable as the center in a design and style of sophisticated pieces of jewelry.

Heart - The heart is a frivolous entertaining creation. The heart shape stones have been used in lots of unique settings of earrings, necklaces and rings . Recently it has become more popular in rings particularly engagement rings.

These cuts of diamond are famous and therefore are very popular when choosing a diamond ring. When choosing a diamond ring, you’ll have these types of gemstones from which to choose and also a few one of a kind cuts not described in this article. Select jewelry to accentuate your style whether it is one of the famous cuts or even a one of a kind cut only possessed and worn by you.

At makeityourring diamond engagement rings you will find a wealth of information about selecting your diamond engagement rings and other fantastic diamond jewelry pieces.