- Irish Claddagh Ring Review

                             I love my beautiful Irish Claddagh engagement ring from Ireland. It's as beautiful now as it was when Kevin my fiance/life partnergave it to me a few years ago.

                            This ring symbolzes so much. It represents our engagement, part of my ancestry, an Irish tradition, and the story of the man who designed it.  

                          The ring is two hands holding a heart with a crown above the heart. The hands are a symbol of friendship, the heart - love and the crown fidelty.  On my Claddagh the heart is a purple amethyst and the crown has marcasites on it. so do the wrist cuffs alongside the hands.                             

                          I admire and respect the tradition of Ireland concerning the Claddagh. In some families, many mothers give it to their daughters, many couples exchange Claddaghs. Some men present as a promise ring.

                        If the woman is single the Claddagh is worn on the ring finger of the right hand with the point of the heart facing outward, away from her. This shows her heart belongs to no one and she is available. If she becomes involved in a friendship leading to marriage or a young man gives it to her it is  with that intention, it is used as a pre-engagement ring, a promise ring. The point of the ring's heart should point to the heart of the person wearing it to show her heart is promised to someone.  If engaged, the Claddagh is worn on the left ring finger with the heart pointing to the wearer's heart. This shows the person's heart belongs to someone. It's worn the same way when the person marries.

                       The story of how the Claddagh came to be is also special. Richard Joyce lived in a small fishing village called Claddagh, just outside the town wall of Galway in the early sixteenth century. The week he was to be married his fishing boat was captured by pirates.  He and the rest of the crew were sold as slaves. He was sold on the northern coast of Africa - far from his beloved home Ireland and the woman he deeply loved.

                       He was taught goldsmithing. It turned out, he was a talented artist. He designed a beautiful ring  depicting his hands holding the heart of his lady and a crown atop the heart.It symbolized friendship, love and fidelity. He held on to it waiting for the dayhe could return home to his fiance. After eight years, his owner released him hoping Richard would marry his daughter since he loved him as a son. Richard wanted only to return to his two loves Ireland and his fiance.He was given a small ship and provisions. When Richard finally arrived in Claddagh he rejoiced to find that the woman he missed had been faithfully waiting for him all those years. He gave her the Claddagh and were married. They were happily married for the rest of their lives.

                        When I go through hard times, whatever they are, I look at my Claddagh think of what Richard Joyce and what they went through. I think of my fiance Kevin whom I love completely.  It reminds me of Kevin's love, our relationship and our commitment to each other and our live together - past, present and future. We can get through anything, the bond is strong.

                        Whatever  I end up owning in life, my Claddagh engagement ring will always be my most cherished possession(along with our futureweddingrings, of course) !!!