Celtic jewelry

Green imported glass beads and pearls make their way around, interspersed with smaller green beads and hung with an antique copper Celtic knot, has made its way into our collection of Celtic jewelry, along with the sterling silver and aventurine anklet marked in the center with a Celtic charm and with beads the color of a November afternoon sky. Another sterling silver item is the Iona charm, one of our nicest Celtic cross necklaces. Based on the St. John's Cross on the Isle of Iona off the west coast of Scotland, it displays an elegant intricacy enriched by its historical substance.

First made during the reign of Queen Mary in the 1600s, the claddagh ring is traditionally given in friendship or as Celtic wedding jewelry. Featuring two hands and a heart above which rests a crown, it is said to symbolize love, loyalty, and friendship. It's a fascinating piece of Celtic jewelry as it can be worn to send one of four messages. Worn on the right hand with the heart facing away from the wearer, it indicated that he or she is not in a serious romantic relationship and is generally available for courting. Worn, however, on the right hand but with the heart facing toward the wearer, the ring indicated that this person's heart has been captured. On the left hand, the heart pointing away from the body, the Claddagh ring shows that the person is engaged, and with the heart toward the body, indicated the person is married.

The thistle is a symbol of noble character and birth. The national emblem of the Scots, stories vary of how the thistle came to symbolize the highest of qualities varies, but the fact that this plant, considered a common weed by many, has such relevance to this nation speaks more to the Scottish cultural psyche than anything. Seen often in Celtic wedding jewelry and charms, the thistle's significance raises awareness of the value this nation's people place on every tribal member. That one never knows what value a person will prove to hold for a group and its cause. The Celtic cross necklaces and thistle charms, earrings, and bracelet with its Swarovski amethyst and purple gemstone accents, are just some of the many richly symbolic Celtic gift items available at SimplyIrishGifts.com, where culture, history, and beauty meet.