Celtic Jewelry

Ah, Eire. What do you think of when you think of Ireland? Shamrocks? Green? Leprechauns? What about its more spiritual aspects? Gaelic myths. Stone circles. Gossamer-winged fairies dancing in the light of the full moon.

Some of the Celtic's spirituality is revealed in their eternity knot and Celtic cross jewelry designs, and all of the wonderful jewelry below is handcrafted in Ireland.

Celtic Cross jewelry--

It seems that the symbolic meaning of the Celtic Cross is quite varied depending on the nationality or religion of the interpreter.

My favorite interpretation coincides with the locals who believe that the circle (the pagan symbol of the sun) was drawn over the Latin cross, to bring together Christianity and Druid beliefs, and creating an even more powerful symbol for life.

Many of these freestanding, stone cross structures of this ancient symbol can be found throughout the picturesque hills of Ireland, and other Celtic lands. Its mystique continues worldwide, and can be found in pieces of beautiful Celtic Cross jewelry. The crosses below are just a few examples. See more Celtic crosses for a full selection.

Hand Engraved Celtic Cross

14k Celtic Cross Stud Earrings

White Gold Cross

Celtic Trinity Knot jewelry--

The continuously flowing lines of the Celtic eternity knot symbolize the interconnectedness of all life, things without beginning or end, eternal love, and a continuing spiritual path.

Knotwork has been known since the time of the Coptics, but it was Irish monks who made the intricate interlacing lines of the Celtic Trinity knot the defining artwork of the Irish.

The mystique of its deftly interwoven lines are not just beautiful--they are strongly spiritual in that they represent the eternity of all life. Its almost magical endless pattern is shown in the examples below. Be sure to look at the full selection of Celtic knot jewelry.

Trinity Knot Diamond Pendant

Eternity Knot Stud Earrings

Celtic Trinity Knot Pendant

Irish Claddagh rings--

You may not be as familiar with the Claddagh as the Celtic cross or eternity knot, but the symbology of this ancient Gaelic design is that of love, friendship, and loyalty, and is represented by a heart held in two hands, topped with a crown.

The beautiful sentiment behind Celtic wedding vows when giving an Irish Claddagh ring is, "With these hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love."

First designed in Ireland over four centuries ago, the hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown above them represents loyalty. The Claddagh has now come to symbolize eternal friendship, loyalty, commitment, and everlasting love all over the world, and is fashioned into many forms of jewelry like these: