irish rings

irish rings

Irish rings today are some of the most popular in the world with people of all ages and nationalities choosing Irish rings and Irish jewelry to accessorize their wardrobe and invest in an heirloom to pass to future generations. The most famous of all Irish rings is the Claddagh ring. The Claddagh ring design originates from a small fishing village in County Galway in the West of Ireland. The ring was initially used as Irish wedding rings and Irish engagement rings. The Claddagh ring design is traditionally a plain, solid gold band which includes a pair of hands joined to hold a heart which is topped with a crown. The hands symbolize friendship, the heart represents love and the crown signifies loyalty.

The wearing of the Claddagh ring was traditionally very symbolic in Ireland; if you were married or your heart was taken the ring was worn on the left hand wedding finger, with the crown pointing towards the fingernail and the heart pointing inwards. If your heart was free and looking for love then the ring was worn on the right hand with the heart pointing towards the fingertip. Or if worn on the right hand with the heart pointing away from the fingertip, then the person is romantically involved. The Claddagh ring has a long, varied and often disputed history with a diverse heritage and legacy shaping the Irish ring, internationally synonymous with the Emerald Isle. The Claddagh ring constantly gains in popularity as a token of love and friendship. It is a great choice of Irish ring for men and women worldwide of Irish descent, in all walks of life and by people who are touched by the sentiment behind the ring; "Let Love and Friendship Reign".

irish engagement rings

Many people all over the world choose modern Irish designed and traditional Celtic rings for their engagement and wedding rings. There are centuries of history and heritage behind engagement and wedding rings with their popularity in Ireland growing over the past two centuries. Engagement rings became gradually popular from the late 19th century, due to the diamond and precious stone mining activities from the 1890s. In earlier times a simple ring or another piece of jewelry could have sealed a couple’s contract to marry, if they were wealthy enough to spend their money in such a way. During the Middle Ages the engagement, or contract to marry, was overseen by the church and a Gimmal ring was used to signify this. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the three tiered ring was fashionable in Europe with the engaged couple wearing one hoop each and then re-joined to be used as a wedding ring. The third part of the ring could be given to a third person who could witness the couple’s vows and hold the final ring until the marriage.

irish wedding rings

Today in most religious and civil ceremonies the wedding ring is the main symbol of the marriage contract and the commitment between couples. Wedding rings are usually made of a precious metal such as gold, silver or platinum, but in the past they were sometimes made of wood or plaited straw. A metal ring could have been borrowed or hired and some brides were even married by having the loop of the door key of the church or of their new home slipped onto her finger. Although seemingly primitive to us today, the tradition of exchanging rings during a marriage ceremony means the same today as it did in these archaic times. Originally it was only the woman in the partnership who received a wedding band but during the 20th century it became customary for the groom to wear a wedding ring also.

eternity and promise rings

Nowadays people not only give Irish engagement rings, Irish wedding rings, but also Irish promise and eternity rings. Promise rings have become very popular in the last decade as a type of pre-engagement ring to signify commitment. However as early as the 15th and 16th centuries sweethearts were exchanging rings to show their love and commitment. Posey rings were very popular amongst young lovers during the time of Shakespeare, as each band was engraved with a romantic saying cementing the love and promise between a couple. By the 19th century ‘regards’ rings were often used as a type of promise ring. Regards rings included a series of semi-precious stones, the first letter of which spelled out “regards” e.g. ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, diamond, and sapphire. Other types included the spelling of the sweetheart’s name, the word “love” (lapis lazuli, opal, vermarine, emerald), and the word “dearest” (diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz).

Today, people exchange promise rings as a way to celebrate their relationship without the increased pressure of engagement and marriage. A lot of couples exchange promise rings as a way to express their intent to eventually marry, but alternative traditions are emerging; for some, a promise ring might show a decision to stay abstinent before marriage. Also couples give promise rings when they decide to live with each other before getting married, to celebrate the move to co-habiting. There are many types and styles of promise ring that can be bought to suit all tastes. Unlike engagement rings, which are usually diamond, a promise ring can be anything the couple desires. Commonly couples, who are planning to invest in a diamond engagement ring later on, may prefer to get a promise ring with a different kind of stone, setting, or style and recently many are choosing a birthstone ring; similar to our collection of Claddagh Birthstone Irish rings.

Eternity rings have proven very popular in recent decades with many people choosing Irish rings to give to their partners and spouses. Keeper rings, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were a precursor to eternity rings. Keeper rings were often given to wives from their husbands as a first anniversary gift. These rings, usually made of gold were worn with wedding rings, just as eternity rings are worn today. Since the 1950s eternity rings have been popular and are often received by women as a wedding anniversary present from their husbands. Eternity rings are also given to celebrate the birth of a child in the family, sometimes with the birthstone of the new-born embedded in the band.

irish rings today

Irish rings for women and men today come in all styles, types and metals. With the choice of Celtic rings, Claddagh rings, Irish wedding rings, Irish engagement rings, promise rings and eternity rings, people around the world are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing Irish rings. Here at Irish Heart we pride ourselves on delivering you the best possible choice of Irish rings: have a look at our Claddagh Collection, Celtic and Irish Wedding Rings Collections, Birthstone Collection, and Promise Collection of Irish engagement and promise rings. Many of our designers have a stunning collection of contemporary Irish rings; such as the Barry Doyle Collection, George Bryan Collection, and the Aoife O’Mahony Collection. These designers take a new direction in Irish rings design to provide you with innovative and modern styles, a new choice for you and your loved one to exchange as gifts, or promises of love and commitment.