Ring - Claddagh Band

Gent's Oxidized Silver

Material: Sterling Silver

Height: 7.6mm (0.3")

The Claddagh ring, known by its Irish name of fáinne Chladaigh, is a traditional Irish piece of jewellery dating back hundreds of years. Its design includes two clasped hands, a heart in the middle, and a crown at the top.

The Claddagh ring comes from the fishing village of Claddagh, just outside of Galway City. The name Claddagh comes from the Irish word cladach, which describes a flat stony beach or shore.

One legend tells how Richard Joyce, a fisherman from Galway, crafted the first Claddagh ring around the 17th century. The story begins with pirates abducting the fishermen in the Joyce family while they were sailing near the West Indies. The men were then sold into slavery in Africa, and Richard Joyce was made to work for a Moorish goldsmith. He took a small piece of gold each day and eventually used them to create the first Claddagh ring. Joyce designed a simple ring with two clasped hands holding a heart and topped with a crown. These symbols represented Joyce’s hope that his loved ones would remain loyal while he was away.

Upon his return to Ireland, Joyce gave the ring to his sweetheart, who wore it to symbolise their everlasting love. Over time, the Claddagh ring became a cherished symbol of Irish culture and heritage.

Over the years, each component of this ring has taken on a specific meaning. The two hands on the Claddagh ring represent friendship. The heart signifies love, and the crown is a symbol of loyalty.

Together, these virtues form the perfect relationship: one based on friendship, love, and loyalty. This is why the Claddagh ring is a popular choice for engagement and wedding rings. Here are some reasons you may wish to wear a Claddagh ring, depending on which of the virtues you’d like it to represent.

• Love: As the heart is a symbol of love, you may wear the ring to represent love for a partner, family member, friend, or even yourself.
• Friendship: Since the hands signify friendship, you can wear the ring to indicate friendship as one of your top priorities.
• Loyalty: As the crown implies loyalty, you may wear the ring to signify loyalty or commitment to your family, friends, or partner.

Finally, both men and women can wear this Irish ring. Men often choose Claddagh rings with thicker bands and larger designs.