| Yes, Celtic Jewelry is Beautifully Designed | | | | synthetic gems such as cubic zirconia. |
| ... but it also has a purpose. | | | | |
| | | | Since ancient times, Celtic jewelry has been |
| Jewelry has existed since prehistoric times, | | | | famous for its beauty and its fine |
| probably originating as a method to | | | | craftsmanship. Many different types of |
| fastenclothes together (such as a Celtic kilt | | | | Celtic jewelry incorporate "Celtic knots," |
| clasp, brooch or buckle) and as a way to | | | | the beautiful, stylized representations of |
| store and later display wealth. Although | | | | endless knots that were used by ancient Celts |
| some jewelry still has functional purposes, | | | | to symbolize their paganreligious beliefs. |
| now it is most oftenworn in order to enhance | | | | |
| a person's appearance. | | | | A Celtic cross, encrusted with diamonds, is a |
| | | | particularly striking piece. But many other |
| But in addition to personal adornment, | | | | well-known Celtic design elements, such as |
| certain types of jewelry are able to convey a | | | | the Tree of Life, the Trinity Knot, dragons |
| particular symbolic meaning about the people | | | | (especially Welsh dragons) and the Claddagh |
| who wear them. | | | | design can be incorporated into Celtic |
| | | | jewelry. |
| For example, wearing a piece of Celtic | | | | |
| jewelry is almost always intended to signify | | | | Clasps, pins and brooches, buckles, rings, |
| thatthe person wearing it traces his or her | | | | bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, and, most |
| ancestry to the Celts. | | | | notably,torcs, are classic, traditional |
| | | | pieces ofCeltic jewelry. Other types of |
| Celtic jewelry is often worn to indicate that | | | | Celtic jewelry include tietacs and tie pins, |
| a person is proud of being a Celt. The | | | | lockets, cuff links, earrings and even |
| designof Celtic jewelry is often intricate | | | | watches. Many pieces of Celticjewelry are |
| and almost always steeped in the past. | | | | made by gifted artisans, and almost all |
| | | | exhibit fine craftsmanship andintricate |
| Wearing these beautiful pieces of jewelry is | | | | detail. |
| an effective but easy way for people to | | | | |
| signifythe importance to them of their Celtic | | | | Back to the True Purpose of Celtic Jewelry. |
| heritage and culture, while at the same time | | | | |
| allowingthose people to carry on and continue | | | | People who are able to trace their ancestry |
| Celtic traditions. The Celtic cross that | | | | to one of the "Six Celtic Nations" - Ireland, |
| incorporatesboth Christian and ancient Celtic | | | | |
| pagan design elements is a popular example. | | | | Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man |
| | | | and Brittany - have a proud and |
| Types of Celtic Jewelry. | | | | honorableheritage, one that can be nurtured |
| | | | by wearing Celtic jewelry. A large part of |
| Celtic jewelry can be made out of almost | | | | the popuationsof Ireland and Britain, |
| anything, including precious metals such as | | | | together with their relatives who live |
| gold,sterling silver and platinum. Precious | | | | elsewhere, are of Celticancestry. And almost |
| and semi-precious gemstones such as | | | | all Celts celebrate and honor Celtic |
| diamonds,emeralds, sapphires, rubies and | | | | traditions and the Celtic heritage. |
| topaz, can be incorporated into almost any | | | | |
| design. | | | | Celtic jewelry is a way, a very visible and |
| | | | beautiful way, to honor, celebrate and revel |
| Celtic jewelry can also be made from lesser | | | | in |
| metals such as silver plate, vermeil, brassor | | | | |
| pewter, which are sometimes set with | | | | Celtic culture. |