Claddagh Earrings
Shop here for beautiful Claddagh earrings: sterling silver, 14k yellow and white gold, and two-tone.
| Buy Claddagh Earrings | ||
|---|---|---|
14k Gold Claddagh Earrings - White or Yellow |
14k Gold Claddagh Kiss Earrings |
Sterling Silver Claddagh Earrings |
10k Gold or Sterling Silver Celtic Claddagh Earrings (pendants sold separately) |
10k Two-Tone Celtic Claddagh Earrings (pendant sold separately) |
Circles of Love 14k Two-Tone Claddagh Earrings with Diamonds |
What do the Claddagh symbols mean? The Claddagh design consists of a heart topped by a crown and encircled by a pair of hands. The heart symbolizes love, the crown symbolizes loyalty, and the hands stand for friendship. The Story of the Claddagh: The original design of the Claddagh is attributed to Richard Joyce, native of the small fishing village called Claddagh on the west coast of Ireland in County Galway. In the mid-1600s, Joyce was captured by North African pirates while at sea and sold into slavery to a wealthy Moorish goldsmith. He learnt the craft exceptionally well, and made the first Claddagh ring for the sweetheart he had left behind. Years later, he was freed and returned home - finding his lost love had waited for him. He gave her the ring and they were married. His goldsmithing business thrived and many of his Claddaghs are now housed in museums and private collections. Their popularity spread throughout Ireland, and later around the world. For the past 300 years and more, the Irish have worn the Claddagh to symbolize their love or their openness to love, abiding friendship, and, as the Irish spread across the Western world, their loyalty to Ireland. The village of Claddagh no longer exists; it has been incorporated into Galway as that city has grown through the years. But the name lives on in the beautiful tradition of the Claddagh - love, loyalty, friendship - a perfect way to celebrate your Irish heritage. |