From Ireland with love; we give you Diamond claddagh rings...

Tradition is one word that defines diamond claddagh rings. This is because claddagh rings were first produced in the 17th century during Queen Mary II reign. They were traditionally given by the Irish as friendship or marriage rings.

There are many legends about the origins of this ting but one that may actually be true historically is the one about a man named Richard Joyce a member of the Joyce clan and a native of Galway in Ireland. He went to work in the West Indies having promised his fiancé he would marry her when he got back home.
Unfortunately for him, the ship he was travelling in was captured and he was sold in to slavery. He was bought by a Moorish goldsmith who trained him to be a goldsmith.
During his captivity, he created the claddagh ring as a symbol of his love to his fiancé. When William III was crowned king, he demanded that the moors release all British citizens and that is how Richard Joyce gained his freedom. When he returned home, he presented his love with the ring and they got married.

So what sets diamond claddagh rings apart? Its very distinctive features which feature two hands holding a heart which is surrounded by a crown do. These features are said to correspond with the qualities of Friendship (the hands), Love (the heart) and loyalty (the crown). Over the years, a phrase “Let love and friendship reign” was said upon the presentation of this ring.

How you wear your claddagh ring says a lot about your romantic availability or lack of. According to tradition, if the claddagh ring is worn on the left hand ring finger, with the heart facing away from the body indicates that the person is engaged. When the ring is on the same hand but with the heart facing towards the body generally means that the person is married.

When the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing away from the body, tells you that the person may be single and not in any serious relationship and even looking for one. When the claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing towards the body, it should tell you that the wearer is in a relationship.
I think this is a fabulous idea and should be used more.

Due to a natural disaster between 1845 and 1849 in Ireland know as the Potato famine, a lot of the Irish people immigrated to America and this caused the claddagh ring to spread other areas. Diamond claddagh rings are now worn all over the world and are treasured by the wearers who pass them on their daughters. How would you like to start a little tradition of your own? You can start by getting a claddagh ring of your own…