Irish Wedding Rings

There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols. The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.

The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.

Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.

The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.

In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.

The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.

The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was. The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.

The design is the clasped hands of the 'fede' or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages. The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It's simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase a Claddagh.

Author Bio
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Wedding Ring and and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

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How To Care For Your Diamond Engagement Ring

Your engagement ring is a precious symbol of your eternal love. Something you wear every day no matter what you are doing. And because of this, your engagement ring can be subjected to harsh chemicals and activities. While it's true that diamonds are the hardest gem, they can become damaged if you are not careful. Learning how to properly care for your diamond ring can ensure that it really will last for eternity.

Through your everyday activities, your engagement ring can get smudged and soiled. Even
If you take them off when you do housecleaning and shower, they can collect dust. Soaps, lotions, and our natural skin oils, can cause film and grime which can dull the brilliance of your diamond engagement ring .

In order to keep your diamond looking sparkly and new you should clean it regularly. Regular cleaning will insure that the maximum amount of light can refract the stones fiery brilliance. To clean your diamond, you can use a small brush - an eyebrow brush is perfect. You don't really need any special chemicals, just make a bowl of sudsy water with soap or mild detergent and put your engagement ring in the water to soak. After a few minutes (or longer if it is really caked with dirt and grime) take the soft bristled brush and scrub the diamond in the suds.

Rinse the engagement ring thoroughly to remove all the soapy suds. Don't simply hold it in your fingers under the water or you might find yourself taking the drain apart to search for your ring! You can put the ring in a small strainer and run the water through that to make sure all the soap gets washed off. Finally, take a lint free jewelers cloth and pat the ring dry.

If your diamonds are really dirty, you may need something a bit stronger than soap and water. In this case, try a mixture of half water and half ammonia. Let the diamond ring soak for 30 minutes. Then gently brush them with a soft brush. Rinse and dry as recommended above.

You can also buy jewelry cleaning kits in almost any department store. These kits have everything you need - the solution and brush and are quite convenient as you can store them away and use them over and over again. Read the label to see if the kit is OK to use on your diamond engagement ring.

If you really want a super clean diamond you can try an ultrasonic cleaning machine. These machines use high-frequency to generate a cleaning motion. Every machine is not the same though, so read the instructions before using.

Caring for your engagement ring is not just about cleaning, there is a certain amount of maintenance you should provide. Be sure to take your diamond ring to a jeweler once a year. Have them check the mountings and prongs and make any needed repairs. This can prevent your diamond from coming out of its setting and getting lost.

When you are not wearing your engagement ring or if stones have become loose you should be stored it in a a fabric lined jewel case, or jewelers box where it can be kept separate from your other jewelry. Ideally, every piece should have its own compartment. This will keep the diamonds in your engagement ring from getting scratched as well as keep your diamond from scratching your other jewelry.

To take best care of your diamond engagement ring, remove it when doing physical work. Although diamonds are a very hard stone, they can be chipped and scratched easily. Also don't let your diamond to come into contact with bleach household cleansers which can damage the settings and mountings. These cleaners can even change the color of your setting or the diamond itself!

Your engagement ring is one of your proudest possessions and it is is essential to keep it brilliant and sparkling. The preferred cleaning method is up to you but between cleanings try not to touch the diamond with your fingers. This will help maintain its dazzling shine and brilliance for longer periods between cleanings.

Author Bio
Lee Dobbins is a jewelry designer and owner of Artisan Jewelry Online where you can find out more about handmade jewelry, diamonds and other gem stones.

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Men - How to Buy Diamond Jewelry

The large range of diamond jewelry often makes it very difficult for men to decide what type of jewelry to purchase for their loved ones.

Diamonds symbolize love, commitment and friendship, which makes it hard to choose the right piece of jewelry from the large variety of Diamond rings, Diamond earrings, Diamond pendants, Diamond necklaces, Diamond bracelets and of course Loose diamonds- which are always perfect since they can be set in any type of jewelry.

We can't choose the perfect diamond jewelry for you but we can help you with 5 easy steps:

Step 1- Knowing what she likes:
Narrow down the type of jewelry she likes to wear by observing the jewelry she wears in general, and on different occasions. The jewelry she wears may vary. For example, her daytime jewelry may be different from the jewelry she wears when she goes out or to formal occasions.

Step 2- Knowing the color and size of the jewelry she wears:
Now that you have noticed the type of jewelry that she likes, it's time to look closely at the details of her jewelry style. The first thing you should check is if she likes White gold, Yellow gold or Rose gold. You should also check if she prefers conservative or flashy jewelry. For example, her earrings. Are they small and conservative like studs or are the big and detailed like chandelier or hoop earrings.

Step 3- Knowing her ring size (if you are buying a ring):
Knowing her ring size makes her ring perfect for many reasons, one of which is the fact that she can wear her ring right away. Another reason is saving the hassle of having the ring resized.

Step 4- Learning about diamonds:
Learning about diamonds will help you choose and understand the quality and prices of diamonds. Learning about the Four C's will help you understand- Color, Clarity, Carat and Cut, and choose the perfect diamond.

Step 5- Begin shopping:
Now you have an idea for her perfect gift and you can start shopping. We recommend looking online at diamond jewelry websites.

Don't forget! Buying diamond jewelry is an investment. Now that you are educated in diamond jewelry, you can finally give her the perfect gift.

Good luck!

Author Bio
About Angel Diamond
With over 25 years of experience, we provide a superior combination of high quality, excellent value and expert advice. Be sure to visit www.angeldiamond.com to browse our selection of certified diamonds and fine jewelry. We offer Free Insured Air Shipping, Gift Card, Gift Packaging & 30-day no-risk Return Policy with every purchase.

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