There are a number of stories about the history of the Claddagh, and one common legend tells the tale of how the Claddagh ring originated in a small fishing village in Ireland in the late 17^th Century. An Irishman named Richard Joyce is said to have left his sweetheart to set sail to the West Indies to make his fortune, but before he reached his destination, a band of pirates captured his ship and he was sold as a slave.

Joyce’s master was a Moorish goldsmith, and during his many years of service, Joyce learned his master’s craft. He earned his master’s respect and was even offered his daughter’s hand in marriage; however, Joyce refused, knowing that his beloved awaited him in Ireland.

When King William III negotiated the freedom of the slaves, Joyce returned to his homeland and found that his sweetheart had waited for him for the many long years he had been gone. He crafted the first Claddagh ring for his true love, integrating three symbols: two hands to represent friendship, a crown to represent loyalty and a heart to create a picture of love. The two were married, and Joyce presented his creation to his bride as a wedding band.

Claddagh wedding bands give a nod to the original meaning of the Claddaggh, and they’re wonderful ways to celebrate the friendship, love and loyalty of a married relationship. The Celtic Claddagh Wedding Band Ring in 14K Two-Tone Gold frames a 14K yellow gold Claddagh with shining 14K white gold edges, adding a pop of contrast that makes this motif stand out. If you prefer, this ring is also available in several other two-tone and single-metal variations.

While rings are the most common way to wear the Claddagh, they’re far from the only way! Claddagh earrings are lovely ways to incorporate this centuries-old design into your look. For example, the 14K Yellow Gold Claddagh Hoop Earrings meld the Claddagh with gleaming loops of gold to create a pair that’s always in good taste.

In addition to its ability to symbolize friendship, love and loyalty, the Claddagh is also said to have religious significance as it creates a picture of the Holy Trinity: the crown represents the Father, and the two hands represent the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Claddagh Cross Pendant in 14K Yellow Gold gives the Claddagh a clear message of faith by combining it with the symbol of the cross. The two hands and the heart form the horizontal beam of this cross, while the crown sits atop and a smaller cross is carved into the bottom of the vertical beam. This shining, detailed 14K yellow gold piece measures ¾ inches high, making it a lovely accent for any day.

To express your love, to state your faith or to simply make a fashion statement, try a piece of Claddagh jewelry! These pieces provide timeless style and an ageless message.

Although the origins of the Celtic cross are uncertain, there are many legends about how it came it be. One popular legend tells how St. Patrick, the priest known for spreading the gospel in Ireland, made the mark of the cross over a circle that the Druids had made on one of their sacred stones, adapting an existing symbol to make the cross more relevant within the culture.

While many believe that the Celtic cross was in existence long before St. Patrick, this story is a testament to the significance that has been given to this emblem since the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. What was once a symbol of a Druid deity (a circle) has been combined with the symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, and has been used to represent faith for centuries.

Apples of Gold’s collection of gold crosses contains a number of striking Celtic crosses and The Celtic Cross Pendant in 14K Gold is a striking example as it fills a strong outline of a Celtic cross with interweaving Celtic knot motifs. These designs have been used by many as symbols of eternity as they have no beginning or end, and when they’re combined with this powerful cross, they serve as a reminder that Christ’s love endures forever.

The 14K White Gold Claddagh Cross Pendant puts a twist on the Celtic cross by using a Claddagh in place of the circle that’s usually seen.  Centered on this simple 1 3/16″-high white gold cross is symbol that’s more often seen in Celtic rings, but it adds a welcome and meaningful touch. The three parts of the Claddagh each hold significance: the heart represents love, the hands represent friendship and the crown represents fidelity.  This is a lovely piece to give to anyone with whom you share faith and friendship.

Although the Celtic cross has Irish origins, when it’s incorporated into pieces such as the US Army Cross Pendant in 14K Gold it can help to convey your support of the troops that serve on behalf of the United States. A round medallion engraved with a U.S. Army insignia is placed atop of a gleaming 14K yellow gold Celtic cross, creating a declaration of your gratitude for our troops and your faith in God to watch over them. Similar styles are available for other branches of the military, allowing you to show your support for anyone serving our country.

Sterling silver cross pendants are versatile and affordable symbols of faith and Apples of Gold carries a range of Celtic crosses in this cool, stylish metal such as the Celtic Cross Pendant in .925 Sterling Silver. No matter which metal you choose, Celtic cross pendants are meaningful accents for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and all year long.

Celtic knots twist and turn to form designs with no beginning or end, and their continually curving nature allows them to serve as symbols of eternity. When wrapped around wedding bands, these motifs become pictures of endless love and reminders of undying commitment. In addition, as strands of gold and other precious metals intertwine to form these designs they create a representation of the way that a husband and wife are woven together as one.

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, let’s take a look at several fashionable and meaningful wedding bands that bear the motifs of St. Patrick’s homeland. Whether you’re looking for a ring that gives a nod to Irish heritage or are simply looking for a piece that represents the constancy of your love, the bands are stylish and meaningful picks.

The Caer Celtic Knot Wedding Band Ring in 14K White Gold provides a contemporary take on a centuries-old knot. This seamless design wraps around a sleek 14K white gold band, providing a symbol of your connection and lasting affection. It’s an excellent pick for both the bride and the groom.

The Celtic Heart Knot Wedding Band Ring in 14K Two-Tone Gold uses the contrast between two metals to draw attention to its unique design. A curling Celtic knot twists to from a one-of-a-kind heart motif that repeats over and over around the entire band in gleaming 14K yellow gold. This shining, three-dimensional design is contrasted by polished 14K white gold edges that form a classy border above and below. By combining an intertwining Celtic motif with the timeless symbol of love, this ring is an excellent reminder that your heart and the heart of the one you love are inextricably woven together. This 7mm band is also available in two wider widths by request, if you’d prefer to showcase this piece’s eye-catching motif in slightly bolder fashion.

The Caedmon Celtic Wedding Band in 14K Two-Tone Gold is another striking two-tone wedding band that puts the spotlight on Celtic design. This bold 8.5mm-wide wedding ring is crafted from solid 14K white gold and wrapped with a 14K yellow gold knot motif that stands above it and catches the eye as it contrasts with the ring upon which it sits. This pairing of two gleaming colors of gold places extra emphasis on a time-tested design and on the meaning behind it.

Each of the Celtic wedding rings featured here are available in a number of metals, as well in striking two-tone combinations. In addition, each one features a unique comfort fit that allows them to sit more organically on your finger.

Any of these Celtic styles can create a picture of lasting love. Try one to represent your endless commitment and unbreakable bond.

Celtic motifs have been adopted by many as symbols of eternity as their continually curving shapes have no beginning or end. When these designs are featured on wedding bands, they can become not only emblems of eternity, but also reminders that your love and commitment will never run out. While these motifs are both powerful and elegant in any metal, two-tone styles that utilize Celtic motifs allow these designs to fully take the spotlight, emphasizing their message and their good looks. The contrast that’s created when these designs are placed on a background of a different color gives two-tone Celtic wedding bands a distinctive edge.

The Celtic Heart Knot Wedding Band Ring in 14K White Gold and Rose Gold takes a timeless symbol of love and meshes it with a Celtic knot to form a unique picture of your unending affection. Hearts are intricately intertwined with curling Celtic designs to create an emblem of affection that repeats all the way around this band. This one-of-a-kind motif is formed from three-dimensional rose gold to give it an extra sense of warmth and to allow it to stand out against the 14K white gold band that holds it.

The Celtic Trinity Knot Wedding Band in 14K Two-Tone Gold is rich with meaning as well as striking style. This bold ring features the Triquerta, a knot of three loops that has often represented the trinity as well as serving as a symbol as connection and unity. The use of this motif allows this ring to serve not only as a reminder of your love and commitment, but also of the One who brought you and the one you love together. The combination of 14K yellow gold on top of a 14K white gold band creates a look that’s eye-catching and memorable.

If you’d prefer a modern take on the timeless Celtic knot, don’t miss the Kendrick Celtic Wedding Band in 14K Two-Tone Gold. This sleek style gives a Celtic motif a contemporary angular treatment that makes this centuries-old design seem fresh and up-to-the minute. Inspired by an hourglass-shaped infinity knot, this pattern wraps around the wearer’s finger with a cool, crisp sensibility while creating a completely currant picture of your commitment to love forever. A shining 14K white gold band creates the perfect backdrop for this yellow gold motif, allowing it shine in the foreground.

In addition to these striking examples, each of these two-tone wedding bands with Celtic motifs is available in a number of metal combinations. Celtic wedding rings in any of these combinations allow the motifs they contain to take center stage, serving as bold representations of your unending commitment.

Although the original meaning of Celtic knots is unknown, many have adopted them as symbols of eternity due to their never-ending nature. Thus, they’re natural representations of love that never ceases, and can serve as reminders of an undying commitment to the one to whom you say “I do.”

Celtic wedding bands convey a sense of strength that endures like few other designs can. The 14K White Gold Celtic Shield Wedding Band intersperses a Celtic knot motif with a round shield-like design, creating a looks that says you’re willing to fight for your love. Smooth polished edges bind the elements of this ring to form a unified statement.

Celtic knots have been used by many to not only to symbolize eternity but also to make statements of faith—messages that are inherently powerful. For instance, the triquerta, a three-looped Celtic knot, has often been used to represent the trinity, and its presence on wedding bands serves as a reminder that you and the one you love are joined and held together in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Antiqued Celtic Triquetra Trinity Knot Wedding Band features this meaningful motif repeated on all sides, and a black antiqued finish makes the polished knot pop into the foreground. While the design is simple, it contains a rich symbol of the One who makes true love possible.

Despite their longstanding status as design elements, Celtic knots take well to modern adaptations that give these time-honored motifs a contemporary, edgy twist. The Kendrick Celtic Wedding Band in 14K Two-Tone Gold is a prime example as it gives an angular look to an infinity knot, a symbol of eternity that powerfully expresses love without end. This shining 14K yellow gold knot pops against a 14K white gold band.

For a take on Celtic style that’s fresh and streamlined, don’t miss Apples of Gold’s selection of titanium Celtic wedding bands. In the Green Titanium Celtic Knot Wedding Band, a repeating unbroken infinity knot adds an unexpected pop of color: this hourglass-like motif is accented with green enamel. Select a polished or a brushed finish, as well as your choice of width, for a look that suits you perfectly.

The Carys Celtic Knot Wedding Band 14K White Gold is another stunning modern adaptation of Celtic style. “Carys” means “little fair love,” but don’t let that name fool you into thinking that this is a demure, bashful style. While it can easily serve as a symbol of your fair little love, its design is big and bold, as it takes a three-dimensional approach to a time-honored knot design. Strong angles and curves combine to form a look that’s slightly architectural and always eye-catching.

Men’s wedding bands that feature Celtic knot exude strength, both in their design and in the messages they convey. For expressing a love that’s in it for the long haul, they come out on top.