The Handmade Claddagh Ring

The Irish have a long and respected history of jewelry making. In fact, the Irish tradition of metalworking goes back over 3,000 years to the Bronze Age. During that time, skilled craftsmen made rings, crosses, brooches and chalices from bronze, silver and gold. These ancient skills have been maintained and perfected in Ireland over the centuries. 400 years ago, it was an Irish metalworker – Richard Joyce – who made the first ever Handmade Claddagh Ring.

Today, as the Claddagh has become popular with people all over the world who cherish its values of love, loyalty and friendship, Claddagh rings have become mass produced in places.  Mass produced Claddagh rings are not always from the Emerald Isle and are often gold plated and machine made. These rings are less expensive than handmade Claddagh rings from Ireland, and they lack the special history so unique to the Claddagh, and the special quality so unique to Ireland.

Why is it important to buy a handcrafted Claddagh ring? Because you are buying a ring that not only has symbolic meaning, but means something in the eyes of Irish law. By Irish law, all jewelry made in Ireland of precious metals must be inspected and carry a distinctive Irish hallmark from the Assay Office in Dublin.  This hallmark has been used in Ireland since the 17^th century and promises the consumer that his or her piece of jewelry meets the purity standards for gold, silver, or platinum.

We believe strongly in upholding the tradition of selling top quality, handcrafted, Claddagh rings from Ireland. High quality rings will endure the test of time and can be handed  down from generation to generation.  When shopping for Irish jewelry, look for hallmarked, handmade Claddagh jewelry.