Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring with Gemstone Heart

This handmade .925 sterling silver gemstone claddagh ring has a long story attached to it. There is a large Irish population where I live, so I had a lot of requests to make Irish jewellery. One of my pieces is this claddagh ring, and is part of my claddagh collection. It's perfect for everyday wear and for that special someone who wants their favorite stone!

DETAILS

Ring dimensions: top 12mm wide x 5mm high, band 2mm wide
Materials: .925 sterling silver
Stone size & cut:5mm x 5mm faceted heart shape
Stone options: genuine/named stones and Birthstones/Imitation stones

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925.

The Claddagh ring (Irish: fáinne Chladaigh) is a traditional Irish ring given which represents love, loyalty, and friendship (the hands represent friendship; the heart represents love; and the crown represents loyalty). The design and customs associated with it originated in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, located just outside the old city walls of Galway, now part of Galway City. The ring, as currently known, was first produced in the 17th century.

In Ireland, the United States, and other places, the Claddagh is handed down mother-to-eldest daughter or grandmother-to-granddaughter. According to Irish author Colin Murphy, the way in which a Claddagh ring was worn with the intention of conveying the wearer's relationship status:

On the right hand with the point of the heart toward the fingertips, the wearer is single and may be looking for love. (This is most commonly the case when a young woman has first received the ring from a relative, unless she is already engaged. On the right hand with the point of the heart toward the wrist, the wearer is in a relationship. (This suggests that the wearer's heart has been "captured".) On the left hand with the point of the heart toward the fingertips, the wearer is engaged. On the left hand with the point of the heart toward the wrist, the wearer is married.