How to Select a Celtic Engagement Ring
The beauty, elegance and mysticism surrounding Celtic designs make them a popular choice for engagement rings. Celtic engagement rings may incorporate phrases in Gaelic, traditional symbols or the intricate knots that makes Celtic design so famous. They may include diamonds, emeralds or no stones at all. If you know your fiancee-to-be will appreciate the symbolism of a Celtic ring but you have not yet chosen a specific design, consider which pattern has the meaning that best signifies your relationship.
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Instructions
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Research the various designs available for Celtic rings and learn their meanings. Learn the symbolism of the different knots, the various Celtic crosses and the "claddagh," the icon of the heart between two hands with a crown above it. Choose the knot or symbol that most closely reflects your relationship.
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Look up the phrases traditionally engraved into Celtic engagement rings, and choose the one that best expresses your feelings. These include the Gaelic phrases meaning "My Soul Mate"; "Love Forever"; "Bright Love of My Heart"; and "Love, Loyalty, Friendship" -- the symbolism of the claddagh. Celtic rings are often wider than other engagement ring bands because of the width of the knot work, so phrases can be engraved on the outside or inside of the band.
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Decide what combination of knot, symbol, phrase and stone you want. Consider whether your girlfriend prefers simple or ornate jewelry, whether she will want the traditional diamond ring or a more Irish-looking emerald ring -- and whether she would like a phrase engraved onto her ring at all.
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Combine the symbol, knot and phrase you have chosen in a way that matches your girlfriend's style. For example, if you chose a Celtic cross and your girlfriend wears only simply jewelry, choose a ring with a cross design to sit on top of the hand, a basic continuous knot around the rest of the band, a small diamond at the center of the cross and the phrase "Love forever" in Gaelic engraved on the inside of the band.
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Have the ring designer engrave the phrase in Ogham, the ancient Irish stick-alphabet, if your girlfriend is passionate about ancient Irish history or mythology.
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Tips & Warnings
You do not need to incorporate all possible elements of a Celtic engagement ring. Choose only the ones that will appeal most to your fiancee-to-be.
The claddagh is the most recognizable symbol of love in Celtic tradition. The heart represents love; the crown, loyalty or fidelity; and the hands, friendship.
Do not select a ring without a diamond unless you are completely certain that your beloved will prefer it that way.
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