Jewelry has existed since prehistoric times, probably originating as a method to fasten

clothes together (such as a Celtic kilt clasp, brooch or buckle) and as a way to store and later display wealth. Although some jewelry still has functional purposes, now it is most often

worn in order to enhance a person's appearance.

But in addition to personal adornment, certain types of jewelry are able to convey a particular symbolic meaning about the people who wear them.

For example, wearing a piece of Celtic jewelry is almost always intended to signify that

the person wearing it traces his or her ancestry to the Celts.

Celtic jewelry is often worn to indicate that a person is proud of being a Celt. The design

of Celtic jewelry is often intricate and almost always steeped in the past.

Wearing these beautiful pieces of jewelry is an effective but easy way for people to signify

the importance to them of their Celtic heritage and culture, while at the same time allowing

those people to carry on and continue Celtic traditions. The Celtic cross that incorporates

both Christian and ancient Celtic pagan design elements is a popular example.

Types of Celtic Jewelry.

Celtic jewelry can be made out of almost anything, including precious metals such as gold,

sterling silver and platinum. Precious and semi-precious gemstones such as diamonds,

emeralds, sapphires, rubies and topaz, can be incorporated into almost any design.

Celtic jewelry can also be made from lesser metals such as silver plate, vermeil, brass

or pewter, which are sometimes set with synthetic gems such as cubic zirconia.

Since ancient times, Celtic jewelry has been famous for its beauty and its fine craftsmanship. Many different types of Celtic jewelry incorporate "Celtic knots," the beautiful, stylized representations of endless knots that were used by ancient Celts to symbolize their pagan

religious beliefs.

A Celtic cross, encrusted with diamonds, is a particularly striking piece. But many other well-known Celtic design elements, such as the Tree of Life, the Trinity Knot, dragons (especially Welsh dragons) and the Claddagh design can be incorporated into Celtic jewelry.

Clasps, pins and brooches, buckles, rings, bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, and, most notably,

torcs, are classic, traditional pieces ofCeltic jewelry. Other types of Celtic jewelry include tie

tacs and tie pins, lockets, cuff links, earrings and even watches. Many pieces of Celtic

jewelry are made by gifted artisans, and almost all exhibit fine craftsmanship and

intricate detail.

Back to the True Purpose of Celtic Jewelry.

People who are able to trace their ancestry to one of the "Six Celtic Nations" - Ireland,

Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany - have a proud and honorable

heritage, one that can be nurtured by wearing Celtic jewelry. A large part of the popuations

of Ireland and Britain, together with their relatives who live elsewhere, are of Celtic

ancestry. And almost all Celts celebrate and honor Celtic traditions and the Celtic heritage.

Celtic jewelry is a way, a very visible and beautiful way, to honor, celebrate and revel in

Celtic culture.