Celtic Jewelry

What is Celtic art?
You must have seen many silver pendants with unusual designs like crosses, various kinds of knots, interlaced patterns as well as unusual symbols like doves, encircled triquetra, welsh dragons etc. These unusual designs are called Celtic art and bear their roots in ancient history. There was a time when the Celts ruled entire Europe, including England. The Celts had their own varieties of Celtic arts such as tattoos, symbols and designs. The most typical aspects of Celtic design and art include spirals, patterns that interlace with one another, various forms of knotwork as well as other animal forms and zoomorphics.

Usage of Celtic art in jewelry

Celtic patterns have always been perceived as having a unique appearance of their own. Their designs and art immediately catch the viewer's attention. Because of these reasons, celtic patterns have been widely used in jewelry especially silver ones. They are commonly found in silver pendants where the knotwork is predominantly popular. In silver earrings they usually use the motifs of the animal forms on them. Silver bracelets can use a wide variety of interlaced patterns that lend intrigue and charm to a bracelet.

Celtic spiral

A Celtic spiral refers to the ultimate symbol of power. It depicts three arms springing out of a center. This spiral was known as the Secret Fire by alchemists. Later on the three legged and four legged patterns evolved from this original design. The four legged design came to be known as the Swastika later on. Celtic spirals look fabulous on silver pendants because of their big, central design element. Therefore, even with a fairly thin strand of silver, these patterns make a pendant look gorgeous.

Usage in earrings

Celtic patterns are also extensively used in silver earrings. Usually for such pieces, dainty, small patterns are chosen else they tend to overshadow the piece itself. Many of these silver earrings will have various types of Celtic knots in them. Some of the knots include rounded Celtic knots, Celtic knotted vines, There can also be double or single strand knots depending on the weightage needed.

Usage in pendants

In silver pendants also Celtic designs have gained in popularity. Most of the Celtic patterns adapted for pendants include various Celtic knots, Celtic hearts, as well as various animal motifs. The Trinity Celtic knot remains the most preferred pattern for pendants.

Usage in bracelets

The one good thing about silver bracelets is that since these adorn the wrist, they need not have a single focal point, as in the case of a pendant or a earring. Bracelets are free to use any Celtic pattern as long as it looks aesthetic enough. Some of the popular Celtic patterns include serpents, Celtic roses, Celtic doves, Celtic knots, especially the 'triquetra' knot. The types of knots include double cross knots, single and double stranded knots etc. The other popular forms of Celtic art include spirals, animal cliparts, Celtic borders, backgrounds, etc. that are widely used in silver bracelets.