Celtic Pendants

Finding the perfect anniversary gift for your wife can be a challenge. If she has Celtic ancestry, the choice of a Celtic pendant could be ideal. Anniversaries are a way to celebrate your own past with your partner.

A Celtic Pendant is also a means with which to honor the past. The symbols and patterns found on traditional Celtic pendants have ancient origins, and they have been passed down through the centuries, in order to keep the cultural traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales alive.

Selecting the best style of Celtic necklace for your wife can be easy once you get a sense of what the various symbols mean. There are some common Celtic motifs which have been used by jewelry artisans since the 6th century. Some designs you will find engraved on modern pendants are Shamrocks, Trinity Knots and the St. Bridget's Cross.

In order to help you decide which pendant your wife might prefer, we've compiled a list of helpful shopping tips, along with an overview of what the symbols mean. You can make your anniversary memorable, and meaningful, with a gift of Celtic jewelry.

How To Shop For A Celtic Pendant

The watchword for Celtic jewelry is authenticity. Finding a dealer that guarantees their pendants are made in Ireland, by hand, is key. If you want the real article, you should consider shopping online for the best Irish designs. You dealer should be willing to answer any questions you have about the necklace, and they should also provide proof of genuine materials used with an assay, or stamp. Once you've found a jeweler that creates handmade, heirloom-quality pieces in the Emerald Isle, you'll be sure of the lasting beauty of your selection.

Prices vary widely depending on the features of the pendant. Yellow and white gold will be more expensive than silver or pewter, but they will have a special luster that is incomparable. The use of inlaid emerald, diamonds, rubies, or birthstones will add to the cost of your pendant as well, but they provide an extra dimension to the design. Women adore gemstones and the way they catch the light. Choosing a necklace with a bit of extra sparkle is always an excellent idea for your wedding anniversary.

Here is a quick guide to the best Celtic pendant styles:

Shamrocks - The Shamrock is associated with Ireland, and with St. Patrick. When Saint Patrick came to Ireland, his mission was to convert the Irish to Christ. He would often use the three leaves of the Shamrock to demonstrate the presence of the Holy Trinity in the natural world.

Today's Shamrock pendants are delicate and feminine and they often feature tiny rows of inlaid diamonds. They are also a versatile and practical choice, since a woman can wear such a piece every day, with any outfit.

Trinity Knots - These pretty examples of Celtic knot work (interlace) are meant to represent the same thing as the Shamrock. Their three points are much like the three leaves that illustrate the Holy Trinity. The master metal workers of Ireland began crafting their signature knot work during the Insular Art period, which began in the sixth century. Today's necklaces often feature beautifully crafted Trinity Knots, sometimes with pearls, emerald, or diamonds to lend them glamour.

Saint Bridget's Cross - This distinctive, woven pendant is thought to bestow good luck on its wearer. The first woven cross was fashioned by Saint Bridget during the 17th century. Bridget wove a simple cross out of the rushes upon the floor, in order to comfort a dying man. Today's pendants mimic the delicate weaving, and they are meant to be expression of faith in God.