TL;DR: the Claddagh ring, with its hands, heart and crown, is the best known Irish ring, but Irish tradition around rings and jewellery is wider than that single design. Customs vary between families and regions, and we do not present them as fixed rules. A bespoke ring can draw on whichever traditions mean something to you. We work by video consultation and message, and make nothing until you approve the design in writing. Pieces start from £600.
Beyond one famous ring
The Claddagh design is widely loved, and its meaning of love, loyalty and friendship is easy to remember. It is also popular enough to overshadow other traditions. Irish jewellery draws on Celtic knotwork, on symbols with older roots and on pieces handed down in families, many of which have no connection to the Claddagh.
Celtic knotwork
Interlaced patterns with no beginning or end are strongly linked with Irish and Celtic design. Many people see them as symbols of continuity. A bespoke ring can use knotwork on the band, along the shoulders or hidden inside, and we can adapt a pattern from a family piece. Send us photographs, and we turn them into sketches and CAD renders for you to review.
Ways to use knotwork
- On the band: a continuous pattern running all the way round.
- On the shoulders: a small motif either side of the stone.
- Hidden inside: a pattern only the wearer knows is there.
- In a halo or gallery: a delicate detail seen from the side.
The finer the pattern, the more carefully it needs to be designed so that it wears well, and we talk you through this at the sketch stage.
Family pieces and heirlooms
Many Irish families hand down rings, and it is common to reuse stones or metal in a new design. Our guide to inherited ring hallmarks and wear explains how to read an older ring, and what to look for before reworking it. Ask us before you decide, and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
Local stones and metals
Irish gold has a place in history, and Irish designs often favour warm yellow gold. If you have a link to a place or a tradition, tell us, and we will talk about ways to reflect it without making claims we cannot support.
Wearing it your way
How and where rings are worn varies between families and communities, and the Claddagh in particular is worn in different ways to signal different things. Tell us what you intend, and we will design to suit. Our guide to wedding band styles covers the options for bands, and Irish wedding jewellery traditions looks at bands and sets.
Starting a design
- Collect photographs of any family pieces or patterns you love.
- Decide what you want the ring to say, and to whom.
- Tell us your metal, stone and budget preferences.
- Review sketches and CAD renders, and ask for changes.
- Approve the design in writing before anything is made.
Ordering from Ireland
Since the UK left the EU, a ring sent from the UK to Ireland is treated as an import. The customer pays import duty and tax, which differ by country, and we explain what to expect before you order. Delivery is insured and tracked with FedEx, and standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with your location and how busy we are. Our guide to shipping a UK ring to Ireland covers delivery in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Claddagh the only Irish ring tradition?
No. Knotwork, heirlooms and family customs all play a part.
Can you use a family pattern?
Often yes. Send photographs and we will talk through it.
Do you make Celtic designs?
We can design knotwork inspired bands, adapted to your wishes.
Who pays import duty?
The customer pays import duty and tax.