A Ghrá - Vintage 10K White Gold Irish Claddagh Ring (VR969)

A Ghrá - Vintage 10K White Gold Irish Claddagh Ring. This wonderful ring is crafted from 10K white gold, hallmarked 10K and a makers mark.  Featuring classic design, Victorian styling and exquisite detail. This lovely vintage example displays dainty and finely detailed decoration. The hands are finely carved, and the ring is delicate, however it is still sturdy and substantial.  The shank of the ring is solid, smooth, and polished, which allows for a comfortable fit.  The wonderful vintage Claddagh ring would make a perfect friendship, love, engagement or wedding ring for that special someone. 

Note: A Ghrà means a romantic love in Gaelic.  This particular Claddagh ring has well defined detail and is in pristine condition. A wonderful find and a lovely vintage example. 

The Claddagh ring dates back too the 17th century . It is said that the first Claddagh ring was made by a goldsmith named Richard Joyce, who came from Galway in the West of Ireland.  The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring which represents love, loyalty, and friendship. The design and customs associated with it originated in the Irish fishing village of the same name in Galway. 

The design of the Claddagh shows two hands holding a crowned heart. The meaning is Hand = Friendship, Crown = Loyalty , Heart = Love 

Traditionally a Claddagh ring should be worn differently depending on whether you are single, in a relationship, engaged, or married. 

Single: Wear the ring on the right hand with the heart facing outward from your body. 

In a relationship: Wear the ring on the right hand with the heart facing inwards towards your heart.  

Engagement: Wear the ring on the left hand on the third finger with the heart pointing outward from your body. Married: Wear the ring on the left hand with the heart pointing inwards towards your heart. 

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

White gold is believed to have originated in the early 19th century. At that time, jewelers were looking for a way to create a metal that had the appearance of platinum but was more affordable. They experimented with various alloys, including mixing gold with nickel, silver, and palladium.

Measurements: Face of Ring 15.00 mm x 10.00 mm 

Weight: 2.00 grams 

Ring Size: 5 3/4

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1980