Recently Sold (VR970)

A Ghrá - Vintage 10K White Gold Ruby Claddagh Ring.  This wonderful ring is crafted from 10K white gold, hallmarked 10K and a makers mark.  Featuring a round cut synthetic ruby gemstone, Victorian styling and exquisite detail.  This lovely vintage example displays dainty and finely detailed decoration.  The central portion of the ring exhibits a heart with a crown and and vibrant red ruby gemstone. 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 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.

Synthetic gem crystals have been manufactured since the late 1800s, and their production is often marked by a need for them in industrial applications outside of the jewelry industry. The first success was in producing synthetic ruby of faceting quality.

Measurements: Face of Ring 17.00 mm x 11.00 mm 

Stone Size: Ruby (Synthetic) 2.00 mm round 

Weight: 1.90 grams 

Ring Size: 7 1/2

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1980s