This design, that of the heart held between two hands, with a crown on the top is reputed to be of a tradition handed down for many generations in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh, adjacent to the city walls of Galway. Traditionally, this ring was an heirloom of the family, handed down firstly as an engagement ring, then as a wedding ring.

This unique design symbolizes Love in the form of the heart, the hands of friendship cradling it, and the crown of fidelity.

Wear this on your right hand with the heart turned outwards and you are demonstrating to the world that your heart is not yet won.

Worn on the left hand with heart turned inwards, it means two loves joined in matrimony.

A form of this design (without the crown) was uncovered in a sunken Spanish galleon, divers having found it on the hand of a sailor of the unlucky ship foundered on the Irish coastline centuries ago. Inscribed on the inside was the saying in Spanish: No tengo nada, porque darte. Roughly this translates to: I have nothing, for it is given unto you. Some say that the crown was added much later to this traditional style by none other than Queen Elizabeth.

Another story has it that a young man on Crusade was captured, sold into slavery, and wound up in the Moorish lands, learning gold smithing in Morocco. He made his way to Ireland whereupon he was commissioned to make this ring for a noble family.

Enjoy this unique design, and may you add more color to it's meaning by your own appreciation, personal symbolism and further adventures!