There are a lot of people today who are interested in the history and traditions of the Ancient Celtic people. If you know someone with this interest then you may want to get them a gift inspired by the Celtic people. The good news about that is that there are a lot of different types of Celtic gifts to choose from. The bad news is that there are so many great Celtic gifts that you may have trouble narrowing down your choices to just one gift!

The most popular type of Celtic gift is a gift of jewelry. You can find almost any type of jewelry that has a Celtic design. The most popular type of Celtic jewelry is metal jewelry, usually made from silver or gold. Celtic rings are a favorite choice for many people. If there is someone in your life that you really love then you may even want to look at Celtic engagement rings (or Celtic wedding rings) as a special gift! If the person that you’re giving a gift to is just a friend then a Claddagh ringwould be appropriate. These Celtic rings are actually considered to be Celtic engagement rings but they’re also exchanged as gifts between platonic friends.

If the person that you’re interested in giving a Celtic gift to doesn’t really wear jewelry then you’re next best bet is a gift of Celtic music. There is a lot of good Celtic music that can be found on CD today. Or perhaps the person is a musician herself. In that case, you could choose a really special gift by going to an instrument store and purchasing a traditional Celtic musical instrument for her. Celtic pipes and whistles make great gifts for a music lover.

If jewelry and music isn’t the right gift to give, try one of many other options. There are a lot of great Celtic gifts that are a bit less personal but still special. Books about Celtic traditions are a popular option. Otherwise there are knick knacks and home décor items (such as candle holders) that are decorated with Celtic images. Any of these would make great Celtic gift ideas. From Celtic rings to Celtic books, find inspiration to integrate Celtic traditions into your gift giving.

admin Celtic Articles celtic engagement rings, celtic music, celtic rings, celtic wedding rings

Alexandrite is the birthstone of the month of June. As legend has it, the stone was discovered in the Urals on the birthday of Alexander II, late tsar of the Russian Empire.

Alexandrite’s unique photoluminescent properties have made it an exciting and valuable gemstone to collect. Depending on the trace elements in a particular stone (e.g. chromium, copper, molybdenum, et cetera) the stone changes colors based on the type and intensity of the light that hits it. For instance, some alexandrite stones will appear greenish in natural light but will burn with oranges and reds if you put them under incandescent light sources.

Be aware that “false” alexandrite gems abound in the marketplace (not surprising given that “real deal” stones are both rare and expensive). Corundums are often passed off as alexandrite, since these stones boast similar optical properties – they look bluish in sunlight and red-purplish under incandescent light, for instance – but they’re much less expensive. (Alexandrite can fetch more money per carat than diamond!)

The largest alexandrite stones ever found measure around 26 to 30 carats. A faceted red-green stone that boasts dramatic photoluminescence can cost thousands per carat. Some alexandrite stones exhibit a so-called “cat’s eye” optic phenomenon. Other “cat’s eye” stones made from tourmaline, spinel, and other minerals are considered far less valuable.

To discover amazing alexandrite jewelry for your special June bug, peruse Celtic Birthstone Rings now.

admin Celtic Articles alexandrite, birthstone rings, celtic rings, claddagh

Emerald is the birthstone of May. It is primarily mined today in Brazil, Pakistan, Russia, and Columbia.

Technically, emerald is a kind of beryl. It boasts a chemical formula of Be3Al2(SiO3)6CR and a hardness on the Mohs scale of between 7.5 and 8.0 (less hard than diamond or tourmaline but a pretty tough gem nevertheless!)

Emeralds have been highly prized since antiquity. The Egyptian Empress Cleopatra treasured her emerald possessions more than any of her other jewelry. Lore about the magical powers of emerald abounds. Some believe that the stone has the ability to boost memory, prevent epilepsy, and improve vision. Others contend that emeralds attract love or even provide clairvoyant thinking abilities.

The biggest emerald in the world — at least of gem quality — is over 172 grams and currently resides in the Smithsonian Museum in the nation’s capital.

As a stone, emerald boasts a vitreous luster and fractures concoidally. Even in gem quality stones, it’s possible to often locate impurities and cracks. Many jewelers use an oil solution to obscure such impurities and to clarify stones. This practice has gained widespread use, so even if you buy emerald from a reputable jeweler, you may not be forewarned about it.

The most common color for an emerald is green (of course!), but you can also find blue and yellow emeralds. In general, the dark blue-green stones are more valuable than the lighter yellower stones. But color, clarity, hue, and general aesthetic qualities also play roles in determining a given stone’s value.

In the past few years, many engineers have synthesized emeralds using ultraviolet light, thermal synthesis, and a process called flux growth.

If you’re looking for the perfect emerald gemstone to give to your spouse of 20 years or to your favorite May birthday boy or girl, please browse Celtic Engagement Rings to find high quality stones.

admin Celtic Articles birthstone may, celtic engagement rings, celtic rings, emerald