Here are brief guidelines to help you buy jewelry online. Follow these steps, and you will be much more likely to get quality gems from a reputable dealer at an affordable price.

#1 — Begin with the end in mind
Before you even start looking, write down your “parameters.” Who are you shopping for? How much money do you have to spend? What is the jewelry for (e.g. an Irish wedding gift)? Do you need it personalized? Set your vision for what you want to get and what you want to spend before you begin browsing options. This will keep you focused and protect your pocketbook.

#2 — Open your mind to different styles

You may have your heart set on a traditional Claddagh ring for your honey. And while you may ultimately choose this option, don’t be afraid to explore necklaces, pendants, and charms. Often, our best jewelry decisions are spontaneous. The magic of a Celtic bracelet may sweep you away, for instance. As long as you stay within your price range, let your imagination run wild.

#3 — Understand the piece before buying it

Knowing an item’s mythology and history makes you appear more thoughtful as a gift giver and protects you against making bad buying choices.

#4 — Only do business with reputable dealers

This should go without saying. But it can be all too easy — when you’re buying jewelry online and bargain-hunting — to wind up at a less-than-reputable site. Make sure your online dealer boasts a solid reputation, has a safe and secure purchasing system, and has good customer reviews. Read over terms of the purchase agreement, and understand how and when your item will ship to avoid an awkward situation where you have to explain to your giftee that “sorry for the delay, but your gift will be here soon… probably.”

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Here’s a quick primer on some of the more popular styles and designs of modern Irish jewelry.

Claddagh ring — The Claddagh design symbolizes loyalty, friendship, and love with its telltale Celtic knot. It is often used as a wedding ring. It features two hands holding a heart. Although Claddagh rings are commonly exchanged in Irish weddings today, this custom is actually relatively recent, according to leading historians.

Celtic Cross — This design — which is essentially a traditional Christian cross “gone Celtic” –dates back at least to the 500s if not earlier. In medieval times, the Celtic Cross served to commemorate public buildings and churches. Today, its design is used often in jewelry as well as in “workaday” items such as tattoos and T-shirts.

Other Celtic knots — Telltale Irish interlacing patterns — which have actually been around since Roman times, according to anthropologists — adorn many modern Irish jewelry pieces, such as necklaces, bands, and pendants. Motifs used in Irish art vary wildly. You can find spirals, woven bands known as plaits, and an endlessly bewildering array of other patterns.

Trinity knot — A simple woven knot that represents the holy trinity of Christianity. It symbolizes faith, love and commitment.

Shamrock — The shamrock is a traditional Irish clover symbol that is said to confer luck, love, and friendship on the wearer. Note that the shamrock design is a three-leaf clover (as opposed to the iconic four-leaf clover so often associated with Irish good luck in popular culture.)

Steven Forsyth – Celtic Rings Ltd

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The third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, Galway is the fastest growing city in the country. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it’s the province of Connacht’s only city. Galway has become a popular weekend destination for Irish natives as well as a favorite vacation destination for tourists. The city has a lot to offer travelers from both near and far including a rich Gaelic culture, numerous festivals, lively pubs and restaurants, an engaging art scene, historical sights, shopping, theater and magnificent vistas. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Lough Corrib, it enjoys a mild, breezy climate that is welcoming to visitors.

Though a small city, Galway is not short on things to do. The center of town is great for walkers to tour and explore. A number of tourism kiosks offer advice on what to see and do as well as maps on where to go. Shop Street, the city’s main street, has a quaint medieval feel and is lined with pubs, restaurants and shops. Pubs are open quite late on the weekends and the nightlife can get rowdy with students and weekend travelers enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Located between Shop Street and Abbeygate Street, Lynch’s Castle is also a popular tourist destination. A limestone home built in the Irish gothic style circa 15th or 16th century, it is the only complete secular medieval structure left in Galway. Visitors can tour the ground floor (now operating as Allied Irish Bank) and view the history of the building. Other tourist spots include the Spanish Arch, Galway City Museum, Lynch Memorial Window, Salmon Weir Bridge, Eyre Square and Nora Barnacle House.

Just outside the walls of town is an old Irish-speaking fishing village known as the Gladdagh district. This was the birthplace of the famously Irish Gladdagh motif (also known as Claddagh), which features two hands holding a heart wearing a crown. This motif is most commonly seen on Claddagh rings, which have remained popular for several hundred years. According to tradition, women wear a Claddagh ring with the heart facing in if the are married and out if they are unmarried.

Steven Forsyth – Celtic Rings Ltd

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