The traditional crafting of Celtic jewelry dates back  for centuries. The intricate designs found on many of these  intriguing pieces of art were largely influenced by designs  found in ancient Celtic manuscripts and feature symbols  representing ideals such as love, loyalty, friendship, and  fortitude. Thus, this ancient art of the Celts is not only  steeped in history but meaning as well. The price ranges of these Celtic art pieces start from low  double-digit dollar amounts for mass-market silver jewelry  to several thousand for high-quality, handcrafted Celtic  jewelry made with precious metals and precious stones.  Like most things, the more unique or rarer it is, the pricier  it gets. A fine jewelry lover can choose from several forms of Celtic  jewelry available. One can find popular items such as  Celtic crosses, Celtic rings, Celtic pendants, and Claddagh  earrings. Celtic Crosses – These beautiful crosses predate the  Christian cross by about two centuries. While the Celtic  cross is believed to bring greater knowledge, understanding  and the fortitude to the wearer, the Christian cross, on the  other hand, is believed to protect the wearer from harm.  Celtic Pendants – Aside from the enduring Celtic cross, the  other popular pendant design involves the Claddagh design.  Celtic pendants may contain precious stones. These make  wonderful gifts to friends and is especially popular as  Mother’s Day gifts. Celtic Rings – Another piece of Celtic jewelry chosen by  jewelry lovers are Celtic rings. These rings commonly  incorporate the Celtic knot design. Celtic knots are  believed to be symbols that represent eternity and undying  love Celtic rings are increasingly used as engagement  rings and wedding rings since they represent fidelity and  commitment. Such rings are also exchanged between  friends because they denote loyalty and friendship among  good friends.  A form of Celtic ring design is the Claddagh. These  wonderful rings incorporate a design that is well  documented in history. The first Claddagh ring was made  over 300 years ago in Claddagh, a small village in Ireland.  A fisherman in this village, Robert Joyce, was captured by  pirates and was later sold as a slave to a wealthy  goldsmith. While working for the goldsmith, he learned the  trade and used it to make a beautiful ring for his love back  in Claddagh. After being released from slavery several  years later, he returned to his old village and presented his  handcrafted ring to his beloved. They were married soon  after.  Claddagh rings use three important symbols in the design:  Two hands representing friendship, a crown representing  loyalty, and a heart representing love. The symbolism  contained in the ring design makes it great as a Celtic  wedding ring or Celtic engagement ring. Claddagh Earrings – Another great use of the Claddagh  design comes in the form of earrings, another wonderful  accessory for a discerning woman’s wardrobe. Celtic  earrings may be studded with precious stones such as  Emeralds or diamonds. The growing demand worldwide make Celtic jewelry great  gifts even among the non-Irish. Anyone can appreciate and  enjoy the beauty Celtic jewelry offers when the meanings  and the traditions are clearly understood. These Celtic works of art may be purchased online or  offline. The smart shopper will probably find a better  selection and prices online. There are lots of reputable  Celtic jewelers online that create unique pieces sure to  become family heirlooms.

Boys have their cars, their game consoles and their plasma TVs. And what about girls then?  Jewelry jewelry and more jewelry.

Marilyn Monroe once sang that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. The truth is, girls like pearls, gold wedding rings, antique ruby earrings and anything shiny and pretty too. Jewelry, you men ought to know, has the power to enchant, enthrall and amuse women. They are the best birthday, Valentine’s, Christmas and anniversary gift. Couple it with sincere apologies and a beautiful necklace becomes the perfect “peace offering” too.

So just how do you choose the perfect jewelry? What are the things you should look for when buying one for your girl? Here are some tips you can follow:

* When choosing the jewelry you want to purchase, consider the personality of the girl you are buying the jewelry for. While it is true that girls like jewelry in general, getting a piece that really suits our tastes and personality makes the gift more special. For an easier and safer choice, consider giving her something with her birthstone.

* Take time when purchasing your jewelry. Be sure you have thoroughly inspected the jewelry for any cracks, scratches and other damages. After all, the lucky woman who’s going to get your gift deserves nothing less than perfection, right?

* There are many scammers out there trying to pass their cubic zirconiums as diamonds or their $2-drugstore jewelry as antique earrings, so be sure that you only buy your jewelry from trusted stores. Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
* If you’re going all out and decided to buy your girl a diamond, know that the things you have to carefully look at are color, cut and clarity. A good diamond (which is mostly colorless but can also come in pink, yellow and other colors) is perfectly cut and absolutely clear.

* Different stones and gems signify different things. Pearls exude elegance, diamonds perfection and ageless beauty. Ask your jeweler suggestions for the appropriate gift to ensure that you are putting across the right message.

* If you’re surprising your girl with an engagement or wedding ring, be sure you know her ring size before you buy the jewelry first. There really is nothing as anti-climactic as getting a ring that is either too small or too big.

* After deciding on which design you want, have the jewelry assessed by an independent party before you pay for it. It’s and added hassle, yes, but remember that it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Whether you are looking for the most beautiful wedding ring for your future bride or antique earrings for you mom, remember to keep all these tips in mind.