How to pick the right Claddagh ring
Lets start off by saying you should pick the correct ring size style that's correct for you. There are basically 4 types of Claddagh ring size styles. (1) Baby, suitable for young children. (2) Maids (small), suitable for teenage girls or petite women. (3) Ladies, suitable for your average woman (4) Men's, suitable for you average Man.
The Baby Claddagh rings have the smallest face averaging about 6mm from the top of the crown to the bottom of the heart and come in ring sizes 2 to 6. The Maids Claddagh rings usually have a small face, averaging about 8mm from the top of the crown to the bottom of the heart and come in ring sizes 3 to 9. The Ladies has a little larger face, averaging about 11mm from the top of the crown to the bottom of the heart and come in ring sizes 4 to 10. The Men's Claddagh ring has the largest face averaging about 14mm from the top of the crown to the bottom of the heart and come in ring sizes 8 to 13. Obviously you want to pick a Claddagh ring that's best suitable for the size of your fingers.
Choosing the correct size is crucial to the long term comfort of wearing your Claddagh ring. We always recommend getting your ring size professional sized at your local Jewelers as it will save you the hassle of returning your ring for exchange or re-sizing if your Claddagh ring does not fit properly. Just a couple of points to remember. Your ring fingers may swell up in warm weather or if you are pregnant. Loosing or gaining weight will also affect your ring size.
Some people cannot wear sterling silver Claddagh rings as there perspiration turns the skin around the Claddagh ring black or a dark green. This used to be worse when there was nickel mixed with sterling silver but nowadays nickel is rarely used in the manufacture of Claddagh rings.
Now style is a very subjective thing. Picking the right Claddagh ring style to suit you style is getting easier these days as there are now much more Claddagh ring styles available other than the old traditional plain Claddagh ring with the crown on top of the heart and 2 hands holding the heart. There are now lots of different styles of Claddagh rings that contain all kinds of gemstones in the center of the heart and/or the hands and cuffs. Birthstone Claddagh rings are now widely available signifying the month you were born in. For example a garnet signifies you were born in January. There are now lots of contemporary Claddagh rings that keep the 3 basic elements of the Claddagh ring, the crown, heart and hands but have a modern twist.
Matching your Claddagh ring to other pieces of Claddagh jewelry has also become easier nowadays as there are now matching necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bangles, watches, pins, lockets and charms available.
Being proud of your Irish heritage. So openly wearing a Claddagh ring shows all you a proud of your Irish heritage. It can also show if you are in a relationship and what type of relationship, but I am sure you already know that. If not please check out our "meaning of the Claddagh ring" post. Picking the right Claddagh ring for you can be a little difficult but will a little thought its very achievable.
|
|
How to pick the right Claddagh ring
|
|
|