Men's Jewelry: It's Not Just for Women Anymore

Written by Antigone Arthur


Find out what mens jewelry is in, what to buy for a loved one and more!

People often associaterepparttar term "jewelry" with something a woman possesses and covets. Yet for centuries mens jewelry has been fashionable and popular among elite and average men alike. Kings and Pharaohs in ancient times wore jewelry as a symbol of power and prestige. Whether a member of a tribe, team, work group or family many men wore rings as a symbol of their belonging or achievement.

Jewels and jewelry have been coveted sincerepparttar 145972 beginning of time, as symbols of power, richness, beauty, commitment and even pride. Just as princesses and Queen's of old fell underrepparttar 145973 spell of sparkling gems, so too have men fallen underrepparttar 145974 tempting promise a precious metal offers.

History shows that men have worn jewels and rings for a variety of reasons. Most jewelry serves as an aesthetically pleasing accompaniment to a wardrobe or fashionable figure. Yet mens jewelry has also served functional purposes, including describing a male's social status, place in society and of course, marital status.

Men's Wedding Bands

Mens wedding bands are amongrepparttar 145975 most common form of mens jewelry purchased. The tradition of offering a double ring or mens wedding bands at a wedding ceremony can be traced back torepparttar 145976 mid 1940s inrepparttar 145977 United States. At this time jewelry manufacturers popularizedrepparttar 145978 idea of offering a groom's wedding band asrepparttar 145979 perfect accompaniment torepparttar 145980 ladies wedding ring. The idea of a groom's ring however, existed long before advertisers popularized it. In fact, consumers had already bought intorepparttar 145981 idea that a groom's ring symbolized much more than marriage, but also male prosperity and stability.

Amongrepparttar 145982 more common and popular forms of mens jewelry onrepparttar 145983 market today isrepparttar 145984 mens diamond wedding band. Many gentlemen prefer to purchase a dual wedding set featuring a mens diamond wedding band and ladies diamond wedding ring. Mens wedding bands are often much thicker than women's. Though many men prefer jewelry that is subtle and less adorned, others prefer mens wedding bands that are ornate and intricate.

Accessories

There is no end torepparttar 145985 jewelry accessories available to today's modern man. Mens jewelry often comes with complementary mens jewelry boxes made to hold a collection of cherished pieces. In fact, many men have so many necklaces, rings and bracelets one might consider mens jewelry boxesrepparttar 145986 ideal gift.

Other more common accessories offered inrepparttar 145987 mens jewelry category includerepparttar 145988 following:

  • Cufflinks
  • Bracelets
  • Money Clips
  • Rings
  • Watches
  • Earrings
  • Chains

There is virtually nothing one can buy a woman that they can't buy a man when it comes to fashionable and tasteful mens jewelry. Don't be surprised to find many women out shopping for mens jewelry, a trend that is increasingly more popular as men continue to grow in their love of jewels and precious accessories. Why not? Who doesn't want to adorn their bodies with precious gems and sparkling gifts that say, I'm strong, I'm powerful, I'm handsome.

Celtic & Claddagh Jewelry

Written by Antigone Arthur


The History of Symbolism, Legend & Lore

History of Claddagh Jewelry

Claddagh jewelry is modeled afterrepparttar claddagh ring, which first surfaced in Ireland more than 400 years ago. The claddagh ring has a rich history; if you aren't familiar already,repparttar 145971 claddagh ring is shaped to resemble two hands grasping a heart with a crown on top. Legend & lore has several explanations forrepparttar 145972 creation of this unique and popular pattern.

One legend is that a man named Richard Joyce while on a voyage torepparttar 145973 Mediterranean was captured by Armenian pirates, and spend years in captivity as a result. While held captive he learnedrepparttar 145974 skills necessary to become an artificer of precious metals. Joyce eventually was returned to his homeland, despite protests from his owner, who had wished he would marry his daughter. Joyce pursued a career in crafting gold and silver jewelry.

Many myths abound as to how Joyce came up withrepparttar 145975 symbolism he used in his claddagh jewelry, butrepparttar 145976 true origins are not known.

Yet another legend follows a similar story; it tellsrepparttar 145977 tale of Richard, a young man who was kidnapped by Spanish pirates one day while fishing with other men in his family. Richard and his family were sold into slavery offrepparttar 145978 North Coast of Africa. Just before being captured Richard had met his true love, and lived in fear that he would never see her again. Richard longed for his beloved, and each day to remember her he stole a minute amount of gold fromrepparttar 145979 slave masters shop where he worked. After years had passed he was able to create a ring withrepparttar 145980 gold he gathered. Richard's hope was that one day, if freed, he could presentrepparttar 145981 day to his love. One day Richard was able to return to Ireland, and found his beloved awaiting him. He offered herrepparttar 145982 claddagh ring for her devotion and patience.

The second story regardingrepparttar 145983 origin of this style ring and other claddagh jewelry is much more highly regarded, because among other things claddagh jewelry has come to symbolize love and devotion.

Claddagh jewelry has become very popular in Ireland overrepparttar 145984 centuries, and many ofrepparttar 145985 pieces fashioned after this style are often kept as heirlooms among family members. Atrepparttar 145986 time of Joyce there was a Claddagh village, which remained as a self contained community until about 70 years ago. Jewelry fashioned inrepparttar 145987 claddagh style is considered part of Irish legend & lore, and remains an important part of Irish history. Today claddagh jewelry is worn as a symbol of Irish heritage, friendship, unity and love among people in all cultures.

Tradition has it that if a claddagh ring is worn onrepparttar 145988 right hand, withrepparttar 145989 crown turned inwardrepparttar 145990 wearer is still searching for love; ifrepparttar 145991 crown is worn facing outward love is inrepparttar 145992 air. For those that wearrepparttar 145993 ring onrepparttar 145994 left of course, a person is said to be spoken for.

Celtic Jewelry Traditions

Celtic jewelry, like claddagh jewelry is rich in history and tradition. The term "Celtic" typically refers to people who are descendants of different provinces of western Europe, who lived duringrepparttar 145995 time aroundrepparttar 145996 birth of Christ. Most Celtic history, legend & lore have been passed down from generation to generation via word of mouth, or through artwork and symbolism. Much celtic jewelry displays symbolism that represents life, death,repparttar 145997 change of seasons, love and human spirit. Celtic jewelry is often embedded with many symbols that have been passed down from as early asrepparttar 145998 8th century B.C.

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