The legend of the Claddagh ring

Legend has it that at the end of the 17th century the Irishman Richard Joyce was traveling by ship to the West Indies to serve as a servant. This Irishman's intention was to work hard as an expatriate for a while. This way he could save enough money to be able to marry his beloved upon his return and thus start a new life. When his ship was sailing through the Atlantic Ocean when he was attacked and captured by Algerian pirates. Richard is then captured and sold as a slave to a wealthy goldsmith of Algerian origin. He was transferred to Tangier where he learned the goldsmith's trade. Once he learned this beautiful craft and with the hope of seeing his beloved always present again, he designed this famous ring.

William III is crowned King of England and Ireland. By then Richard Joyce had been in captivity for fourteen years. William III ordered that all his subjects imprisoned in Muslim territories be released. During all this time, Richard gradually earned the respect of that wealthy goldsmith who was very saddened by the departure of his seasoned disciple. Then he made him a substantial offer to stay with him: half of his entire fortune and his daughter as his wife, ceasing to be a slave and becoming a free man of equal status. Richard, who in all this time had not forgotten his beloved, declined this offer and left for Irish waters. There he will reunite with his beloved, acquiring the long-awaited marriage.

The Symbology

In addition to the interesting history of the Claddagh ring, its beautiful design is loaded with symbology. The Claddagh ring in its classic design consists of three parts. Each one with a different symbology and all of weight. To start with a heart, the protagonist of the design. Hands that start from the arm of the ring carry this heart and on it a crown. The heart symbolizes love, the hands symbolize friendship and the crown is a symbol of loyalty.

The motto

This piece with so much symbology also has a nice motto which says something like this:

“Let love and friendship reign”

An updated design

We have updated this classic design by making a more elaborate and stylized piece. We have also added three small diamonds to the tips of the crown. This is a handmade ring made of solid gold.

This model is available in white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, all of them 18k, and also in 925 silver.

Claddagh Ring Yellow gold

Rose Gold Claddagh Ring

White Gold Claddagh Ring

Buy Claddagh ring

Now that you know the interesting history of the Claddagh ring, you may want to buy this beautiful design.