The claddagh ring was created in a fishing village named Claddagh, by Richard Joyce. As legend has it, Joyce was captured by
piratesand sold to a Turkish
goldsmith. While
enslaved he mastered the craft of jewelry making and returned to the village when freed. It was then that he created the first claddagh ring which has been passed generation to
generation.
Two hands come together to form the band symbolizing friendship. The hands hold a heart, which symbolizes love, and sitting on top of the heart is a crown, symbolizing loyalty.
When the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing out, the wearer's heart has not been won yet. If the heart is facing in, the wearer is involved with someone special. And if the ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing in, two loves have been joined forever.