Claddagh rings

[opinionspleas]

I am English but my partner is Irish. She has previously bought me a claddagh ring which I wear. I am considering buying her one for her birthday but wasn't sure if this is something I can do given that I am English. Looking for some opinions.

Yes, you can of course. Go for it. I’m Irish and can’t see any problem at all with this. Lots of tourists buy Claddagh rings too.

Course you can! I believe many years ago they were handed down from mothers to daughters in the Claddagh community, Galway. But they're everywhere now. There are two shops in Galway which both claim to be the first to ever sell them lol.

Go for it, you're allowed to buy them, even though you're English!

As she's bought you one already, you're safe from her taking it as a marriage proposal - I know some older Irish couples who wear Claddagh rings as wedding rings, which I think is lovely.

Thank you!

Anyone can wear them.

Traditionally if you wear in with the heart pointing out on your left hand it signifies you're engaged, with the heart pointing in you're married and if worn on your right hand with the heart pointing out means you're open for love.

My family have one that's been passed down over a couple of generations, not sure which family member has it but must check. If I remember correctly it's a thicker and wider ring than the current ones.

When I lived in England one of the ways to spot other Irish people was the Claddagh ring. They are a lovely, universal statement of love, loyalty and friendship.

There is a modern 'take' on the Claddagh ring which I really like, it's small and neat and silver and a different way to wear the Claddagh.

I swear I do not have shares in the company, which is called Glencara Jewelry. I suppose I should say 'Other Claddagh Jewellry Companies Exist'
They have a million and one variations on the Claddagh ring + in other forms.

I won't post a link because that would be going too far with publicising them, but you can google them OP and see what you think.

I've just realised that I found out about Glencara Jewelry from one of those ads that pop up alongside the posts on MN, the only one that has ever been even remotely relevant to my interests

The fact that she started the tradition between you makes this such a nice gift idea. There are no cultural rules about who can give one, it is all about the sentiment. I got mine from Claddagh Rings. They are actually made in Ireland and come hallmarked, which is the official stamp of quality, and the ring arrived in a nice luxury box. Delivery to the UK was easy and the quality was exactly what I wanted.