The culture of the Celtic people is so rich and meaningful that it has transcended many generations and has remained a powerful tradition even up to now. One testament to this is the immense popularity of Celtic jewelry all over the world. This jewelry, which originates from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, is known for its beauty, charm, and fine metalwork.
However, Celtic jewelry is widely famous not only for the graceful beauty and visual appeal of its designs but more importantly for its symbolic meanings and historical significance. Many people adore the fact that by wearing a piece of Celtic jewelry like a Celtic cross necklace, you can connect with Irish heritage and carry Celtic symbolic meanings.
With the massive fame of Celtic jewelry, it is not at all a surprise that some people would want to take advantage this. Opportunists create fancy Celtic jewelry and make them look like authentic ones. You will find many stores selling all kinds of fake Celtic jewelry because some people prefer these low-cost and affordable items.
However, if you think about it, even though fashion Celtic jewelry are trendy and affordable, the authentic ones are still the way to go if you want to add true elegance to your look and if you want to have a real product of Irish artistry and culture. These aspects are definitely not present in those fashion Celtic jewelry pieces, which are poor imitations of a great work of art.
The bad news however is that sometimes, fake Celtic jewelry can look the same as the authentic one. If you do not have the critical eye for detail, it is possible for you to be deceived into thinking that you are buying authentic pieces while in reality, these are just fakes ones that are not worth your time or money.
Fortunately, with these simple tips, you will be able to choose genuine pieces of Celtic jewelry.
1. Buy from authentic Celtic jewelry maker. Your one option is to buy directly from countries where authentic Celtic jewelry pieces are created such as Ireland, Scotland, or Britain. Another option is to buy from stores who import Celtic jewelry from these countries. Many brick and mortar stores and online shops sell authentic pieces of Celtic jewelry from Celtic wedding rings to Celtic cross pendants. The advantage of buying from an offline store is you can see how the jewelry looks like up close and you will even be able to try it on.
However, most offline stores usually stock limited designs and sizes of Celtic jewelry so your options is not as diverse if you buy from an online jewelry store. The great thing about buying online is since the Internet is an international marketplace, you will be able to enjoy shopping at anytime of the day without having to leave your home.
Of course, you just have to be careful not to fall into the pitfalls of online shopping such as credit card theft and fraud. Rely only an online Celtic jewelry store that has good reputation and has been in the jewelry business for a long time.
Make sure you check the website if it is credit card safe. Look for a closed padlock symbol or the letter ‘s’ after ‘http’ at the web address as these indicate that the website is secure. Also, do not forget to check feedback of past clients on the store you are choosing to buy from.
2. Look at the material of the jewelry. The material of the jewelry says a lot about its quality and authenticity. If you are going to buy a silver Celtic jewelry, see if it is marked with sterling or .925. If you are getting something made of gold, it should be marked 14k, 18k or gold-filled.
3. Talk to the seller of the jewelry. Sellers of genuine Celtic jewelry know the ins and outs of Celtic culture and tradition. A seller, who would try to evade your questions or who would not attend to your queries and concerns, probably does not sell authentic jewelry.
It would help to do some background research first so you would know if the seller is true to his word or he is just making up stories to convince you he is an authentic seller when in fact he does not know what he is talking about.
4. Inquire if the jewelry is handmade or handcrafted. Most people make the mistake of thinking that these two things are the same but they are not. Handmade Celtic jewelry, which is generally more expensive, utilizes manual artisanship for the whole creation of the jewelry piece.
On the other hand, handcrafted means that only the crafting part is done by hands while other parts of the jewelry making such as stamping, die cutting, and casing are made using mechanical means. Do not forget to inquire about this when buying Celtic jewelry.
5. Ask for a receipt or certificate of authenticity. Before you pay for your purchase, ask the seller to furnish you with a certificate or receipt of authenticity. This document should include the original price (and discount if any), material(s) used, type of stones included, and other descriptive information about the jewelry.
Materials used in the jewelry should be stamped or assayed as evidence that they are of the highest quality. If diamonds are included in your Celtic jewelry, see to it that the document also indicates the carat weight and other attributes of the stone.
Many people say that there is little difference between wearing a fashion Celtic jewelry and an authentic one. But if you know the rich culture and tradition behind these wonderful pieces of jewelry, you would know that the price to pay to get authentic Celtic jewelry is truly worth it.
Choosing authentic Celtic jewelry such as Celtic necklaces or Irish engagement rings can be fun and challenging at the same time. By taking time and shopping patiently, you will be able to ensure that you will end up with jewelry pieces that are worth your money.
Tags: Irish engagement rings | Irish engagement rings | Celtic cross necklace | Celtic cross necklace | Celtic wedding rings | Celtic wedding rings