Claddagh Rings

The Claddagh Ring — Symbol of Love, Friendship and Loyalty

The Claddagh ring is one of the most recognisable symbols in Irish culture. Three elements combine to tell a complete story: the heart represents love, the hands represent friendship, and the crown represents loyalty. Together they form a declaration that has been exchanged between lovers, friends and family members for more than three centuries.

The design originates from the small fishing village of Claddagh, just outside Galway, in the late 17th century. According to tradition, the ring was first crafted by Richard Joyce — a Galway man who, while enslaved in North Africa, learned the goldsmith's trade and created the ring upon his return home as a gift for the woman he loved. Whether or not the legend is wholly accurate, the design has remained essentially unchanged ever since.

At Royal Mile Silver, our Claddagh rings are available in sterling silver, gold vermeil and rose gold vermeil, each crafted to the same traditional design with contemporary finishing. Every ring is gift-boxed as standard and dispatched from our Royal Mile shop in Edinburgh, Scotland.

How to Wear a Claddagh Ring

The tradition of how to wear a Claddagh ring carries meaning in itself. The hand you wear it on, and the direction the heart faces, signals your relationship status:

Right hand, heart pointing outward (away from you) — you are single and open to love.

Right hand, heart pointing inward (toward you) — your heart is spoken for, you are in a relationship.

Left hand, heart pointing inward — you are engaged or married. Worn on the left ring finger in this position, the Claddagh ring takes the place of, or sits alongside, a traditional engagement or wedding ring.

Of course, many people wear a Claddagh ring simply because they love the design — there are no rules. It works equally well as a statement piece on any finger, or as a stacking ring worn alongside other bands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Claddagh ring mean?

The three elements of the Claddagh ring each carry their own meaning: the heart symbolises love, the hands symbolise friendship, and the crown symbolises loyalty. Worn together, they represent the ideal foundations of any lasting relationship. The ring is commonly given as a token of romantic love, but is also exchanged between close friends and passed down through generations as a family heirloom.

Can you wear a Claddagh ring if you're not Irish?

Absolutely. The Claddagh ring is beloved worldwide and worn by people of all backgrounds. While its roots are Irish, the values it represents — love, friendship, loyalty — are universal. It's a meaningful piece for anyone who connects with the sentiment, regardless of heritage.

Do Claddagh rings make good engagement rings?

Yes — the Claddagh ring has been used as an engagement and wedding ring for centuries. Worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward, it carries exactly the right symbolism for a commitment. It makes a particularly meaningful alternative to a conventional solitaire, and some couples choose to give a Claddagh as an engagement ring and a plain band as a wedding ring, wearing both together.

Can men wear Claddagh rings?

Yes. The Claddagh ring has never been exclusively a women's ring — historically it was worn by both men and women. Our sterling silver Claddagh rings for men are available in larger sizes and feature a slightly bolder, heavier profile suited to a man's hand. Browse our Claddagh ring for men for the full range.

What is the difference between sterling silver and gold vermeil?

Sterling silver is a durable alloy of 92.5% pure silver — the standard for quality silver jewellery. Gold vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") is sterling silver with a thick layer of gold plating — in our case, yellow gold or rose gold. Both are high-quality, long-lasting options. Sterling silver has a cool, bright finish; gold vermeil has the warmth and colour of gold at a fraction of the price of solid gold. All of our Claddagh rings are hallmarked and come gift-boxed.

Are Claddagh rings available in my size?

Our Claddagh rings are available in standard UK ring sizes. If you're unsure of your size, see our ring sizing guide. We also offer a straightforward ring size exchange service if your ring doesn't fit — just cover the return postage and we'll swap it for you.