Celtic jewelry today is one of the niche jewelry styles that is enjoying a renaissance. So who were the Celts and where do the jewelry designs come from?

The Celts were a group of people first originating in Germany and eastern France in the 2nd millennium BC; however they can be traced back as far as India. They spread throughout Europe and for a long time occupied the territory of Gaul which is roughly the modern territory of France and Belgium. They were extinguished by the Romans and currently Celtic culture remains only in Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Wales, Cornwall in England and North Spain.

The jewelry designs that are produced today largely come from ancient Celtic art. There were several rich periods that have produced many works of art. The Hiberno - Saxon style flourished in the 7th and 8th century producing the Tara Broach, the Ardagh Chalice and the Derrynaflan Chalice. The introduction of the filigree style, interlace patterns and animal ornamentation resulted in the book of Durrow, the Lindisfarne Gospels and also the Book of Kells. Silver was popular in the 9th and 10th century producing many fine Celtic brooches and finally sculpture and cross were popular in the 9th and 10th century.

The following Celtic designs and Celtic symbols make up the backbone of Celtic art. Knotwork, borders and panels.-Interlacing knotwork patterns with their unbroken lines, symbolise mans eternal spirit. Often they were used to interlace limbs and bodies of humans, birds and reptiles. Spirals-It represents eternal life. The circle may be considered as man’s first step in art. Key patterns -Key patterns could be described as spirals in straight lines repeated to form a pattern. Lettering - In ornamented manuscripts the above Celtic design patterns were used to beautifully transform a letter into a piece of art.

The trinity knot is particularly popular in modern Celtic jewelry. It appears as 3 oval shapes interlaced so that there is no beginning and no end. Its ancient representation was body, mind and sole. Its Christian representation is father, son and Holy Spirit and the more popular modern meaning is never ending love. Celtic crosses are a must have for anyone claiming Celtic descent. Manufacturers are reproducing gold and silver replicas of ancient cross and introducing some gems to enhance its look. Apart from pendants and earrings, Celtic wedding bands and indeed Celtic Engagement Rings are currently highly popular.