Celtic jewelry and designs have been popular for many years and are well known for their intricate and flowing patterns. Celtic jewelry itself is an ancient form of design, with different styles of interconnected lines and symbols that all display the early belief that everything in the world worked together and in harmony.

Different knots, shapes and patterns have come to symbolize different aspects of Celtic belief and culture, although most people today are not aware of all the history behind the pieces. Below are a few of the common patterns and symbols used in Celtic jewelry and their modern or ancient meanings:

Celtic Cross - the original Celtic cross is actually different than the cross associated with Christianity and the modern Christian churches. The Celtic cross has four equally long arms and is always traditionally in front of or enclosed by a circle. This represents the four elements of the world, earth, air, water and fire and the circle of course represents the interconnectedness of the four elements.

Spirals - a very common pattern, sometimes completed with such fine detail they seem to be hypnotic, the spiral indicates birth and the expansion of all living things through life. It is also the symbol of the sun, which is needed for life and growth. A clockwise spiral is the winter sun and a counterclockwise spiral the summer sun. Two spirals going opposite directions back to back are similar to other symbols that indicate balance and good and evil, birth and death and yin and yang.

Chevrons - this looks somewhat like stylized heart shapes but they are connected from the point of one chevron to the widest or top part of the other. They are often used as a repetitive pattern or border type pattern and represent strength and power.

Rope Work - this finely detailed pattern looks like a flat braid or woven piece of rope. It is typically used to provide a border or central pattern on rings and bracelets. The rope work symbol is often paired with crosses and spirals to create a flowing and almost undulating pattern.

Knots - single or double knots are common in the patterns of Celtic design and represent togetherness, loyalty and connection. The knots are formed with no apparent beginning or end and may have also been used to symbolize the eternity of the world. The first Celtic knot patterns were believed to have been developed around 450 AD.

Much of the history and exact meaning behind different Celtic jewelry patterns has been lost and can only be speculated on. Unfortunately there was no written record of what each of the various knots and patterns originally represented and any stories or legends have been long lost. Some basic meanings, such as the three cornered symbol or the trinity knot is found in more than just Celtic jewelry and design and is likely representative of the human body, mind and spirit or of the more Christian representation of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Regardless of the exact meaning behind the Celtic jewelry patterns, it is impossible not to be impressed with the workmanship and detail that goes into creating these infinite patterns. Celtic jewelry is not available everywhere, but with a bit of looking around you are likely to find a piece that really captures your imagination and will make a great addition to your jewelry collection.

Amy Carrington is a fashion maven and an editor at http://www.SorellaJewelry.com Sorella creates personalized jewelry with the names, words, dates and Chinese symbols that matter to you.

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Diamond belly rings are extremely popular and that is largely due to the trend set by many celebrities. We look to celebrities for fashion advice, the latest looks and to see what is popular at the moment in all aspects of life. So when we see celebrities such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton wearing fashionable body jewelry such as navel jewelry, it often makes us want to copy that exact look.

Why Diamond Belly Rings Caught On

The main reason why diamond navel jewelry have become so popular is because it does look fantastic. Britney Spears in particular has made it look sexy and feminine. In fact a number of female celebrities have made women everywhere look at belly button rings in a completely different way.

Wearing short tops that clearly show off sexy diamond belly rings is all the rage among celebrities. Jessica Alba, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears and Beyonce Knowles have all made the belly button ring sexy. The great thing is - you do not have to be a celebrity to copy the look.

While celebrities may wear only the best and most expensive diamond navel rings, you can still purchase affordable diamond navel rings that look just as good. The most popular tend to be bar belly rings which show off a nice diamond in your belly button. If you really don't have a lot of money and you cannot afford real diamond navel jewelry then you could always turn to cubic zirconia. That is basically fake diamond belly rings, but they still look good. However, if you can afford it then it would be better to purchase real diamond navel jewelry.

Overall celebrities have made diamond belly button rings popular and it is no wonder why. They look fantastic and their quality is second to none. So if you have just had your naval pierced then it would definitely be a good idea to follow that celebrity trend and look into diamond belly button rings today!

Looking for gorgeous Diamond Belly Rings? Look no further - visit Belly Button Rings Guide right now!

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Questioning the authenticity of a diamond is common today, especially with today's technology and some very good diamond imitations. If you purchase a diamond you should purchase it from a reputable place. If you receive a diamond as a gift from a friend or loved one, don't feel guilty if the question of authenticity lingers in the back of your mind. After all, the person who gave you the gift supposedly made a substantial investment. They deserve to know if they didn't get what they paid for. So if you feel the need to make sure the diamond that you have is real, there are some ways that you can test it. If you are concerned that you may insult the person who gave you the gift, these tests can, and probably should be, done discretely.

Use a diamond tester

This is an electronic tester that is reliable for indicating if a diamond is real or a stimulant. However you should be aware that moissanite is the only stone than can fool the electronic diamond tester.

Transparency Test

This is a very simple test that anyone can do. If the diamond is not mounted, turn it upside down and place it on a piece of newspaper. You should not be able to read the print through the stone. If the printed matter from the newspaper is legible then you may assume that the diamond is not authentic.

The Fog Test

This is another easy to do test. Place the diamond close to your mouth and let it fog up like a mirror would. If it stays fogged for more than 2-4 seconds the diamond is not real. A real diamond will disperse the heat instantly, so it will be clear by the time you look at it. However, there is one problem with this test. Some jewelers will cap cubic zirconium with real diamond and this is something that will not be revealed with this test.

Use an Ultra Violet Light

Many diamonds will exhibit blue fluorescence under an ultra violet or black light, so the presence of a medium to strong blue will confirm that it is real. The absence of blue, however, does not necessarily mean it is fake. It could simply be a better quality diamond. If you see a very slight green, yellow, or gray fluorescence under ultraviolet light, it may be moissanite.

You will probably want to use at least two of the above tests if you want to check your diamond for authenticity. Hopefully these tests will put your mind at ease and you won't be disappointed.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about jewelry and diamonds. When looking for jewelry, we recommend you shop at these sites for Real diamond gems, fashion jewelry, earrings.

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