This famous Irish wedding band dates back to a romantic legend of the 17th century.     An original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, (pronounced clada) in Ireland, the design was first fashioned into the traditional ring during the reign of Mary II.

The story goes that a young Irishman Richard Joyce, was kidnapped at sea by pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith, who taught him the craft of jewelry-making over the many long years of his exile.

In 1689 King William III negotiated the return of the slaves and Joyce returned to Galway - despite the goldsmith's offer of his daughter's hand in marriage and a handsome dowry.

Joyce returned home to his one true love, a young woman who had remained equally faithful.     He presented her with the now famous Royal Claddagh gold ring as a marriage proposal, and a symbol of their enduring love.

The two hands on the ring represent their friendship, the crown signifies their loyalty and lasting fidelity, and the symbol of the heart symbolizes eternal love.

They soon married, never to be separated again.     The tradition of the claddagh ring lives on to the present day ...