One of the most stunning gemstones has to be the ruby with its rich deep red colour it is loved by jewellery makers in creating there handcrafted jewellery designs. You will find jewellery sets, earrings, necklaces, pendants and rings set with this gemstone and you can see throughout history where this stone was used to create their unique and original designs.

Rubies have been converted and desired for many a long year and has been seen worn by Kings. It is known as the gem of gems surpassing all other semi-precious gemstones. It comes under the category of the mineral corundum and it has a stunning deep rich red colour and is one of the reasons that jewellery designer love to add this semi-precious gemstone in there pieces of handcrafted jewellery.

Ruby throughout history has symbolised love and passion and this is probably due to the rich red colour it posses and it is said if worn it will aid to strengthen friendship and believed to give you eternal beauty. It is the birthstone for anyone that is born in the month of July so it is considered very lucky to wear a piece of handcrafted jewellery with this semi-precious gemstone set into its unique and original design. It also makes a beautiful and thoughtful gift for anyone whose birthday falls within this month.

You can find Rubies in various shades of red; you can see colours that range from a very deep and rich red that has tones of blue and purple within it and also a lighter yellow/red colour. The finest specimens of this stunning semi-precious gemstone are mined in Burma and the colour of the colour of these are very vivid, a pure spectral red with slight under tones of blue and these are the ones that are much sort after for creating stunning pieces of handcrafted jewellery, earrings, jewellery sets, bracelet, rings and earrings all use this beautiful red gemstone in there unusual designs. Ruby is one of the hardest gemstones which make it perfect for cutting and polishing and is extremely durable which makes it the perfect stone for jewellery making.

Translucent varieties of the beautiful gemstone Ruby are available and one of these varieties of translucent Ruby has when cut into a cabochon a six ray star effect. Because of this Ruby was given the name star ruby and is one of the most stunning gemstones that nature has supplied us with. This looks stunning when set into pieces of handcrafted jewellery rings and pendants and when this stone is surrounded by diamonds.
Because the start ruby is so expensive, beautiful and rare it is another stone where you find fakes have been produced.

We have to remember that the more a piece is valued and the greater the demand for a piece the more chance there will be of someone trying to produce a replica. The way that you will find a fake among this gemstone and many others is the clarity of colour, the cut and how hard these stones are as many fakes are crafted from softer stones that will scratch.

If you are looking for a piece of jewellery handcrafted with this beautiful stone then it is advised that you choose a reputable jeweller that has been recommended and will give you assurances that the gem is genuine. Make sure that you have an idea of the design you would like your piece of handcrafted jewellery and also the budget you have to spend. Do not let the jeweller try and make you spend more than you can afford as it is very easy to let your love of gemstone jewellery let you get carried away. Ask the jewellery advice on the care and storage of you new treasure.

Handcrafted jewellery has always had a very special place in Celtic life. We can see this because of all the items that have been found in burial tomes and in sacred religious settings that have been very important in the Celtic history. These pieces of handmade jewellery were worn by both women and men unlike today when jewellery is prominently worn by women.

The crafts men of the ancient Celts were very talented and skilled and produced some amazing pieces of jewellery considering the equipment and materials that were available to them. These pieces were produced with the popular Celtic patterns and themes and these stunning designs are still produced today in the same way.

If we are to think of a piece of handcrafted Celtic jewellery our first thought might go to the famous Celtic ring. This ring has great significance and can be given on an engagement, as a betrothal rings, and as friendship rings. These are predominately a European thing but in the last few years the demands for these designs have become worldwide. These traditional handmade Celtic rings have very beautiful intricate designs of spirals, knots, scrolls and chevrons and all of these have a special meaning and significance.

The most popular and well known of these designs is the Celtic knot and the significance of this lies in obscurity and no one knows it’s true meaning or origin. Some scholars say that the knot symbolizes all the interconnections of life in all forms both in nature and in relationships. The connections of nature were very important to the Celts. Many of these references are seen in myths and legends but no clear theme has been emerged from this.

Celtic crosses are seen on many pieces of handcrafted jewellery and this is no ordinary cross it is quite unique to the Celtic culture. This Celtic knot work is found in designs that pre date Christian times. The designs of these crosses have equal arms that have been enclosed by a full circle. This is known to symbolise and represent the four corners of the earth and the four elements which are air, water, earth and the forth being fire. The circle that is around the cross symbolises infinity and also represents the path of the sun to the sky. This is a contrary mix of designs both the religious Christian symbolism and also the mystical.

This cross design was not only used in making pieces of handmade jewellery like pendants, necklaces, engraved on bracelets and in charms but it can be seen on pottery and in the designs of handcrafted fabrics.

The next most popular design used in the making of handmade Celtic jewellery is the pentangle and this is a five pointed star and this star sits within a circle and again this is said to represent the five sacred elements, fire, water, air, earth and also the spirit. It also represents the five stages of our lives. These five stages are birth, the coming of youth, the coming of adulthood, aging and finally death. This pentangle sign has its roots in paganism and is also associated with Wicca.

Many of the pieces of Celtic jewellery have designs of animals and these are used to represent various aspects of life. Handcrafted jewellery will contain motifs of a geometric motif and these play a large part of the designs and these have been the inspiration for these beautiful pieces for centuries. You will find single spirals, dual spirals, triple centred spirals and chevrons that look like arrowheads. These designs of arrowheads were used by hunters and warriors as good luck charms.

These designs can still be seen today in modern pieces of handmade jewellery and you will see them on earrings, bracelets and pendants and the metal that is commonly used to create these beautiful pieces is silver.

When it comes to the season for use to dress up in our finery and bring out our favourite pieces of unique handcrafted jewellery then Christmas is the one. Family parties and nights out with our colleges are the time when we want to be wearing a sparkly jewellery sets and dangly earrings.

The Christmas season brings the year to an end and paves the way to a new one. We look forward to this holiday season and get excited to the prospect of the parties and celebrations that will be given to us, and also the gifts that we will be giving and receiving.

This is the special season when family and friends get together to show their love and affection for each other. It is the time when we will exchange gifts with each other and if you are giving a present to some that is special and dear to you the you will want to give a present that has special meaning and what better way to do this than a piece of stunning handcrafted jewellery? This could be in the form of a pair of earrings, a beaded bracelet, jewellery sets that have been crafted from pearls or jewellery in any other form. It does not matter how large or small the jewellery gift it will be treasured for years.

In the future when these pieces of handcrafted jewellery are worn they will bring back found and loving memories of the person that gave you the gift. Jewellery has always been a much loved and treasured gift for any woman to receive and will always appreciate its value both monetary but most importantly it sentimental value as a price cannot be put on that. When she wears this unique and unusual jewellery design she will be admired and draw pleasing attention to herself.

So if we are looking for a piece of handcrafted jewellery to give as a Christmas gift what is it we choose? Do we go for a bracelet that has been crafted from stunning lampwork glass beads, if it is in our price bracket than jewellery sets that are crafted from gemstones, it could be a small pair of pearl earrings or a cheap piece of handmade jewellery made from wood but whatever you choose if you have put love and thought into purchasing the piece it will be treasured.

Christmas is also the time handcrafted jewellery gifts of the past come out to be worn as this is the season of parties and we all want to look our best. When we are wearing the new gown to go to the Christmas ball then we will want to compliment it with jewellery sets of sparkly crystals to add some sparkle.

If it is a family dinner we are attending then maybe it is earrings and a matching necklace of freshwater pearls that will suit the occasion. You could be going on a romantic date with your husband and then you would like to wear the pair of earrings that he bought you last Christmas. It could be a fun night out with the girls and this is where you will want to wear your fun and funky pieces of handcrafted jewellery to add some colour to your casual social gathering.

So if you are going to give someone a piece of handcrafted jewellery as a present this Christmas season you are going to find many bracelets, necklaces, jewellery sets and earrings on the market and I am sure that they will all be loved and you will see these pieces being worn for many holiday seasons to come.