Claddagh Ring- The hands represent friendship, the crown- loyalty, and the heart, love. In the sixteenth century an Irish sailor named Richard Joyce was sold into slavery by Algerian pirates. Richard, who was to be married the same week he was captured, was sold to a wealthy Moorish goldsmith who taught Richard the trade. Once there, Richard designed a wedding ring for his fiancee with a heart topped by a crown and held by two hands. Soon, Richard was able to escape and returned to Ireland where he and his fiancée were finally married. Over the years, the design became extremely popular as a betrothal or wedding ring.

Crested rings-Crests were used to be worn on the battlefield to quickly distuinguish friends from enemies. Often, these crests were associated with particular families and passed from generation to generation.

Gimmel (Bond Ring)- This Irish wedding ring originates from the Middle Ages when solemn betrothal by means of the Gimmel or Bond Ring often preceded matrimony. This wedding ring is comprised of three joined rings. If a couple were to be separated, the rings were broken apart at the betrothal in the presence of a witness. The man and woman broke away the upper and lower rings from the central one, which the witness retained. When the marriage contract was fulfilled, the three portions of the wedding ring were again united and the ring used in the ceremony.

Emeralds- Signify success and are appropriate for any Irish wedding ring.