Fine Irish Jewelry is Fascinating. Why? Because Irish Jewelry is somehow something more than simply the sum of the value of the precious metals and gems used in it’s creation.

Irish Jewelry is a Statement. Irish Jewelry is a conversation. And best of all, Irish Jewelry affords you the greatest consumer guarantee in the world.

When you purchase fine Irish jewelry, either for yourself or as a gift, you are stating that you will settle for nothing less than the very best for yourself and for your loved ones.  You did not buy yourself or your loved one some cheap knock off,  mass-produced , paper-thin,  Celtic looking piece produced from dubious materials in some factory in some god-forsaken place for the cheapest price possible. Rather, you took the time to buy the best value money can buy. You bought Irish.

Your very purchase attests to your love of fine craftsmanship and your support of individual artisans and small cottage industries. You see, nearly all fine Irish Jewelry is made by very small firms, struggling artists, and established family businesses. There are no faceless, global conglomerates producing Fine Irish Jewelry. Fine Irish Jewelry is produced one piece at a time, by master jewellers who spent years as apprentices and who take great pride in their work. You are buying the zenith of the Master Jeweller's paintakingly learned art.

And ultimately your selection speaks volumes about yourself, your values and your culture and your heritage.

Whether you know it or not, every piece of Irish Jewelry has a story behind it. I have been in the business for many, many years and I have yet to see a piece of Irish Jewelry that did not in some way allude to some rich, historical tradition. You see real Fine Irish Jewelry is the physical manifestation of the history of a great and ancient culture. Every piece tells a story and and every piece preserves history.

Next time you see Fine Irish Jewelry, ask yourself or the seller what the design means. You will be surprised.

Nearly all of the Crosses I have seen are based on a real High Cross such as Moone, Clanmacnois, or Duleek. Many of the knots and designs are based on New Grange or taken from pages in the Book of Kells or the Book of Durrows. The Claddagh has a fascinating story behind it as well as the Galway Hooker.

Is that brooch a fish or is it the Salmon of Knowledge? Finn McCool? What do those knots mean? What does that Shamrock signify? Oh the bracelet is a Torc, hmmm what is that? Oh pretty birds. Wrong. Those are the Children of Lir. Beautiful Harp. Gorgeous Irish Wolf Hound Pin. Hmm nice GAA Cufflinks…I am envious. And the list goes on and on and on.

So you can say that Irish Jewelry is more than some bauble made of precious metals. Irish jewelry is a statement and a conversation.

But best of all, besides buying a wonderfully wrought piece of history, when you buy Irish jewelry, you are buying the best guarantee in the world. You are buying something that will probably appreciate in value and you are buying something that is guaranteed to be what it is.

Here in the U.S., the jewellers mark caratage. So is that gold ring you bought really 14 Carat or is it maybe 13.1 Carat? You as a consumer do not know unless you have it assayed.

Well Fine Irish Jewelry solves that problem. All real Irish Pieces are Hallmarked. Before any silver or gold item can be sold, it has to be sent to the Assay Office in Dublin. There the Irish Government determines the piece’s caratage and hall marks it. Only then can it be sold to the consuming public.

Irish Hallmarks are great. They let you know if a piece was genuinely produced in Ireland or if it was Imported from elsewhere. The hallmarks also identify the maker, the fineness, and the year of manufacture.

Here is a hallmark chart.

So the next time you want a Celtic inspired item of jewerly, do yourself a favor, take the time to make sure it is truly Irish Made. It might cost a bit more, but it is well worth it.

Colonel John Chrusciel Jr.
Managing Auctioneer