Sunny's Engagement Ring

I was really looking for one of two things... an emerald solitaire or a Claddagh ring... this has the best of both.  The Claddagh ring is a symbol of 'love, loyalty, and friendship,' the design saying "With these hands, I crown your heart with my love."   I've also read it means, "The hands are there for friendship, the heart is there for love.  For loyalty throughout the year, the crown is raised above."  The legend has it that the design was conceived in a small fishing village in Ireland called Claddagh.

Further legend describes the symbolism in more detail:  Dagda, the father of the Gods was a powerful being, complete with the ability to make the sun stand still. This he did once and stretched a day and night into nine months, in which time he bedded with a goddess and she bore him a son. According to legend, Dagda represents the right hand of the ring.

In the time of the ancient Celts, Anu was the ancestral and universal mother of the Celtic people. She is also known as Danu to her people. She is said to represent the left hand of the ring.

The crown represents Beathauile. Beathauile does not appear to be a person or a god but appears to represent all of life. Gaelic-English dioctionaries indicate that beatha translates to the word life and uile to the word whole or all.

Finally, the heart represents the hearts of each and every member of mankind, in addition to the element which gives everlasting music to the Gael.

Throughout each varying symbolism, a single theme shines through, specifically that the ring symbolises the trinity of "Love, Loyalty, and Friendship" or, in Gaelic, "Gr?, D?lseacht agus Cairdeas" (pronounced 'graw, dealshocked ogis cordiss').

There are also many varying stories of how the ring came to be, and of lovers of old who wore them.

I chose the emerald as my stone for many reasons, and chose against diamonds, specifically, because of the many and varied humanitarian atrocities perpetrated by the diamond mining companies.  (This is a very personal choice, and not meant to be a judgment on those who wear diamonds; I've had them and worn them, and they're beautiful.  It's just become a matter of conscience to me, personally, since I found out about the conditions of the industry.)

Some interesting facts about the emerald:  The earliest Emeralds were found in Egypt almost 4,000 years ago, and were highly prized by Cleopatra. It was said that Emperor Nero wore glasses with lenses made of Emerald when viewing the gladiators in battle to "soothe his eyes". Emerald is also believed by some to improve one's memory including sharpening the wit and quickening our intelligence, or helping a person to become an eloquent speaker. A symbol of the Greek Goddess Venus, Emerald is reported to reveal the truth or falsity of a lover's oath. It is also said to provide the owner with the ability to see and foretell the future bringing good fortune.  Emeralds have been the most treasured green gemstone for centuries. Though rich and vibrant, the finest Emeralds are also soft, velvety and elegant. Symbolizing youth, vitality, and rebirth Emerald is the right choice for one to enhance their spirit. A gem with calming and relaxing powers, Emerald will remain one of the most sought after varieties of the gemstone kingdom.

At any rate; this is my engagement ring... just wanted to share it!

Credit for Claddagh and Emerald information:

http://www.enteract.com/~cpm/irish-faq/claddagh/claddagh.html

http://www.ags.org/public/gemstone/emerald/emerald.htm