These February Claddagh Earrings are set with a beautiful Amethyst stone in the Claddagh heart, the birthstone for February. The Claddagh heart symbolizes love, the hand’s friendship and the crown loyalty.
The Amethyst stone is often called the artist’s stone. This is because it is believed to aid creativity. It is also known as the stone of protection, tranquility and contentment. The ancient Greeks gave it its name which means “without intoxication”. They believed it to protected again poisoning. Artist Leonardo da Vinci wrote that amethysts enhance intelligence and protect against evil thoughts.
The Claddagh Ring dates to the 17th century and originated in the little fishing village of Claddagh in County Galway, Ireland. Legend has it that Richard Joyce, a Galway native, was captured and sold to slavery in North Africa. However, Joyce found himself slave to a Turkish Goldsmith, and from his master he learned and excelled at the craft.
He was finally released after 14 years, on the orders of William III. The Goldsmith for whom he was working for was so impressed by his work that he offered his daughters hand in marriage to him as well as half his property to try and get him to stay. But Joyce refused the offer and returned to Galway, where his sweetheart awaited him. But while in captivity, he had made what we now know as the Claddagh Ring especially for her. For centuries this was used as a wedding ring by the fisher folk of Claddagh village.
The February Claddagh Earrings are a great gift to give to a friend born in February. We also have a matching February Birthstone Claddagh Ring and February Claddagh Pendant which makes the perfect gift combination.