This January Claddagh Pendant is set with a beautiful Garnet stone in the Claddagh heart, the birthstone for January. The Claddagh heart symbolizes love, the hand’s friendship and the crown loyalty.
The Garnet stone is meant to help eliminate negative feelings and instill greater self-confidence. In ancient and medieval times, gems like garnet were also thought to be remedies for inflammatory diseases and to soothe the angry heart.
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 Garnet stone is considered a great gift to symbolize friendship and trust. We also have a matching January Birthstone Claddagh Ring which would be perfect with this January Claddagh Pendant.