Affordable Irish Necklaces - Show off your Sparkle

From ancient times in Ireland necklaces were symbols of power and status. Dating back to the Bronze age, necklaces were a strong way of making a statement and worn by both males and females in times of peace and in battle.

Gold torcs, which were decorative thick collars, were some of the earliest necklaces and historians describe Celtic soldiers as having been seen wearing them.

Often crafted from twisted gold, there were examples found in various locations, including the Hill of Tara and some of the best and most famous are now housed in the National Museum of Ireland on display in Dublin.

In later times, Celtic designs were seen and became much more prevalent and the Celtic knots proved popular along with the symbol of the Claddagh representing love, friendship and loyalty.

A beautiful necklace is such a fabulous way of self-expression and showing off your sparkle and before choosing one it's opportune to ask yourself a few questions:

• What do you want your necklace to do for you? A necklace is more than just something decorative. It guides your style and expression of it. Do you want it to be a subtle, everyday piece that will blend in with many outfits or are you looking for a showstopper to make a big impact for the wow factor? Is this a one-off for an event or is it a piece to showcase a special outfit? Think about the functionality before the design and then work from there.
• What length will you go for? Necklace length is important and most pieces can be adjusted. For the more delicate pieces, they can sit beautifully higher up on the neckline and gently shine or if you want the emphasis lower down a pendant style can suit perfectly.
• What sort of neckline do you have? As we age, sometimes we want to draw attention away from our neckline so a great tip can be to photograph various pieces as the length, width and shape of your neckline can then guide your decision. One trick for dressing if you want to narrow a wide neckline is to use the shape of a necklace. If you already have a low neckline, don't go lower with a necklace. It's also not advisable to add a statement necklace to an already busy neckline.

When it comes to Celtic and Irish necklaces and pendants there are so many stunning choices.

From jewels to symbols to Celtic knots and Claddagh motifs, a necklace is a beautiful idea for a gift or to celebrate a special occasion. Here are three pieces that are very different but their common theme is that they feature the best of Irish craftsmanship and tradition:

This Winter Solstice Celtic Knot pendant has an 18 carat gold bead set into solid sterling silver. The complete knots in the celtic design have no start or finish and are said to represent eternity, whether that is love or friendship.

This Small Yellow Gold Claddagh pendant is an all-time classic. The well known Claddagh symbol that originated from the small fishing village in Co. Galway symbolises love, friendship and loyalty and this is a timeless piece that can be worn daily.

This Personalised Ogham Silver necklace features the ancient Irish script that can be seen engraved onto stones across Ireland. It’s possible to personalise this piece with a name or word which makes it particularly special. The lines and symbols make it perfect for engraving and it will definitely be a conversation piece.

Handcrafted necklaces play a huge part in the history of Ireland and this tradition is set to continue for years to come.