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The History of Celtic Jewelry Making
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The enchanting style created by the craftsmanship of the ancient Celts who settled in Ireland many centuries ago, can only be rivalled by the ancient Egyptians.
Celtic craftsmen adapted ideas from nature to produce intricate designs based on simple motifs using gold, bronze, and silver. They created wonderful ornaments that were remarkably sophisticated. Triskeles, Spirals, Animal Motifs and later Crosses were woven into Celtic Knotwork designs. These knotwork designs were woven into rings, torcs, bracelets, earrings, brooches and pendants.
Between 2000 BC to 500 AD gold and silver were used to make beautifully worked personal Jewelry such as Lunulae, collars, fibulae, torques, bangles and brooches. Examples of these are on display today in the National Museum of Ireland.
This celtic jewelry was traded across the Mediterranean because of its beauty and craftsmanship.
 This style was later developed by Irish monks who created marvellous works of art as seen in the great high crosses and in the books of Kells, Lindisfarne and Durrow, possibly the most treasured manuscripts in existence. Some of the world's finest craftsmanship is to be found in their chalices, croziers and Jewelry.
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