Irish GiftsIrish Jewelry, Rings, Figurines and more!Irish gifts come in all shapes and sizes, from plastic leprechaun figurines to sweeping porcelain Irish angels from companies like the Bradford Exchange. Some of the most beloved Beanie Babies feature an Irish theme, with 10 different styles already in their lineup and many more to come. One of the most beautiful kinds of authentic Irish gifts is the Belleek china collection, an often overlooked treasure in America. Created in their pottery in Ireland since 1865, the Belleek line of Parian China is breathtaking in its simplicity and elegance. It is widely known in England and Ireland as being the standard by which all other china is measured, and is the recipient of countless prizes worldwide. Belleek china is easily recognized by its characteristic soft white color with hints of pastel colors that decorate the floral patterns. Though they are most widely known in America for their trademark shamrock patterned tableware and vases, Belleek also produces handmade china baskets that are simply incredible works of art indistinguishable from traditional baskets in a photograph. The complexity of traditional Celtic knotwork has sparked a great deal of interest in Irish jewelry, even to those who don't consider themselves to be collectors. From the intricate Celtic crosses with their hidden meanings to simpler triskele design with only three turns, each piece seems to convey a feeling of mystery with the beauty of traditional Irish design. An extremely popular piece of Irish jewelry that is usually sold at malls and trade shows are the thin pieces of resin or glass with a genuine shamrock or four-leaf clover embedded in the center. These necklaces are as varied as a real patch of clover, with prices ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars depending on the accents. They're also one of the most popular Irish gifts for a collector or an Irish-loving friend! Without a doubt, the most popular piece of Irish jewelry by far is the claddagh, or the traditional Irish ring worn as an engagement or wedding band. The classic design of a single, crowned heart enfolded by a pair of hands has come to symbolize the best qualities of a strong relationship, whether it be friendship or marriage. The heart stands for love, the hands for friendship and the crown for lasting loyalty and fidelity. Other jewelry featuring the claddagh has been created over the years, enhancing its image as a symbol of love and friendship rather than just a design for an Irish ring. There are beautiful earrings and pendants that incorporate the traditional symbols and give the claddagh a modern look without compromising the classic design. Irish jewelry and Irish rings are quite easy to find if you know where to look. There are so many different designs available that it's not too hard to find one that suits your personality, but it might be very hard to choose just one. Jewelry stores are an obvious choice, but you can find some really unique jewelry by walking the paths less traveled. Street fairs, renaissance festivals and St. Patrick's day festivals are also great options, but if you have access to the Internet you're in for a treat! There are so many amazing artisans who hand craft all their own Irish jewelry out there that it would be impossible to visit them if it weren't for the magic of websites. Some of these artists can even take your suggestions and preferences and create a custom piece for you or your beloved that no one else in the world owns for the ultimate Irish gift. Although it doesn't exactly fit the image of the usual Irish collectibles, Guinness Stout merchandise has managed to carve out a little niche in the market. Though the collectibles may not be traditional, the beer certainly is, and the dark-toned drink has become just as much of a symbol of the Irish as shamrocks. Clothing and shot glasses are at the top of this collectible category, but some collectors will have nothing but their Guinness collection, searching out the strange, humorous and obscure in all corners of the globe. The sheer number of different types of Irish gifts available makes it almost certain that no one collector can have them all. Therefore, some prefer to try and limit their collections to one kind of Irish collectible, such as Irish jewelry, though you probably wouldn't have to do much persuading to get them to accept a shamrock vase or St. Patrick's Day Beanie Baby. Most of the folks who enjoy Irish gifts are not collecting them because they have a certain monetary value, or because they are making an investment. They collect Irish angels, plush toys, figurines and Irish jewelry because it has special meaning to them, because it brings them closer to their heritage, or because it reminds an Irish transplant of their faraway home. To these collectors, the smallest St. Patrick's Day lapel pin has just as much value as an original piece of Belleek china, and they won't let anyone make them feel otherwise. more than Irish gifts on our small collectibles page
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