Celtic jewellery has become immensely popular in recent years, particularly celtic crosses, the triscal design, the claddagh and a wide variety of celtic knotworks. These Celtic symbols have been used in all forms of jewellery, predominantly rings but also earrings, pendants, necklaces, brooches, kilt pins, bracelets, bangles etc.

But who were the Celts and where do these Celtic designs originate from? The Celts were tribal societies which are believed to have originated in Austria around 800BC and spread to much of Europe. However, by around 1000AD, following the rise of the Roman Empire, Celtic culture was mostly restricted to Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Celtic languages are still spoken in Scotland and Ireland to this day and Celtic culture and art remain a major influence on Scottish and Irish jewellery making.

The earliest known Celtic writing was called Ogham also known as the "Celtic tree alphabet" as the names of trees represented the individual letters and the writing was originally made with twigs. Ogham writing has been found carved on many ancient standing stones, graves and also artwork such as "the skara spiral" which can be found in the museum at Tankerness in the Orkney Islands. The Orkney Islands are still a major centre for Celtic jewellery design and Ogham writing is incorporated in the work of some designers from this area such as Sheila Fleet.

The Irish monks also had a major influence on Celtic Jewellery, designing the popular Celtic cross. Interlacing knot patterns in artworks became popular in the Roman Empire around the third and fourth Century AD. However the first true celtic knotworks are seen in Irish monks gospel books such as the Book of Kells and the Book of Lindisfame.

The triscal (also spelled triskele) is an ancient triple spiral design which was found in many Celtic and pre-Celtic artworks and burial sites. The original symbolism of this design is unknown, however it is a symbol which has since been used to represent a wide variety of triplicities. Religions have used the triscal, to represent for example the christian trinity (father, son and holy spirity) and it also has many symbolisms for pagans and wiccans. The triscal can also represent, past, present and future, the three realms land, sea and sky, the three ages of woman, the child the lady and the hag etc. The triscal symbol is used extensively in Celtic rings and other Celtic jewellery.

The Claddagh symbol originated in the village of Claddagh in Ireland. This symbol is most often used in rings and depicts two hands holding a heart, sometimes the heart has a crown on top. The Claddagh ring is traditionally given as a symbol of love or friendship.

The knotwork designs from these books and other artworks have been incorporated in the jewellery of many designers from Scotland and Ireland, many of these knotworks and other celtic designs were inspired by nature.

Some famous designers such as Archibald Knox have modernised celtic knotworks into Art Nouveau designs. Knox famously described the Book of Kells as "the work of angels". Knox's work was also heavily influenced by the knotworks on graves and standing stones in the Isle of Man where he was born, and lived most of his life.

Celtic knotwork rings have become a very popular wedding ring style, their are a huge variety of knotworks available and they are made in many precious metals, including silver, gold, white gold, palladium and platinum. More recently celtic knot rings have also been made in other metals such as tungsten carbide, titanium and zirconium which are popular industrial metals, usually purchased by men. Rotating rings or "fiddle rings" are also popular choices where the knotwork rotates around the wedding ring.

Jewellery designs which incorporate Celtic knotworks are now made all over the world, however, many feel that the most authentic Celtic jewellery are the pieces made by designers in Ireland and Scotland.