Claddagh: friendship — ring made of oxidized silver and yellow gold

There was once a small fishing village in the west of Ireland, Claddagh, where one Richard Joyce lived in 1660-1737. He went to work in the West Indies, leaving his homeland where his beloved was waiting for him. His ship was seized by pirates, Richard Joyce himself was captured and sold into slavery to a Moorish jeweler. The slave proved capable, so he quickly and thoroughly mastered his master's craft. Yearning for his distant bride, he created a wedding ring in the form of two hands holding his heart under a crown. This ring later became known as the Claddagh or Claddagh ring.

Richard Joyce eventually succeeded: soon after his coronation in 1689, William III of Orange negotiated with the Moors to free all British slaves. Richard returned to his homeland, where all the while his bride was faithfully waiting for him. They married and Richard devoted himself to the jewellery business in his native land.