A two-piece Claddagh ring set in black and red. Two sculpted hands hold a 6 × 8 mm natural garnet, pear cut, beneath a crown of three lab-grown ruby marquises. A contoured band set with a row of black onyx nests against it, with an open heart holding a round lab-grown ruby. Solid 925 sterling silver with a black ruthenium finish.
Natural Garnet
Pear Cut, 6 × 8 mm
Lab-Grown Ruby Crown
Black Onyx Band
Claddagh Design
Two-Piece Nesting Set
Black Ruthenium Finish
Sizes 4–11
Two Rings, One Claddagh
Engagement Ring
Two hands meet around the pear garnet and hold it in place. Three lab-grown ruby marquises fan out from its rounded end as the crown, and a round black onyx sits on each shoulder.
Heart and Crown Band
A curved band set with a row of black onyx along its length. At the center, an open heart holds a round lab-grown ruby under a small crown.
The Claddagh comes from Ireland and has three parts: hands for friendship, a heart for love and a crown for loyalty. Here the pear garnet stands in for the heart, and the band repeats the heart and crown above it. The two rings are shaped to close together, but each one wears well alone. If you are looking past a plain solitaire, our guides to fantasy engagement rings and non-traditional engagement rings map the wider field, and what hand an engagement ring goes on covers the question every Claddagh raises.
The Garnet
The center is natural garnet, the January birthstone, in a deep wine red. It is cut as a 6 × 8 mm pear so the point sits toward the band and the rounded end meets the crown. Garnet runs 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and takes a bright polish, which is why it has been set in rings since antiquity.
Our garnet engagement rings guide covers which garnets hold up as a daily ring, garnet meaning covers its history, and garnet vs ruby sets the two red stones in this set side by side. For the wider field, see red engagement rings.
Metal and Stones
Both rings are solid 925 sterling silver with a black ruthenium finish, a platinum-group metal that settles to a deep gunmetal rather than a flat black. Against it the garnet and ruby read brighter than they would on silver.
The pear center is natural garnet. The three marquises of the crown and the round stone in the heart of the band are lab-grown ruby: real corundum grown in a laboratory, not a simulant, and the July birthstone. The round stones on the shoulders and along the band are natural black onyx. Our ruby meaning post covers the stone's history.
Part of our garnet engagement rings, ruby engagement rings, Celtic engagement rings and gothic engagement rings collections, alongside the rest of our black ruthenium jewelry, January birthstone jewelry and July birthstone jewelry. Our January birthstone guide has more on garnet as a gift.
Specifications
-
Set includes: Claddagh engagement ring and heart and crown band — two rings
-
Center stone: Natural garnet, pear cut, 6 × 8 mm
-
Accent stones: Lab-grown ruby marquises and round; natural black onyx rounds
-
Metal: Solid 925 sterling silver, black ruthenium finish
-
Setting: Prong-set center held between two sculpted hands
-
Hardness: Garnet 6.5 to 7.5, ruby 9, onyx 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale
-
Birthstones: January (garnet) and July (ruby)
-
Sizes: 4 to 11, including half sizes
-
Engraving: Available, up to 16 characters
-
Presentation: Free luxury velvet jewelry box
Care
Garnet is 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and suits regular wear. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush, working along the onyx row where lotion collects, then dry before storing. Onyx is slightly porous, so keep the set away from bleach and solvents. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and household chemicals, which dull the ruthenium finish, and avoid sharp knocks to the pear point. Store the set in its velvet box rather than loose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Claddagh ring mean?
The Claddagh is a traditional Irish design: two hands for friendship, a heart for love and a crown for loyalty. This set reads the same way, with two hands holding a pear garnet beneath a crown of three red marquise stones.
How many rings come in the set?
Two. The Claddagh engagement ring and a contoured heart and crown band that nests against it. Both ship together in one box.
Is the garnet natural?
Yes. The 6 × 8 mm pear center is natural garnet, mined rather than grown.
What are the red marquise stones?
They are lab-grown ruby: real corundum grown in a laboratory, with the same chemistry and 9 Mohs hardness as mined ruby. The small round stone inside the heart of the band is also lab-grown ruby.
What are the black stones?
Natural black onyx. A round onyx sits on each shoulder of the engagement ring, and a row of onyx runs along the band.
Is garnet a birthstone?
Yes. Garnet is the January birthstone, and ruby is the July birthstone, so the set covers both months.
Is garnet hard enough for everyday wear?
Garnet is 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which suits regular wear with ordinary care. The ruby accents are 9 and the onyx is 6.5 to 7. Take the set off for the gym, gardening and heavy cleaning.
How dark is the black ruthenium finish?
Ruthenium settles to a deep gunmetal rather than a flat jet black. The slight reflectivity keeps the hands, the onyx row and the heart visible instead of flattening them.
What are the rings made of?
Solid 925 sterling silver with a black ruthenium finish. No brass or base metal.
Which way should I wear a Claddagh ring?
By tradition, the heart pointing toward your fingertips means your heart is open, and pointing toward your wrist means it is taken. On the left hand facing inward it is worn as a wedding ring.
Can I wear the rings separately?
Yes. The engagement ring carries the hands, heart and crown on its own, and the band works alone as a small heart and crown ring.
Do the two rings sit flush?
Yes. The band is contoured to follow the top of the engagement ring, so the two close together without a gap.
How big is the center stone?
6 × 8 mm, pear cut, held between the two hands.
What sizes are available?
Sizes 4 through 11, including every half size. Both rings are made to the same size.
Can I have them engraved?
Yes. Engraving is available on the inner band, up to 16 characters, and can be added as an option at checkout.
Are the stones ethically sourced?
Yes. All Aquamarise stones are conflict-free and responsibly sourced, and every order arrives in a free luxury velvet jewelry box.