The history of the claddagh ring dates back to the early 16th century, and to the village of claddagh. Legend tells us that pirates captured a village fishing boat and the crew was taken as slaves. One of the crew, a man named Richard Joyce was to have been married the same week of the capture. As the years went by neither married, Richard Joyce was put to work at the trade of goldsmithing, never forgetting his girl back home. He made a ring of gold for her, with a heart for love, a crown for loyalty, and two hands for friendship. Eventually, after eight years he escaped his captors and returned to his village, and to his great joy he found she had never given up hope of seeing him again. He gave her the ring he had made for her. They married, never to be separated again. Worn on the right hand, crown turned inwards, your heart is yet unoccupied. Worn on the right hand, crown turned outwards shows a special commitment to someone. Worn of the left hand, crown outwards - let our love and friendship reign forever, never to be separated.