Celtic Design and Celtic Art are terms that are broadly applied to crafts and artwork that have interwoven and interlocking patterns, similar to the patterns found in traditional Celtic art. Celtic art spans many periods of human history and includes variations in design and purpose, depending on the European region and the cultural background of the people that created the artwork.

There are seven fundamental Chakras in a person's body. These Chakras represent energy centers that, when properly aligned, balance the person's spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health. The Chakras start at the base of the spine and extend to the top of the head. Each Chakra has an associated color and gemstone, and each color has its own range of frequencies, and corresponding wavelengths. Crystals and stones that share the Chakra colors and frequencies are used for healing. Although there are many crystals and stones that are used in Chakra healing—each thought to have an influence on the balance and alignment of different Chakras in the body—only a couple of these gemstones are listed with each Chakra color below.

      

A brass alloy (85% copper, 15% zinc) that mimics the look of gold and is often referred to as Merlin's Gold. Nu Gold is slower to tarnish than pure copper.

Non-Tarnishing Silver wire. NTS wire is generally made of high-grade copper wire with a silver alloy plating to give the wire its silver appearance. NTS wire has a baked-on clear finish that resists tarnishing.

Patina refers to the natural changes in the appearance of a material as the result of chemical or oxidative reactions (patination). The application of certain chemicals to copper wire, or other forms of copper used in jewelry, is one of the methods used to create unique colors and give jewelry a distressed or antique appearance. Patinated jewelry is jewelry that has been deliberately subjected to certain chemicals to cause changes in appearance.

In the example below, a 7/8" copper disc has been texturized and then treated with a diluted sulfate solution to develop the patina finish. The patinated copper disc is then used as a background for a 1/2" silver plated cross.

This term refers to the crystal elements of our jewelry, such as beads, that have been manufactured using the cutting, grinding, and treatment processes that were patented by Daniel Swarovski in the late 19th century. When beads are used to create a jewelry item, the item description generally indicates whether the beads are glass, crystal, or Swarovski crystal. There are many easy-to-find Web sites that will provide information about the significance of various colors and the potential healing power of crystals.

The geometrically shaped planes on a bead or gemstone are referred to as facets. When a bead or gemstone is described as "faceted," the facets are generally flat, with distinct lines and angles between adjoining facets.

Show me a Faceted Bead

When a bead or gemstone is described as "smooth faceted," the facets have rounded, convex surfaces with smooth transitions between adjoining facets.

Show me a Smooth-Faceted Bead

Some cultures believe that the spiral symbolizes the continuity of life and spiritual growth. Spiral shapes, as well as overlapping and interwoven knot-patterns, are very common in Celtic motifs.