St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17, so we thought it’d be fun to share five facts about this holiday that you might not know. Jewelry stores, like Cornelis Hollander, have an extensive selection of vibrant green gemstone jewelry to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style this year.

Fact #1:

Did you know the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, wasn’t technically even Irish? Saint Patrick was born as Maewyn Succat in Wales around AD 390. The reason why we associate Saint Patrick with Ireland is that he was held captive there for six years. Once Patrick escaped, he became a Christian missionary.

Fact #2:

We all know that green is the color of St. Patrick’s Day, right? Well, St. Patrick’s actual color is officially light blue, which is very similar to the aquamarine gemstones found in jewelry stores. Green became the popular choice for this holiday in response to the 18th-century Irish Independence Movement.

Fact #3:

True or False? The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in Ireland. If you answered false, you’re right! The first official St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston in 1737. The tradition of holding annual parades on St. Patty’s Day didn’t reach Ireland until the 20^th-century in 1903.

Fact #4:

St. Patrick’s Day is known to be an enjoyable holiday, but that wasn’t always the focus. It was initially intended to be an exclusive religious holiday in Ireland celebrated March 17 of each year. Today celebrations are fueled by corned beef, cabbage, and lively fun. Guinness claims that the consumption of their brand doubles on Saint Patrick’s Day, alone, causing a massive surge in their sales.

Fact #5:

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in different countries, but did you know it’s even celebrated in space. In 2011, astronauts from the International Space Station wanted to honor this popular holiday, so they played instruments belonging to the Irish group, The Chieftains, like tin whistles and flutes.

Let the Luck of the Irish Be with You

Cornelis Hollander has been in the business of making memories for more than 30 years. Our award-winning designer jewelry is flawlessly engineered with bold, beautiful, and sharp lines that either you or the lucky recipient is sure to treasure forever. All designs are crafted in our custom jewelry stores located in Scottsdale. #shoplocal!

Cornelis Hollander is proud to offer unique engagement ring designs, using your choice of center and accent stones. Often, customers bring their exceptional gemstones or heirloom jewelry in, requesting a more modern designer look. We are happy to consult with our clients to create their dream piece in our Old Town Scottsdale jewelry store.

Create something uniquely special by scheduling an appointment to speak with a Cornelis Hollander Jeweler Designer at (480) 423-5000 or sales@cornelishollander.com. You can also visit us Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm and on Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. We are closed on Sundays.

4151 N. Marshall Way

Scottsdale, AZ 85251