STERLING SILVER CROSS
JEWELRY
The Christian Cross symbolizes Christianity.
The Christian Cross also has other types of symbols closely found on the Christian Cross:
Three Pronged End Cap
The Trefoil, Budded or Fleur de Lis End Cap. They are consist of some form of
three prongs. This symbol of three represents the Holy Trinity or Godhead.
The Bud also represents buds of a flower where there is no guarantee the the buds will bloom but we have faith that they will. The faith is rewarded with a beautiful flower.
IC XC
The letters IC XC found at the end of the main arm of most Eastern Orthodox
Crosses represent the name of Jesus Christ in Greek.
Many Crosses are a combination of the traditional meaning of the Cross with various cultural influences. A good example of this is the Celtic Cross. The Celtic Cross is essentially a circle at the intersection of the two straight lines.
The very early Christian movement used the Greek and Latin crosses. The Greek cross is two intersecting lines of equal length. The Latin cross consists of two intersecting lines where the vertical line is longer than the horizontal line.
Most cross designs are spin off's from these two styles. As the development of Christian Churches grew they added their own styles and embellishments to represent the differences in their Christian faith.
Some cross styles reflect the development of their artistic evolution. Some cross patterns were modified through the field of heraldry.
All of this history is important to understand in relationship to jewelry because cultures and Churches would make crosses for jewelry (primarily pendants for necklaces and rings) based on the style of Cross they were exposed to. As the evolution of different Christian faiths have grown so have the numerous styles of Crosses presently seen in jewelry.
Now days Cross jewelry has evolved beyond rings and necklaces to earrings, toe rings, charms, pins and brooches. While early on in the history of the Cross many churches had a specific style of cross as their iconic representation.
Now days, while their are still Church specific cross designs, the majority of Crosses are non denominational in style affording Christianity and almost endless array of Crosses to choose from as they demonstrate their devotion to their Christian faith.
Types of Sterling Silver Crosses
Cross Charms & Pendants and Their Symbolism
Christian Crosses
Types of Crosses and Their Meaning
Throughout history there have been hundred of crosses with a great deal
of history and symbolism behind each cross. Additionally these crosses
through the ages have had and continue to have a great deal of stylistic
element and artistry with each and every cross that was ever produced in the
past. The same holds true with all crosses produced in our day.
While this collection of information on Christian Crosses reflects a great deal of history from crosses of the past we also reflect on the stylistic and artistic elements of current crosses.
Understanding the meaning of some of the history of past crosses and their original use is interesting. It is also meaningful in understanding these elements so that you can recognize them in modern cross charms and cross pendants. It is interesting that while the Christian cross shares one ultimate element in common, the symbol of Christianity, almost every cross produced now and many from the past have other elements. These other elements that appear on historic cross designs and contemporary crosses stem from various Christian religions and cultural aspects of Christianity.
We show actual pictures of Christian crosses rather than drawings as we deal
primarily with the combination of elements that comprise modern cross
design.
Crosses throughout the ages have been made from just about any medium where a symbol could be fashioned. Gold and silver were likely the first two precious metals used in creating crosses. As silver was largely replaced by an alloy called sterling silver, a large portion of crosses created for jewelry use were fashioned in sterling silver. As a result artisans were able to get more creative. Thus adding many more artistic elements to the Christian symbol of the cross.
This is even more true in modern jewelry making. More cross pendants, cross charms, cross rings, cross necklaces, and cross earrings are made in sterling silver than any other medium including gold.
Artistic elements of crosses. One cross design can have elements of many historical types of crosses. Many different crosses are a part of Crusader crosses that were used to decorate Shields and many types of crosses were/are used in heraldry.
To
purchase any of these sterling silver Cross Charms or Pendants you can do so
on any of these pages:
Cross Charms |
Cross Pendants
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Celtic Cross Pendants & Charms |
Ankh
Cross Pendants and Charms
Or Click on the picture which will take you directly to the page where that
cross pendant or charm is for sale.
After understanding
more about the symbolism of the Cross Charms and Pendants you may be
interested in a much broader selection which can be found at:
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 This Cross Pendant has a Fleur de Lis end cap. |
 This Cross Pendant has a Fleur de Lis end cap.
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 This Cross Pendant has a Fleur de Lis end cap although not as pronounced as some of the other Budded crosses. |
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Orthodox Crosses The Orthodox Cross originates from Eastern Europe and Greece. There are a few styles of the orthodox cross. We only present one style. This style has a trefoil (meaning three) bud on the end caps of the cross. These trefoil buds are anciently derived from the lotus flower and/or the pomegranate bud probably using the same symbolism as the budded cross. The Lotus Flower is a symbol used in many religions. |
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Orthodox Cross
About the Orthodox Cross Lines: The letters IC XC found at the end of the main arm of most Eastern Orthodox Crosses represent the name of Jesus Christ in Greek. |
This Cross pendant is an excellent example of a cross that fits into more than one class of crosses. This style of the Disciples cross is also a form of the Orthodox cross. Additionally this Cross pendant has a filigree design filling in the body of the cross. This Eastern Orthodox Cross also lacks the lines and Greek letters. |
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Latin or Western Crosses Also known as the Chapel Cross or Church Cross. The Latin Cross is also referred to as the traditional Western Cross to differentiate it from the crosses popular in the East. Because many Christian Churches have a floor plan that resembles the Western or Latin Cross is has come to be known as the Chapel Cross or Church Cross. It is by design a simple cross. It is similar to the Greek cross except that the vertical bar is longer than the horizontal bar. With time, Artisans have added some decorative design to the Latin Cross. These types of crosses are often non denominational and very popular. |
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 Flared design based on the traditional Western or Latin Cross design. |
 Traditional style of a Church Cross |
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 Contemporary styled cross pendant with a Lotus bud in the center of the cross. Also has trefoil end caps.
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 The Filigree design has become very popular in creating contemporary cross pendants. |
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 Geometric Cross Cut Out. Looks like a Cross within a Cross. |
 Rope Cross Pendant A Contemporary cross design that depicts rope that lashes the wooden beams together. |
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 Modern styled cross pendant with a Lotus bud in the center of the cross. |
 Traditional Western or Church Cross Charm. |
 Contemporary styled cross pendant with a Lotus bud in the center of the cross. Also has trefoil end caps. |
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 Byzantine Cross Pendant This Byzantine style is reminiscent of 4th century Byzantine style of crosses. For many the Byzantine cross style is thought to be synonymous with the Orthodox cross. The two styles of crosses are related to each other with the Byzantine cross having a more distinctive, stylized art form. The Greece and Russian art-work are perhaps the best known styles for what is today call Byzantine. |
 Sterling Silver Baptismal Cross Pendant Has a Lotus bud in the center of the cross. |
 Sterling Silver Canterbury and/or Maltese Cross Pendant This sterling silver cross pendant has elements of the Canterbury and Maltese crosses. |
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Ornate and Decorative Contemporary Crosses While there are numerous styles of crosses representing various symbolisms for special purposes. The most popular types of crosses are the ornate and decorative crosses. Some artisans combine elements of various cross styles. Crosses have come to represent geographical and cultural styles like the Santa Fe and Southwestern styles to geometric shapes and filigree designs.
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 Sterling Silver Filigree Cross Pendant |
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 Sterling Silver Cross Pendant |
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Make your own cross necklace with any of these sterling silver crosses. Select your sterling silver Cross Pendants from this page and then select your sterling silver necklace chains.
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