Masquerade Ring
Vintage 1960s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modernist Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Wrist Watches
Crystal, Stainless Steel, Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Novelty Bags
20th Century Brazilian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Danish Modernist Link Bracelets
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modernist More Rings
Rhodocrosite, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century English Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Danish Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Signet Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Cocktail Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Antique 1680s Italian Romantic Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
French Signet Rings
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Opal, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Opal, Quartz, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Opal, Quartz, Topaz, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Garnet, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Opal, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Opal, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Opal, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right cocktail-rings for You
A flashy symbol of wealth during the early 20th century, antique and vintage cocktail rings have gained broader appeal in the decades since for the hefty dose of glamour they bring to any ensemble.
Cocktail rings earned their name for their frequent appearances during glitzy cocktail parties at the height of the Prohibition era. Back then, these accessories were seen not only as statement pieces but as statements in and of themselves. They openly represented a sense of freedom and independence as well as a demonstration of opulence. After all, the 1920s heralded the Harlem Renaissance and Art Deco design, and a slew of social and cultural shifts meant that women in particular were breaking from pre–World War I conventions and embracing newfound freedoms to express themselves as individuals.
Women expressly wore cocktail rings on the fingers of their right hand versus the left, which was “reserved” for an engagement ring or wedding band, accessories definitely paid for by a suitor. And for cocktail rings, the bigger the colored gem at the center — which is usually mounted in a high setting — and the more elaborate the design, the stronger the likelihood of being noticed.
Cocktail rings remained a popular piece of jewelry for women until the 1930s, when the Great Depression and the onset of war marked a change in behaviors nationwide. While the 1960s and ’70s saw a return in visibility for the accessory, it wasn’t until the 1980s that cocktail rings once again assumed their position as a beacon of luxury and glitz.
During the 20th century, the range of dazzling cocktail rings seems to have been limitless, from glimmering gold rings set with carved jade diamonds designed by David Webb to Pomellato’s pink quartz confections to striking Gucci butterfly rings with accent diamonds set in a pavé fashion.
So, how do you wear a cocktail ring? Cocktail rings “can be worn for almost anything — dinners, date nights, parties, special events, on the red carpet,” explains David Joseph of New York-based jewelry brand Bochic.
Can you wear cocktail rings with other rings? “In my opinion, cocktail rings should stand on their own since they showcase a large gem in the center,” says Joseph.
These glamorous jewels can be worn inside or outside crowded taverns, in either daytime or nighttime with casual or dressy attire. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique and vintage cocktail rings, including those offered by Chanel, whose elegant cocktail rings often feature pearls and, of course, diamonds, and sometimes were styled after showy flowers like the camellia, and Van Cleef & Arpels, whose detailed and intricate designs are viewed as miniature pieces of wearable art.
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