Cocktail Rings
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Cocktail Rings
Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s American Edwardian Vintage Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, White Gold
1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold
Early 2000s European Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Peridot, Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold
1940s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Early 2000s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, Silver
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Hematite, 18k Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Spinel, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Peridot, Yellow Gold
1940s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Portuguese Egyptian Revival Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Danish Modern Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Gold
Early 2000s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1940s French Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Zircon, Platinum
1940s Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Australian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1940s French Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s French Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Mixed Metal
1940s American Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Early 2000s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
1940s British Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 15k Gold
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold
1940s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Garnet, Blue Topaz, Yellow Gold
1940s German Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Irish Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
1940s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Diamond and Sapphire Cocktail Rings and Other Antique and Vintage Cocktail Rings
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.