Cocktail Rings
Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold
1960s Mexican Artisan Vintage Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, Silver
Late 20th Century German Modernist Cocktail Rings
Fire Opal, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1970s Turkish Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
1980s Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Greek Vintage Cocktail Rings
Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Fire Opal, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brazilian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s Colombian Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
1950s Italian Artist Vintage Cocktail Rings
Coral, Emerald, 18k Gold
1990s German Modern Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Turkish Late Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 10k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
1970s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
1960s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Turkish Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
1960s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 1900s European Late Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, Silver
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Cocktail Rings
Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
1920s Unknown Art Nouveau Vintage Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Rock Crystal, Pearl, Diamond, Crystal, Enamel, Platinum, White Gold, 18k...
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Asian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Thai Contemporary Vintage Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, 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.