Cocktail Rings
1880s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Iolite, Yellow Gold
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
1880s American Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
1820s Unknown Georgian Antique Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Topaz, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s African Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1890s English Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
1990s Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
19th Century Georgian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
19th Century European Georgian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 14k Gold, Silver
19th Century Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Peridot, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Antique Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold
1890s Art Nouveau Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Austrian Artisan Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Antique Cocktail Rings
Jade
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.