Cocktail Rings
1990s German Modern Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Coral, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
1990s Brazilian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold
1990s Modern Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1990s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Turkish Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1990s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Kunzite, Tsavorite, White Gold
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1990s Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Australian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Early 2000s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Garnet, Blue Topaz, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Irish Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s African Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Hong Kong Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, Citrine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Irish Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Other, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Yellow Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Alexandrite, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Platinum
1990s Italian Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
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.