Cocktail Rings
1850s English Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 2000s French Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
1860s Unknown Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1840s Unknown Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s German Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Beryl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Edwardian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold
1880s Unknown Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 2000s American Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
19th Century Antique Cocktail Rings
Coral, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 2000s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Onyx, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Chrysophrase, Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s Italian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Chalcedony, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s German Artisan Cocktail Rings
Jade, Silver
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Rose Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1820s Georgian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s North American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Iolite, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
1890s Edwardian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Cocktail Rings
Opal, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold, 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.