Cocktail Rings
1990s Egyptian Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s German Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Silver
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1970s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century North American Retro Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Morganite, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Art Nouveau Vintage Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
1970s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Platinum
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Coral, Amethyst, Silver, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Silver
2010s Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Silver, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
Agate, Turquoise, Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Silver, Rose ...
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Topaz, Tsavorite, 14k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Coral, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Aquamarine, Rose Gold, 9k Gold, Silver
1940s Spanish Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, Coral, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Asian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond
1960s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Coral, Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1980s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold
20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k 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.