The trend for cocktail rings began in the ‘Roaring Twenties’ – the Art Deco Era, famed for its escapist excesses and artistic opulence. It was during prohibition and the wearing of an ostentatious cocktail ring was meant to signify that the wearer frequented illegal but stylish cocktail parties and drank illicit alcohol. These rings were worn on the right hand to differentiate them from engagement rings, which were usually rather more restrained pieces of jewelery, worn on the left ring finger.
The popularity of cocktail rings was revived in the Retro Era of 1935-50 with the rise of pop art, reminiscent of the bold, geometric designs of earlier Art Deco. Both these periods were associated with exaggeration and excess. As this was also war time, women had to take on men’s roles and began to look and act less feminine. Precious metals, gems and pearls were all in short supply and if women were to recreate the Hollywood glamour being depicted in the movies, newer jewellery styles had to be created, hence the revival of the costume type ring using semi-precious and synthetic stones. The enduring popularity of them has certainly been fuelled by the Hollywood glitterati during the Hollywood awards season.
There are many different kinds of cocktail rings for the chic woman from diamond to semi-precious gemstones, chosen perhaps to signify one’s birthstone and these are sometimes even used as engagement rings. Whilst once upon a time, diamonds were the only stone of choice in engagement rings, trends are now changing. A cocktail engagement ring can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand in price. All diamonds should ideally be set in 18K gold or platinum, but less precious stones are usually found 10 or 14 K and this reduces the cost. One of the sweetest diamond engagement cocktail rings I have seen this year is a 1.5 carat diamond cluster with a bow surround set in 14 K white gold. Available from Universal Diamonds at $1.5K it is a little hefty, but for an engagement ring is divine. However, rest assured that lovely diamond cocktail rings can be had for a mere fraction of that price!
You can only really look chic in a gold cocktail ring, with or without diamonds, if you make sure your hands are well groomed and your nails properly manicured. If you are wearing celebrity style bling, give your hands a celebrity style pampering. Just think about the field day the paparazzi would have if Angelina or Jennifer were seen sporting a million dollar rock against a background of chipped nails.
You also need to think about the statement the rest of your jewellery makes. Keeping the rest of the bling relatively understated will show off your cocktail ring to its best advantage. A neat choker or necklace and a pair of crystal drop earrings, which need not break the bank, will give a polished finish, and never look out of place.
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Nail Art By Kit 