What is a Cocktail Ring?
The cocktail ring is meant to be a dramatic large ring, worn at cocktail parties. The cocktail ring was especially popular to wear during US prohibition at illegal cocktail parties. Such a ring flaunted not only the fact that one was drinking illegally, but also that one was doing it with style.
Popularity of the cocktail ring gained in the 1940s and 1950s, as cocktail parties continued to be popular events. Although cocktail parties are less common now, wearing a cocktail ring with huge diamonds or other large precious or semi-precious gems is still popular for formal dressy occasions, and especially for events like premieres of films, Broadway theater productions, or award shows like the Oscars or Emmys.
While the trend in earlier rings was to use precious stones, particularly diamonds, the cocktail ring today may be made with faux stones. The difficulty and expense of obtaining large precious stones often makes the cocktail ring with real stones prohibitively expensive. Costume jewelry stores stock reproductions of rings worn by the glitterati, and a good costume cocktail ring is perfectly acceptable for anything but the fanciest events.
As well, costume jewelry, since it is costs significantly less, is less likely to be stolen. If lost, it can be replaced without causing significant harm to one’s pocketbook. Some reproductions are so well done that only the practiced eye can spot a fake stone. The least expensive will probably be easily spotted as a fake. Some of the more expensive reproductions, ranging in price from 200-500 US dollars (USD), use real gold on the cocktail ring, rather than gold fill. Cocktail rings with real jewels may be as expensive as 10,000 to over 100,000 USD depending upon the stones chosen, their size and quality. Stones worn at red carpet events by well-known stars can cost millions of dollars.
Even in the heyday of the cocktail ring, not all could afford to purchase huge diamonds. Other stones like amethysts, garnets, peridot, and blue topaz became popular substitutions since they were of far less expense. Today this trend continues, with many a cocktail ring having a large central stone of a less expensive gem. The larger the stone, the more easily one can spot flaws. It may be possible however to order a setting, and then purchase a loose stone of the quality and size one wants.
If one is purchasing a loose stone for a cocktail ring, one should consider a stone of at least three carats, and preferably five or more carats. The general rule is that the bigger the stone, the better. The cocktail ring is supposed to catch and dazzle the eye. It is also supposed to be opulent and overdone.
The cocktail ring may be worn on any but the ring finger of the left hand, which represents that one is married or engaged. The right hand ring finger is often chosen, though the ring may also be worn on the index finger. With vintage jewelry being in so much demand right now, one might consider shopping estate sales and auctions to find the perfect cocktail ring. Anything from the art deco period, even with rhinestones, is considered highly desirable. Some jewelers offer online auctions as well, but one should be certain that the claims about the cocktail ring are genuine prior to participating in an online auction.
Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
