Prohibition: doesn’t sound like it was a laugh, does it?
America’s banning of alcohol lasted for 13 long, fun-free years, from 1920 until 1933, passed into law to help the country clean up its act. But it wasn’t all bad: the famed era gave us a number of trends we still hold dear today.
One: cocktails, concoctions dreamed up to disguise illicit booze from the prying eyes of the law, not to mention make highly-questionable moonshine easier to swallow.
It also revolutionised fashion, freeing women from the stuffy Victorian clothing their mothers wore and into fun flapper styles, made for dancing at anti-Prohibition parties and speakeasies. And with these fresh looks, accessories were part of the parcel.
Which brings us to the cocktail ring, one of the best things to come out of American Prohibition - if you’re a jewellery magpie, anyway.
What is a cocktail ring?
They’re exaggerated versions of a regular ring, designed to be seen and admired. Some say they were originally worn to catch the attention of speakeasy bartenders so they knew who to serve next, while others believe freshly liberated women wore the oversized pieces in a display of confidence and self-sufficiency. Whatever the truth, there’s no denying: these decadent rocks were made to be the life and soul of the party.
That sense of playfulness has prevailed throughout the years, and cocktail rings are still one of the biggest trends in the jewellery sphere.
Luxury jeweller Annoushka Ducas agrees, telling us: “A cocktail ring is a piece that can elevate any outfit and lift your mood - plus rings are the only piece of jewellery you can truly admire yourself – so why not go big?
“As part of my new Flight collection, inspired by the Art Deco era, we will be launching three new cocktail rings – each has a juicy gemstone at its centre, but is set in an androgynous graphic setting. The balance means you can wear these rings with jeans and a shirt in the day, or with a gorgeous dress for the evening.”
Impressed by their versatility? Us too. We’ve rounded up the nicest rings on the block in a special jewellery edit below. From rings with vintage appeal to modern masterpieces to lock up in the family vault, here are the pieces you should be wearing for party season.
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Thomas Sabo Ring Colourful Stones
For those who love the idea of flashy colour but aren’t so wild about the price tag, head to Thomas Sabo where you can pick up this multi-coloured ring for a reasonable price. The colourful hand-cut stones are set on a gold-plated ring and finished with small celestial-shaped details, adding more magic to the look. It’s also available in green and pink colourways on gold or silver coloured bands.
Buy now £139.00, Thomas Sabo
Artisan 18K Yellow Gold White Diamond Green Tourmaline Cocktail Ring
Giving Versailles levels of extravagance, this green, gold and white diamond ring looks stunning, especially in candlelight - an ideal piece to wear for date night, then. A square green tourmaline sits in the centre surrounded by pear and round-cut diamonds.
Buy now £8951.00, Wolf & Badger
Dinny Hall Teresa 22ct Gold Vermeil Green Amethyst & Oro Verde Cocktail Ring, Gold
This tonal ring brings together a central green amethyst stone with two Oro Verde gems on a gold vermeil band. Elegant but not overbearing, the piece has a vintage aesthetic, giving it a classic quality that can be passed down through generations.
Buy now £475.00, John Lewis
Swarovski Harmonia Cocktail Ring
There’s no chance of missing Swarovski’s knuckle-spanning cocktail ring, available in gold and silver tones. The stone looks as though it’s floating, an illusion created by a crystal-cut on a prong setting. Let it shine best by wearing it alone.
Buy now £195.00, Swarovski
Dinny Hall Gold Plated Vermeil Silver Trinny Trilogy Blue Topaz Ring
Offering a modern take on a ring style that came into being a century ago, this emerald cut blue topaz is a piece we can’t stop staring at. The stone is framed by twin baguette-cut Swiss blue topaz stones to form a trilogy arrangement that will look best paired with nothing but a classic martini.
Buy now £895.00, Liberty London
Kate Spade pavé present cocktail ring
Whether a gift to someone special or a well-deserved present for yourself, Kate Spade’s knuckle-duster is the treasure your jewellery box has been missing. The faceted stone is finished with a perfectly-tied golden bow, studded with white crystals for extra sparkle.
Buy now £160.00, Kate Spade
Orelia Statement Scattered Pearl Domed Ring
When in doubt, one simply can’t go wrong with pearls. The elegant white faux versions are placed on this chunky domed ring upon star-shaped etchings to give them extra oomph. It’s a piece that’s nice enough to wear all day long and lends itself well to stacking with other pieces already in your jewellery collection.
Buy now £28.00, Orelia
Annoushka Aria 18ct Yellow Gold Andalusite & Diamond Ring
Loved by style icons like Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Kate Middleton, owning a piece of Annoushka’s fine jewellery is the ultimate goal for accessory magpies. The collection spans everything from charm bracelets to gobstopper-sized diamond rings using materials of the highest quality. Take this 18ct gold ring, which is actually three rings in one.
It showcases a green andalusite stone at its centre. Inspired by the geometry of Art Deco design, it’s framed with brilliant white baguette diamonds, a look repeated on the two outer bands, or jackets. The set of three means you can mix or match to create different looks depending on your mood and the occasion.
Buy now £15500.00, Annoushka
Shyla Gold-Plated Lenny Glass Stone Cocktail Ring
Crafted by London-based ethical jeweller Shyla, this block-shaped cocktail ring is the perfect addition for the maximalist with a diary full of social engagements. Positioned on 22ct gold-plated sterling silver and set on a bezel setting, it can be worn solo or with other pieces to go pleasingly OTT.
Buy now £60.00, Liberty London
Yaa Yaa London Coral Violet Adjustable Gemstone Gold ‘So Solar’ Ring
Cocktail rings rock, and this design proves it better than most with two quartz stones to gaze at. Set on gold-coloured brass, the ring is designed to sit between the fingers, spreading the look across the back of the hand.
Buy now £45.00, Wolf & Badger
Neola Green Amethyst Gemstone Gold Vermeil Cocktail Ring Pietra
Made in small quantities to eliminate waste, this green amethyst stone sits on a chunky gold vermeil band, itself made with interwoven rings. The prong setting is raised, making it look even more prominent on the hand.
Buy now £175.00, Wolf & Badger
Orelia Kaleidoscope Disco Signet Ring
Not a huge ring in comparison to some of the humdingers on this list, but still a head-turner. Orelia’s disco ring makes every hour you’re wearing it a happy hour. Four multi-coloured stones sit on a chunky vintage-style band, each facet catching the light as your groove through your day.
Buy now £26.00, Orelia
Cartier Les Berlingots de Cartier 18ct rose-gold, pink chalcedony and garnet cocktail ring
An unusual design for a cocktail ring, this arrangement brings two garnets either side of a pink chalcedony stone. The ring is crafted from 18ct rose gold and was made in Switzerland.
There’s also a diamond and onyx version available for £4450.
Buy now £2730.00, Selfridges
Swarovski Hyperbola cocktail ring mixed cuts white rhodium plated
For the times you want your digits dripping in ice, get a diamond-like look for less from the House of Swarovski. It has this crystal encrusted ring amongst its ranks, made from a mix of step cut and brilliant cut clear stones and forming a statement 3D shape. Finger frosting on another scale.
Buy now £330.00, Harvey Nichols
