Ring in the New Year
Cocktails, anyone? No, I’m not referring to a martini, margarita, or other happy-hour beverage of your choosing, but to the more delicious—well, longer lasting, at least—cocktail ring.
Featuring a single large stone, whether it be a ginormous genuine diamond (a la Victoria Beckham), a semi-precious gem, or a clearly costume stone, a cocktail ring is a packs-a-punch accessory that adds a touch—or, more often, a hefty dose—of glam to an outfit.
These big-bauble rings first became popular during the prohibition era, when women would wear them to illegally held cocktail parties, flaunting the fact that not only were they going to consume alcohol when they weren’t supposed to, they were going to be supremely stylish while doing it. How’s that for in-your-face glamour?
These days, cocktail rings aren’t exclusively for the well-to-do. Part of the fun of these finger jewels is that they’re meant to be flashy, colorful, notice-me pieces, so nobody really cares if the stone is real or not. In fact, people probably expect them not to be! (Unless, of course, you’re a celebrity walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes, Oscars, or Grammys. But even then, those jewels are on loan and being trailed by big, burly security guards whose one job is to make sure they make it back to the jeweler who leant them out when the clock strikes midnight.) Bottom line, don’t be afraid to pick something that is really looks over-the-top.
If you do decide to splurge on a semi-precious or precious stone ring, cocktail styles give you a big bang for your buck. Being such head-turners, they’re often best showcased when worn solo, as pairing it with a necklace, bracelet, or earrings can add too much bling and detract from your overall look. With the current state of the economy leaving most of us with a dwindling accessories budget, a cocktail ring is an easy way to make a style statement without spending a fortune.
While they’re typically designed to be worn after the sun goes down, not all cocktail rings are made for black-tie and cocktail occasions. Dov Padeh’s teardrop-shaped chalcedony ring and S.H. Silver’s 19-carat fire opal ring dress up jeans and a t-shirt without going too formal, thanks to their boho-ish feel. With its casual vibe, Manak Couture’s coral cabochon ring also works for daytime. For nighttime festivities, Ginger Peachy Designs’ rose quartz ring cranks up the wattage of a little black dress.
Dressy or casual, round or square, real or costume, there are more cocktail ring options than there are drinks on a bartender’s menu. And as is often the case at your favorite bar, the hardest part is deciding which cocktail to choose.
Tags: accessories budget, bauble, bling, bracelet, chalcedony ring, cocktail ring, Coral Cabochon ring, Dov Padeh, earrings, fire opal, genuine diamond, Ginger Peachy Designs, Golden Globes, Grammys, jewels, linkedin, little black dress, Manak Couture, necklace, Oscars, rose quartz, S. H. Sivler, semi-precious gem, Victoria Beckham