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