Discover the Prohibition-Era Roots of the Cocktail Ring

The Editors
·2 min read
Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Wendy Yue Rhodolite garnet ring, Jacquie Aiche Tourmaline ring, Pomellato Pattern Hypnosis Rapsody ring, Arman Sarkisyan Rubellite ring, and Valani Atelier Anna emerald ring. Lela Rose dress, Marlo Laz earrings.
Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Wendy Yue Rhodolite garnet ring, Jacquie Aiche Tourmaline ring, Pomellato Pattern Hypnosis Rapsody ring, Arman Sarkisyan Rubellite ring, and Valani Atelier Anna emerald ring. Lela Rose dress, Marlo Laz earrings.

From Veranda

There’s putting a ring on it, and then there’s putting a ring on it. Such has been the intoxication of the cocktail ring, that outsize piece of decorative bravado that sits (generally) on the right hand and says to the world, “Regard my elan, my assurance, and my ability to balance this coupe brimming with bubbly.”

Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; On model at left: Tiffany & Co. Stitches ring, Tamara Comolli Lily ring, Oscar Heyman Spinel ring, Irene Neuwirth Watermelon tourmaline ring, Etho Maria Akron ring, and Marlo Laz Gypsy ring. Sachin & Babi gown, de Grisogono earrings. On model at right: Single Stone Cobblestone ring, De Beers Jewellers Aura solitaire ring, Vram sapphire ring, David Yurman Gems chain ring, and Sanjay Kasliwal diamond ring. Marchesa Notte dress, David Webb earrings, Vahan Jewelry cuffs.

The origin of the attention-drawing accessory is often ascribed to the set-free aesthetic of the Jazz Age of the 1920s. During that time, women traded corsets and long dresses for shorter hemlines, trousers, bobbed hairstyles, and makeup.

Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Single Stone Cobblestone ring, De Beers Jewellers Aura solitaire ring, Vram sapphire ring, David Yurman Gems chain ring, and Sanjay Kasliwal diamond ring. Marchesa Notte dress, David Webb earrings, Vahan Jewelry cuffs.
Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Single Stone Cobblestone ring, De Beers Jewellers Aura solitaire ring, Vram sapphire ring, David Yurman Gems chain ring, and Sanjay Kasliwal diamond ring. Marchesa Notte dress, David Webb earrings, Vahan Jewelry cuffs.

With their "flapper" fashion, these women flaunted not only their figures but also their participation in the speakeasy culture, wearing large rings on their right hands as symbols of their freedom—and as not-so-subtle nods to the cocktail glasses those hands held.

Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Tiffany & Co. Stitches ring, Tamara Comolli Lily solitaire ring, Oscar Heyman Spinel ring, Irene Neuwirth Watermelon tourmaline ring, Etho Maria Akron ring, and Marlo Laz Gypsy ring. Sachin & Babi gown, de Grisogono earrings.
Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Tiffany & Co. Stitches ring, Tamara Comolli Lily solitaire ring, Oscar Heyman Spinel ring, Irene Neuwirth Watermelon tourmaline ring, Etho Maria Akron ring, and Marlo Laz Gypsy ring. Sachin & Babi gown, de Grisogono earrings.

But the rings saw their real boom in the years following World War II, when women seized upon economic independence, inspiration from film stars, and America’s love affair with cocktail culture to buy their own oversize (often costume) pieces.

Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; On model at left: Picchiotti sapphire and ruby ring, Cartier Paris Nouvelle Vague ring, Oscar Heyman Ruby Entourage ring, Buccellati Helidor and sapphire ring, and Chopard Magical Setting ring. Andres OTÁLORA dress, Harry Winston earrings, Roberto Coin necklace. On model at right: de Grisogono tourmaline and emerald ring, Piaget Limelight Secrets & Lights ring, Sylva & Cie Brazilian emerald ring, Sabbadini Amethyst and sapphire cocktail ring, and Cartier Galanterie de Cartier ring. Alexis Mabille dress, Harry Winston earrings, Dior timepiece.

While they fell briefly from favor in the 1960s and ‘70s, a return to maximalism and flamboyance in subsequent decades has kept big rings at the center of the party, with today's stylish set unapologetically eager to don a cocktail ring on every finger.

Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Marco Bicego Jaipur color ring, Andreoli Ceylon sapphire ring, De Beers Jewellers Aella ring, Goshwara Rock 'N' Roll ring, Mish Fine Jewelry Aquamarine cocktail ring, and Picchiotti Oval Yellow diamond ring. Nili Lotan top, Danielle D. Rollins skirt, De Beers Jewellers bracelet.
Photo credit: CHRISTIAN FERRETTI; From left: Marco Bicego Jaipur color ring, Andreoli Ceylon sapphire ring, De Beers Jewellers Aella ring, Goshwara Rock 'N' Roll ring, Mish Fine Jewelry Aquamarine cocktail ring, and Picchiotti Oval Yellow diamond ring. Nili Lotan top, Danielle D. Rollins skirt, De Beers Jewellers bracelet.

Even the royals want in on the speakeasy: HRH Prince Harry offered his mother’s aquamarine cocktail ring to Meghan Markle on their wedding day. We'll happily raise a glass to that!

Featured in our November/December 2019 issue. Photography by Christian Ferretti; Produced by Rachael Burrow; Floral styling by Mimosa Floral Design; Cocktail styling by Maggie Ruggiero/Hello Artists; Makeup styling by Markphong Tram/ABTP; Makeup by Dr. Jart and Smashbox; Hair styling by Luca Blandi/ABTP.

Female Models: Tereza Bouchalova and Jessica Barta Lam/Women 360 Management.
Male Model: James Mannix.

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