Antique & Vintage Cocktail Rings

Dramatic, daring and designed to dazzle — cocktail rings are the ultimate statement jewels. Emerging in the exuberant 1920s and flourishing through the mid-century decades, these bold creations were made to catch the light (and the eye) at every soirée.

Our collection of antique and vintage cocktail rings spans the Art Deco to Retro eras, featuring large sapphires, aquamarines, citrines, amethysts, and old-cut diamonds in sculptural settings of gold and platinum. Each ring is a miniature masterpiece — a celebration of craftsmanship, colour and confidence.

Every piece is personally curated by gemmologist Zuleika Gerrish FGA DGA for its design integrity and condition, then presented in our signature Parkin & Gerrish pink-and-green box. Whether you’re marking a milestone, dressing for evening, or simply indulging your love of statement jewels, an antique cocktail ring promises individuality and timeless glamour.

🥂 Why They’re Called Cocktail Rings

The term “cocktail ring” emerged in the 1920s, during America’s Prohibition era — a time when the sale of alcohol was banned, but underground cocktail parties flourished in secret. At these lively gatherings, women began asserting new social freedoms — smoking, dancing, and most daringly, drinking cocktails in public.

To draw attention to the hand holding the illicit drink, they wore bold, oversized rings sparkling with coloured gemstones and diamonds. These eye-catching jewels became known as “cocktail rings” — symbols of independence, confidence and celebration.

While the style began in the Art Deco period, with its geometric glamour, it evolved through the 1940s–1950s Retro era, when designs grew even larger and more sculptural. Today, antique and vintage cocktail rings remain expressions of individuality and joie de vivre — jewels that tell a story of rebellion, style and self-assurance.