The colorful elegance of “cocktail rings”

Cocktail rings are distinctive for their impressive size and their large, often vibrantly colored center stone, underscored by a voluminous structure. These pieces, which originally appeared in the 1920s, take their name from cocktail parties and gala dinners, where they sparkled on the fingers of high-society women. Eye-catching and designed to reflect light, they transformed the act of holding a glass into a demonstration of elegance.

During the 1960s, the cocktail ring became an indispensable accessory for stylish attendees at prestigious social events. With their interplay of materials and their bold designs, these rings exemplified the aesthetic spirit of the age.

    Drawing featuring a Cocktail ring, circa 1969, Van Cleef & Arpels Archives, Van Cleef & Arpels.

    Drawing featuring a Cocktail ring, circa 1969