The rings that marked female empowerment.
Their fascinating story begins alongside the 18th Amendment on January 29, 1919 that banned the production and sale of alcohol, and then America learns that forbidding people to do something makes them want to do it even more!
The 1920s marked the dawn of Prohibition, a decade built on excess, alcohol smuggling and social change.
The term cocktail became a household word since illegal production produced strong, low-quality alcohol which, in order to be pleasantly consumed, had to be mixed with other ingredients, which were served in speakeasies, which were illegal bars whose owners asked customers to whisper when they wanted alcohol ("Speak Easy").
The 1920s was also a time of great social change, especially for women fighting for freedom, equality and the right to vote.
Female independence in the 1920s begins to be expressed through their economic independence, (working, running businesses and having their own income), driving cars, using contraception, smoking in public, listening to jazz and of course drinking cocktails! The typical Flappers, a subculture of young women are deeply influenced by fashion, they cut their hair short, wear short skirts and heavy makeup, throw away their corsets and anything that oppresses them and wear jewelry they have bought themselves.
Many rows of pearls on the hands and neck, large Art Deco earrings, tiaras and of course the large Cocktail rings even adorned all the fingers of the right hand, which was a clear sign that she was an independent woman who bought the ring or rings with her own money, unlike the left hand which was reserved for engagement and wedding rings.
An essential additional accessory, a cocktail glass! And that's how Cocktail Rings, the most famous statement rings, got their name.
In the 1920s, the most valuable cocktail rings had bold designs with large diamonds and other gemstones, such as emeralds, sapphires and rubies in gold or platinum, and were often surrounded by smaller diamonds to enhance the sparkle. Cocktail rings became a symbol of wealth, status and emancipation.
From then until today, 100 years later, cocktail rings remain a timeless jewel for women, always fitting in at cocktail parties, restaurants and operas. In fact, the bigger and showier, the better when it comes to Cocktail Rings.
