How Do I Choose A Cocktail Ring?

How do I choose a cocktail ring? I get this question all the time and I can tell you from one jewelry lover to another, it’s not always easy. I mean, there are so many styles and kinds of cocktail rings in so many mediums that the task can be quite daunting. So I will attempt to steer you to choosing the perfect ring for any occasion.

The first thing to consider, and by far the most important, is your own personal style. Are you a traditionalist who wears suits to work and crisp woolen slacks with a cashmere sweater in your leisure time? Or are you a bohemian sort of gal who never wears matching anything and loves to mix colors and textures? Then there’s the modern woman who likes to dress up for special occasions but otherwise prefers sweats or jeans. And lastly there’s the woman who loves to dress up, even for such mundane tasks as grocery shopping or checking out an audio book at the library.

There is a cocktail ring for each type of woman, except those who simply don’t like wearing jewelry, in which case they won’t need this advice. I do feel sorry for these women, however, because they are depriving themselves of such fun! I mean, what is more fun than poring over a large selection of bright, beautiful rings in a variety of mediums? Nothing comes close in my opinion.

Now, as to what kinds of cocktail rings are out there; the selection is as varied as are we women. There are the “traditional” rings in precious metals, such as silver, gold and platinum but the assortment doesn’t stop there. Some modern cocktail rings are made with rhodium plating and others are even made of Lucite! While this may be shocking to more traditional women, these rings do have their advantages, one being that the cost is much lower than for the precious metal rings. Another advantage is that this allows for more creativity in the design.

The next item to factor in is whether you want a single large-gemstone ring or a dazzling collection of smaller stones, known as pave, or both. Just the other day I picked up a black, Lucite cocktail ring with black pave cubic zirconia. It is stunning! The most popular stones are diamonds, of course, but due to the high cost, these can be prohibitive. My mother had a large {we’re talking one inch length) smoky topaz set in gold and another gold cocktail ring with a one inch long amethyst. Both were good alternatives to a diamond.

If however, you love the diamond look but can’t afford those expensive baubles or just want to avoid earth-mined types, there are substitutes worth exploring. Artificial diamonds can be made in two types. The first is the synthetic diamond which possesses the same chemical composition and structure as a real diamond. The second is the simulated diamond which appears diamond-like and does possess some of the characteristics of a real diamond, such as hardness and refractive capabilities. It’s the refractive capabilities which make a diamond sparkle as it does. The first synthetic diamond was created by Dr. Henri Moissan in the year 1893, and was named moissanite, after its’ creator. The most widely known synthetic diamond, the cubic zirconia was made by Russian scientists in the 1970s. Since then, there have been many advancements in lab created diamonds and precious stones. You just need to decide which kind you want.

One of my favorite types of cocktail rings is the new enameled version. Its’ bright colors and shiny surface appeal to many women, especially since they come in so many whimsical shapes! If, for example, you love butterflies, there are several cocktail rings with butterflies on the face. They also can sport bold geometric patterns for the truly modern look! And if you love the Gothic style, there are plenty of rings which you will enjoy.