Care for a cocktail?
Ring, that is?
I find as women grow into their full characters (and sometimes fuller bodies), they can carry larger rings. You don't need to be statuesque, merely, as Oprah–no stranger to the jewelry department–once said, "able to inhabit your space in the world".
I find as women grow into their full characters (and sometimes fuller bodies), they can carry larger rings. You don't need to be statuesque, merely, as Oprah–no stranger to the jewelry department–once said, "able to inhabit your space in the world".
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| Carved lapis and enamel |
(Shown, Isharya "Jaisel" carved lapis ring with mirrored centre and enameled sides; price, $210 from net-a-porter.)
Many women avoid big rings thinking size is proportional to cost. I've selected choices below the stratospheric pricetags of haute joillerie–even some faux–because you don't want your cocktail ring to drive you to drink!
You don't need to wear a cocktail dress with your ring; each would look chic with your favourite black turtleneck and jeans.
Though all jewelry pleases if it's well chosen, a big ring delights you as well as your admirers. (With earrings, I can go for a day not even remembering what I have on.)
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| Glowing fire opal |
A big juicy Mexican fire opal in an 18k branch setting, by Annette Ferdinandsen. The opal flashes orange, pink and rust, and is 1 1/8 inches long. Fire opals are magnificent gems, and you get a lot of stone for your jewelry dollar. This one is $1,590 from Twist.
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| Organic malachite |
Malachite is another fabulous material for a cocktail ring; it has drama and intense colour; I admire the undulating curve of Kara Ross's malachite and 14k-plated piece. On sale for $210 at Netaporter.
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| Vintage sapphire and pearl |
Now here is a cocktail ring that says martini, with its mid-century vibe and sophisticated sapphire and pearl dome design. With 1.80 cts of sparkling sapphires and a 7mm pearl, a lot of ring-a-ding-ding, baby girl. Price, $695 from BeladoraII.
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| Faux coral and diamond |
The story goes that Lauren Bacall grabbed Liz Taylor's hand to admire her huge ring. "Richard Burton?" Bacall asked. "Ken Lane!" replied Taylor, and they both collapsed in laughter. You can wave your hand around in Kenneth Lane's faux coral and diamond ring, on sale at Netaporter for $50.
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| The precious version |
For your jewelry edification, here's the real deal, a ca. 1960 coral and diamond stunner by Van Cleef & Arpels; price, $16,000 from 1st Dibs seller erstwhile jewelry company.
Casual cocktails: Set in silver
Because cocktail rings set in silver are more casual, might we call them beer rings? They will take you from day into informal evening wear.
I'd wear this silver Cloud Princess pearl cocktail ring from Balinese designer Kadek Wijanegara, just $48 (plus shipping) from Novica. Very John Hardy at a much lower price.
Etsy seller figistanbul's Tamildu ring is a fantasy creation of enamel, jade and cz set in gold-washed bronze set on an ornate silver shank, drama galore for $99.
A big faceted aquamarine (13mm x 14.5mm) set in an 18k bezel on a silver band is a best-of-both worlds ring, simple yet substantial.
A good choice for the woman who, like many of my friends, favours simplicity but now wants pieces with more strength, less sweetness. Price, $205 from Etsy seller JanishJewels.
Go ahead, try some on!
A big ring puts pink in your cheeks, a sparkle in your eye. Whether you wear yours for cocktails or chicken wings, here's looking at you, kid!
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| Pearl and Balinese silver |
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| Sparkles and enamel |
Etsy seller figistanbul's Tamildu ring is a fantasy creation of enamel, jade and cz set in gold-washed bronze set on an ornate silver shank, drama galore for $99.
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A good choice for the woman who, like many of my friends, favours simplicity but now wants pieces with more strength, less sweetness. Price, $205 from Etsy seller JanishJewels.
Go ahead, try some on!
A big ring puts pink in your cheeks, a sparkle in your eye. Whether you wear yours for cocktails or chicken wings, here's looking at you, kid!
Comments
However, what you say makes sense. I'm not a beer drinker anymore, but I can relate to "beer rings" ;) Perhaps having a Starbucks in a black turtleneck with that silver Cloud Princess pearl ring on my hand is in my future!
I like the silver ring too, Northroom. Wine rings - and espresso rings - refer more to marks left on tabletops. No Starbucks for me - I live in my city's Little Italy (la Petite Italie) so I can get far better coffee cheaper and with less hype.
In any case, better cocktail rings than carcinogenic nail treatments, such as UV nail dryers. I dislike health scares, but there is suprisingly little oversight of such cosmetic procedures, for clients and especially staff.
I don't currently have a big ring--but you have convinced me that I should definitely have one.
In addition to being of a certain age, I'm tall, have big hands--and would enjoy a big ring.
I'll be on the lookout.
Pretty selection though. I especially like the aquamarine
lagatta: I don't think finger length rules our all large rings (Elizabeth Taylor is petite and voluptuous, and does not have a long hand, for example.) The extremely oversized ring will not suit but a smaller version would.
I recently met my 5', chubby (her description of herself) Egyptian friend Anita for coffee. A. has short fingers, legs and waist. Cloud of salt/pepper curly hair. She was wearing three very large (nearly to her knuckle) silver rings. Looked great.
Susan: Average to big hands can wear the largest rings. Have fun looking!
General comment: I really dislike bitsy jewelry on grown women. Sometimes I see someone well-dressed but their jewelery is too small and girlish.
Pseu: One of the tings I notice when in Paris is how many women are wearing big rings by day. I love it.
Nancy: Rings can be sized. And rings made to order such as the Etsy option can be ordered in your size.
Another Etsy seller who makes wonderful rings is Studio 94. Very funky and fun styles - not for the shy. This is a link to the ring I commissioned about a year ago:
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/23239702
One diamond-and-sapphire number I purchased years ago when I got a huge promotion. It was a "yay me" purchase, but definitely too large for my everyday stature at the time. I wear it to work these days.
Another is a tahitian pearl and diamond in a very modern setting. That one still comes out only for fancy dinners, but it makes me drool when I see it.
Jewelry is one of my favorite things... my anniversary was monday and DH surprised me with gorgeous emerald earrings, the quality of which made me think they must be Russian Diopside when I first saw them. He gave me a very disapproving look, so I revised my impression, and happily sported them Tuesday AM.
Oh, and I have a super emerald cut aquamarine and tanzanite ring that I got for a milestone birthday. That one is on my finger today. It makes me happy whenever I look down!
Reading your post made me realize that I can wear it when I want to, not just when I'm decked out in the rest of my turquoise finery...
HB: Really cool jewelry, thanks for link! And in Taiwan! Hope reader demi-pointe, looking for a pendant, sees this. Good point, a big ring really lifts a simple ensemble.
Anonymous: Glass is wonderful material and makes such pleasing jewelry in the hands of a skilled artisan. (Eventually rings scratch, but hey for $12 who cares.)
spacegeek: What a thrilling gift- you will wear with delight, and often. And your other pieces sound mouthwatering, would love to see that pearl and diamond piece, sigh.
Rubi: Big turquoise is like a swimming pool on your finger in the depths of winter. What a beauty.
LPC: I wonder about that ;)
The startle effect wanes with wear. Some of the Beladora pieces you borrowed prove that you wear bigger pieces beautifully! Not a far stretch from those earrings to a cocktail ring, heh heh.
Belle: I'm fond of retro too. You always have magnificent examples; anyone thinking of a big ring should check your sites first.
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/templates/P9.jhtml?itemId=cat12100741&parentId=cat2650734&masterId=cat4870731&cmCat=
Some are very reasonably priced.
These are all gorgeous pieces Duchesse. One of my favorite dinner rings though is a mid-century dome of big orange aurora borealis rhinestones that I got at a flea market for $4! When I bought it I was about 35, and I wore it then too.
I have also always preferred larger, striking pieces of jewellery; as I have blossomed over the years, however (over 50 now!), I have felt that a full grown woman deserves a "full grown ring". Have sat across the table at meetings from older, more powerful women than I; the delicate little pieces they've worn since their teens seem incongruous to me. As always, however, this is definitely a matter of personal taste -- and I do love your taste, Duchesse!
Amities, Teresa
I also have a big, big sterling silver ring shaped into a rose. I bought it on the street on vacation in Santa Barbara and I wore it nearly every day all summer.
I'm 5'10" and agree with you that bitsy jewelry is not the thing for our height.
This ring is even more special because my grandmother gave my mom three small diamonds - chips, really - that my mother added to the opal cocktail ring.
For the past few years, in honor of mothers, October, and anniversaries, I've swapped my opal engagement ring for the large opal cocktail ring. I tell people I've "supersized" for the month.
This entry makes me aware that perhaps it's time to wear the ring more often. I worry about the ring cracking, but it must be 35 years old and is in fine shape.
Opinions?
Darla
Wearing no rings is not going to change your hands, but wearing big rings makes life more fun.