Pearl and Diamond Ring, Bulgari

Unique Elements
This cocktail ring serves the original intent of cocktail rings – to flash brightly as you raise your glass, in this case with a beautiful pearl and diamonds that can go anywhere, with a flirty dress or as a pinky ring worn with a suit.

Cocktail Ring A large ring worn on any finger other than the left ring finger can be called a cocktail ring. The history of the cocktail ring goes back to the American prohibition era of the 1920s. During this time, alcoholic beverages were banned, leading to the rise of illegal drinking establishments called speakeasies where for the first time, women were also in attendance. These art deco era women would drink glamorous cocktails in their best outfits which included oversized gemstone rings to flash while raising their glasses. Cocktail rings can feature any large stone, from diamond, sapphire, pearl and emerald to tourmaline, aquamarine or citrine. Others feature smaller stones set together to form flowers or animals such as panthers or tigers.

Round Brilliant-Cut The Round Brilliant Cut dates back to 1919, when Marcel Tolkowsky calculated a formula for proportional diamond design to maximize fire, brilliance and wearability, published as “Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in Diamond.” A round brilliant diamond can also be called a full cut diamond if it features the cutting standard of 57 or 58 facets.

Bulgari Founded in Rome in 1884 by Sotirios Voulgaris, who changed his name to Bulgari, the company continued to expand after World War 2 with the introduction of its renowned Serpenti collection of bracelet-watches. During the 1950s and 60s Bulgari continued to make its name for use of multi-colored stones, creating pieces for Elizabeth Taylor, Ingrid Bergman and Gina Lollobrigida. Today the house continues to be known for angular forms, strong colors, cabochon gems and enduring collections such as Serpenti and Parentesi.