The Ultimate Guide to A Fine Jewelry Wardrobe Part 4 – RINGS

The Ultimate Guide to A Fine Jewelry Wardrobe Part 4 – RINGS

When ringing in the new year, we decided to take a fresh look at our absolute favorite category of fine jewelry – the ring! No other piece of jewelry is as personal and as beloved by the wearer, simply because you can see it every time you look down or pick up your phone. Rings are also the only category of fine jewelry that are specifically sized for your hand or your finger. Your jewelry box is simply incomplete without rings. Here, we will look at our most recommended types of rings to help build the quintessential fine jewelry wardrobe that you can then pass on to future generations. 

“Rings have a particular fascination for me,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti, founder of PICCHIOTTI. “On such a small ‘canvas’ my design team and I can create a work of art that allows for maximal self-expression. Both women and men love to wear rings as symbols of self-worth and status and personal preferences. We also all love to gift rings because we know how much pleasure the gift will continue to give. Because rings are an everyday part of our wardrobes, at PICCHIOTTI, we have spent countless hours in research and development to create the most comfortable and durable ring shanks with our highly popular Xpandable™️ collection. It should feel good to express yourself and to convey your fashion personality. Our rings help people do just that. Choosing the perfect cocktail ring, eternity band, or bridal ring… that’s the fun part for you!”

Cocktail Rings 

No fine jewelry wardrobe would be complete without a cocktail ring or two. Cocktail rings became popular during the U.S. Prohibition Era of the 1920s and ‘30s when fashionable flappers would defy the law by drinking newly created “cocktails” in highly secretive speakeasy parties that symbolized newfound freedoms from Victorian codes of stringent morality.  The original versions of cocktail rings often featured large gemstones and/or Art Deco designs, intended to be worn on the right hand to distinguish them from bridal rings.  Today, cocktail rings come in a wide variety of styles, but bold center stones still tend to be the defining feature, although many multi-stone styles also abound.  

 For a modern take on the classic cocktail ring, consider adding a ring to your fine jewelry wardrobe featuring an unusual gemstone cut. A bold gorgeous cabochon Sugar Loaf cut emerald creates an incredibly distinctive style set with PICCHIOTTI’s signature baguette diamonds and both yellow and white gold in a durable Xpandable™️ shank that easily slides over knuckles and can be worn comfortably over the years as your ring size changes. An exquisite heart-shaped ruby framed by baguette diamonds is another great example. This statement ring expresses love in the most highly prized way, perfect for ruby lovers, those born in July, or for anyone wishing for something other than common round cuts.  The 18K yellow gold touches add a two-tone styling that allows the ring to pair with various metals in luxury watches, bangle bracelets, or chains.  

For the truly bold who love styles beyond the norm, a large hexagon shaped pink tourmaline forms the basis of an Essentially Color cocktail ring that is framed by planes of black gem ceramic and round white diamonds in a geometric and three dimensional design. This ring will make a statement with little black dresses, neutrals, or teal blue and pink satin or chiffon fabrics.  Another way to make a modern impression is to wear the center stone off-center. PICCHIOTTI’s “Chandelier” ring in 18K white gold features a precious deep blue oval sapphire haloed by round white diamonds in a design that allows the ring to sit forward on the finger or rest gently back on the hand, depending on how you wear it. The three ribbon-like diamond sinews gracefully bring the eye to the focal point of the ring – the sapphire.  The main feature or center of the ring does not have to be a colored gemstone either. The Xpandable “Signature Style” ring places the color, the buff-topped baguette sapphires, all along the two-row shank and highlights the mirrored square emerald-cut white diamonds at center, haloed with PICCHIOTTI’s signature baguettes. A very unique take on a cocktail ring! 

Opaque gemstones are trending at present, and they also make for incredibly interesting cocktail rings. The coral ring in the feature image above is a great example. The opacity of the Mediterranean coral offers a wonderful contrast to the sparkling diamonds at center. Other attractive opaque stones like turquoise, onyx, and mother-of-pearl can offer a striking pop of color to any favorite outfit. 

Cocktail rings are often worn for parties, galas, special events, and with black tie attire, but the best thing about cocktail rings is that they can be worn any day or every day. Use your favorite cocktail rings to add some sparkle to a business suit or lift your mood during sweater weather. Stare into the luxurious gemstones and let Mother Nature’s natural beauty bring an element of awe to your day. 

Eternity Bands 

Another ring basic that is a must for every fine jewelry wardrobe is the eternity band. Long defined as a classic row of white diamonds, the eternity band has broken out of its shell in recent years with a variety of styles including colored diamonds, as well as both fine and semi-precious gemstones. Eternity bands are also great for stacking, either on the same finger or across the hand on various fingers. The Celine Spring/Summer 2026 runway featured rings on every finger prompting some fashion editors to declare “bare fingers are officially a thing of the past.” (WhoWhatWear) Rings are now meant to be stacked and worn in multiples, and the eternity band is perfect for both. 

For thicker fingers or larger hands, consider wider band designs. For thinner, more delicate fingers or for those with a demure fashion sense, opt for sleek, streamlined, thinner bands. All-diamond styles offer an elevated sense of luxury, adding sophistication to everyday ensembles, and they often double as wedding bands or “anniversary bands” intended to be worn daily.  PICCHIOTTI’s Xpandable™️ eternity bands offer luxurious comfort, easily sliding over knuckles or expanding and contracting gently as fingers swell or change in size. This versatility makes them perfect for wearing on different fingers or for lifelong wear, as in the classic “anniversary band.” 

Diamond eternity bands need not be all that classic, though. PICCHIOTTI has a new cadre of “gold accent” Xpanabable designs featuring a frame of yellow or rose gold along the row of emerald cut, round, long baguettes or mixed cuts of diamonds. New styles also embrace the use of colored diamonds such as fancy yellow diamonds, as well as colored gemstones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.  Graduated sizing of the diamonds creates another contemporary style of eternity band. The largest diamond being at center allows the eternity band to double as an engagement ring, as well. 

Eternity bands are also not limited to solely diamonds. PICCHIOTTI’s Fashion Gems offer fun options for band lovers in a variety of stones, including opaque gems like turquoise, coral, mother-of-pearl, and onyx or a variety of colorful gem ceramics. These types of rings can be playfully stacked or worn on various fingers to fit the mood du jour, or they can be worn as pinky rings in your favorite gem to allow a little bit more of you to shine through. 

Masterpieces 

For special occasions or for commemoration of milestones, every fine jewelry wardrobe needs at least some wow-factor in the form of a Masterpiece ring. PICCHIOTTI’s Masterpieces are a hallmark of the maison, offering superlative gemstones and the meticulous craftsmanship that the brand has become known for. Unrivaled rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds form the core of exquisite designs that make a memorable statement and leave a lasting impression as beloved heirlooms. 

Unrivaled Ceylon sapphires are, in themselves, Masterpieces of Mother Nature. PICCHIOTTI uses some of the top sapphires in the world in iconic rings, often featuring their signature baguette diamonds as a halo around the center stone, like the Masterpiece Sapphire ring shown above. Featuring a rare, deeply blue octagonal sapphire framed with unusually distinctive trapezoid diamonds and haloed with baguettes, this ring will stand the test of time and become a favorite in any sapphire lover’s jewelry box.  

The very best rubies are often oval, round or cushion cut, as the faceting in these shapes allows the depth of color and the true beauty of the stone to shine through. For more on ruby quality, see our Luxury Buying Guide on How to Buy the Very Finest Quality of Rubies. In the ruby Masterpiece ring shown above, the timeless design features trapezoid cushion cut diamonds flanking the magnificent oval ruby and a halo of baguette diamonds that offers both a hint of the past and the promise of a beautiful future. Similarly, the emerald Masterpieces ring above displays hints of the beloved Art Deco aesthetic in the pyramid of baguette diamonds that supports the impressive octagonal emerald at center. 

Sometimes semi-precious rings can also be Masterpieces. Depth and consistency of color, exceptional cutting or faceting, brilliance, and/or sparkle all create extraordinary value in unheated, untreated all-natural gemstones. The PICCHIOTTI Fan ring shown above features an eye-catching design inspired by ancient Roman amphitheaters with terraced rows of fanned baguette diamonds leading the eye to center-stage where a truly remarkable unheated natural oval Spessartite garnet can be fully appreciated and admired. Given the rarity of this unique stone, this ring is considered a Masterpiece for both its quality of materials and its beautiful design. 

The inherent value in such exceptional stones makes the Masterpieces rings all the more valuable and increasingly so over time. Investing in a stunning statement-making ring elevates the rest of your fine jewelry wardrobe and gives you the perfect jewel for special one-of-a-kind events or experiences. Before buying, be sure to try them on and ask a reputable bench jeweler if the ring can be sized. 

Bridal/Engagement Rings 

Last but definitely not least, we come to engagement rings. An engagement ring is particularly special, not only because of its romantic symbolism but because it is intended to stay with you for life. Choosing the perfect engagement ring is highly personal and can be a fun process with lots of treasure hunting. There are a wide variety of engagement ring styles, including solitaires, toi et moi rings, halo rings, colored gemstone center stone designs, and three stone rings. 

Many people choose a solitaire for their engagement ring. There are various cuts or shapes for those center solitaire stones – oval, emerald cut, princess cut, etc. Giuseppe suggests you try on many shapes of solitaires to see which you love most and which works best with your particular fingers. PICCHIOTTI offers a variety of solitaire styles in our beloved Xpandable ring shank. As mentioned above, the Xpandbale technology allows the ring to easily expand and contract, making it perfect for engagement rings because it can grow with the wearer over a lifetime and can easily expand over knuckles that tend to get larger as people age. You can also surprise your soon to be spouse when you propose, as you do not need to know the exact ring size.  Center stones that are ringed by diamonds are considered “halo” rings and offer a little extra sparkle. Many people who opt for colored gemstone engagement rings will choose a halo style, adding a hint of tradition with the diamonds in the halo but breaking the mold with the gemstone at center. 

For those wanting something even more unique to their particular love story, consider a toi et moi ring. These ring feature two stones that meet in the middle, with the shank that wraps the finger bringing them face to face. These distinctive rings offer opportunities for personalization such as selecting the birthstones of the bride and groom as the two gems. PICCHIOTTI’s ruby and sapphire toi et moi ring also incorporates mixed metals, featuring both yellow and white gold for a very contemporary appeal.  

Three stone rings are another popular bridal choice, offering more design appeal to those not fond of the single diamond solitaire. PICCHIOTTI offers a variety of options in three stone rings, rubies, emeralds, or sapphires flanked by white diamonds or versions that feature three impeccable emeralds, rubies, or sapphires. These rings can also be very symbolic, representing the couple’s past, present, and future.  

Whichever engagement ring you choose, be sure to work with a reputable fine jeweler who can guide you through the process of selecting your center stone or help you try on a variety of options before you choose the one that works best for you and your love, forever. 

Similar to earrings, no modern fine jewelry wardrobe would be complete with just one ring. Add to your jewelry box when time and budget allow and choose wisely as you experiment with stacking eternity bands, cocktail rings, masterpieces, and your bridal rings. The best part about rings is that you get to enjoy them as much as everyone else. Here’s hoping your rings give you a little mood lift every time you glance down, pick up your phone, or shake someone’s hand. Wear them in good health and keep collecting the styles that reflect your personal flair. 

 

 

Feature image at top – clockwise from upper left – model wearing PICCHIOTTI Xpandable eternity bands with fancy yellow diamonds, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable cocktail ring in Mediterranean coral and bullet diamonds, PICCHIOTTI Rosebud Toi & Moi ring, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable diamond engagement ring with buff topped rubies, PICCHIOTTI Gold Accent Xpandable eternity band, PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces “Fan” ring  

 

If you liked this, you might also like: 

The Ultimate Guide to a Modern Fine Jewelry Collection Part 3 – Brooches 

The Ultimate Guide to a Modern Fine Jewelry Collection Part 2 – Necklaces 

The Ultimate Guide to a Modern Fine Jewelry Collection Part 1 – Essential Earrings 

Masterpieces Bracelets – Statements of Extraordinary Style