A Glimpse Into the Roaring Twenties and Beyond
With Walton’s Jewelry and Stable Reserve
Renowned for their daring designs and dazzling extravagance, cocktail and dinner rings emerged at the dawn of the 20th century as a cherished emblem of women’s emancipation.
With the onset of World War I, a surge of American women entered the workforce, discovering newfound financial independence and social freedom. This era witnessed a transformation in women’s lifestyle—hem lengths and hair cuts were getting shorter, their attitudes a bit bolder and a surge in their presence in social spaces previously dominated by men. Smoking, dancing and socializing at bars became the norm, signaling a cultural shift until the advent of prohibition.
But American women were not so eager to give up their newfound freedoms that easily…
As the speakeasy scene boomed throughout the 1920s, flapper fashion flourished alongside it. Mixed drinks gained popularity to mask the harsh taste of moonshine, and the eye-catching “dinner ring” subtly evolved into the modern-day “cocktail ring.”
Worn on the right hand, but rarely on the ring finger, these rings conveyed a sense of independence and captured the attention of bartenders as women signaled for a drink. Many women even coordinated the color of their gems with their favorite drinks, although birthstones and diamonds were simultaneously becoming wildly popular. Dinner and cocktail rings have since remained a wardrobe staple for women, symbolizing elegance with a touch of rebellion—a sentiment deeply ingrained in the spirit of Williamson County.
In an era where women struggled for financial recognition, Melba Walton defied the odds by establishing Walton’s Antique and Estate Jewelry. Now boasting a fifty-year legacy in Downtown Franklin, carried on by Melba’s son, Mike Walton, and now her granddaughter, Julie Walton Garland, the showroom houses a treasure trove of antique dinner and cocktail rings. Our team of GIA-trained experts welcomes you to explore our showroom or shop online at waltonsjewelry.com.
For those seeking a taste of sophistication in March, indulge in a limited-time cocktail named after the trailblazing Melba Walton, crafted by our neighbors at Stable Reserve. They have artfully concocted a special blend to honor Women’s History Month in collaboration with Walton’s Jewelry.
Celebrate the spirit of Women’s History Month with us and savor a taste of sophistication at Stable Reserve—just ask for the ‘Melba,’ featuring a delicate blend of lemon, mint, and Stable Reserve gin infused with lavender (pictured in the top photo). Here’s to shaping elegance and embracing independence in every facet of life!
