Cocktails anyone? Raise your right hand if you love cocktails at Christmas – is there a better time, its party season after all!

You’ve got your new cocktail dress a Bellini in your hand and wait – what’s that?……. the most stunning cocktail ring on your Right Hand. This must be the ‘girl power’ of the Naughties. This is the beautiful ring you get to choose for yourself! No waiting for this baby. Cocktail rings have taken off and in this new millennium they are known as the ‘Right Hand Ring’.

Apparently there is a saying that goes “The left hand is for thee, the right hand is for me,” So get yourself a ring to celebrate – what are we celebrating? Independence, happiness, empowerment, individuality – anything you like!

Since 2004 the big hitters in fine jewellery such as The Diamond Trading Company (the marketing arm of De Beers), as well as large and small jewellery houses around the world, have been pushing the right-hand ring. De Beers, the marketing driving force behind diamonds all over the world now says “Your left hand rocks the cradle, your right hand rules the world” The New York Times even introduced the term “bling” finger.

What does a right hand ring look like? Traditionally cocktail rings were extremely large, ostentatious pieces women were wearing in the 1940’s & 50’s. Now it looks however you want it too. If you Google “cocktail ring” or “right hand ring Images” the styles are endless. Many women opt for colour (e.g. Amethyst, Pink Topaz, Citrine) and surround it with tiny diamonds to bring out the bling. Stefano Canturi has been quoted as saying. “Because the choice of a right-hand ring is usually a strong reflection of who you are, your taste and style, it should be worn as often as possible”.

Despite what De Beers would have you believe you don’t have to pay thousands for a cocktail ring. While diamonds are, of course, fabulous, there are many different ways a girl can express herself with a right hand ring. Price points differ hugely. Have a look at the styles Jan Logan has been creating. If you look on her website under semi-precious she has a range of 9ct cocktail rings which are quite affordable. The choice of stone will make a huge impact on price. Precious stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds) will be the most expensive but the semi precious stones can be similarly stunning. Cabochon –cut (polished, not facetted) has been forgotten lately but in a simple 9ct setting can be absolutely stunning.

	It turns out that many of those fabulous diamonds worn by celebrities at the Golden Globes were in support of the Raise Your Right Hand Ring for Africa campaign, which raised $30,000 for three projects that will directly benefit the people and communities in Africa, according to the Diamond Information Center (DIC).
Angelina’s emerald makes a statement all of its own!
	The Sex and the City girls donned knuckle-sized diamond right-handers for their final episode party. And Halle Berry slipped a notably flashy rock on to her right hand in her film Catwoman. Kristin Davis, left, and Sarah Jessica Parker sport their diamond right-hand rings by Fred Leighton at their end-of-series party for Sex and the City. Picture: Albert Ferreira
When you get this beautiful ring you’ll have to show it off so wrap your hand around a beautifully simple cocktail like this Bellini ½ Fresh Peach Chilled Champagne Blend peach into puree in blender, spoon into serving glass then top with chilled champagne So maybe you better not tell your left hand what your right hand is doing! (It’s going to be jealous!!)