Styles: Cocktail Smarties

POPES, PRINCESSES, Super Bowl champs and superheroes all realize that big rings make a big statement. The flashiest bands, known as cocktail rings, boast oversized, knuckle-grazing gems or charms. They trace their lineage to the 1920s and '30s, when flappers and other glam gals wore such finger candy to swill martinis or do the Charleston.

"Cocktail rings are attention-getters," says Dawn Benedetto, whose Poppi rings glitter online and at her Torpedo Factory studio (105 N. Union St., Alexandria). "They show off hands better than manicures." Whether made of leather, gems or resin, such bold bijoux vault office outfits from drab to fab and look wild in their natural habitat: a nightclub.

(1) Sequins strung together equal a snazzy "jewel" that attaches to (and detaches from) a stainless steel shank on Axel Russmeyer's modernist bauble. (bead, $700, shank, $300, Jewelers'werk, 3319 Cady's Alley NW; 202-337-3319)

(2) Ocean jasper comes from the earth, but its otherworldly coloring makes it look as if it's from the moon. Local designer Paul Kerkhoven set it in silver on a signet ring suitable for her or him. ($160, Homebody, 715 8th St. SE; 202-544-8445)

(3) As pretty as a window-box daisy, yet much less likely to wilt, a red leather posey adds punch to a black and white dress. ($12, Exit 9, 212-228-0145)

(4) Save "Little Mermaid" logos for toddlers. The black-manicured digits of Goth grown-ups look chicer in Hotcakes Design's Mexican lottery sea siren ring carved in resin. ($40, other styles available; hotcakesdesign.com)

(5) For champagne style on a Coors Light budget, try Forever 21's plastic fantastic bijoux. ($3.80, forever21.com)

(6) Like something your boho great aunt might've worn, a ceramic and vermeil butterfly piece adds romance to a sundress or tee. ($178, anthropologie.com)

(7) On the spot: Circus-bright dots star on a blocky resin ring. ($35, Chocolate Moose, 1743 L St. NW; 202-463-0992)

(8) So Greek goddessy, Anne Maa's yellow citrine charmer rests on a base of gold-filled wire. ($135; annemadesigns.com)

(9) Bling it on: Nobody needs to know that this show-stopping silver paw-trimmer holds a Swarovski crystal, not a priceless stone. ($160, Alvear Studio, 705 8th St. SE; 202-546-8434)

(10) Silver, planet-like orbs create an intriguing, mini-solar system on any hand that wears this unusual ring. ($80, Alvear Studio)

(11) Lapus lazuli, stone of the pharaohs, gets a modern spin set in 18 karat yellow gold and diamonds on Karen Karch's Ritz Cracker-sized darling. ($5,250; karenkarch.com)

(12) Bright as a Popsicle, a neon-blue wooden band looks cool with 1980s-inspired styles. ($10, ShoeFly, 2618 Wilson Blvd.; Arlington; 703-243-6490)

(13) Tana Acton used wrapped gold wire to string freshwater pearls on a pretty-yet-rad style. It'd add charm to tunic or peasanty dress. ($160, Art & Soul, 225 Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 202-548-0105)