If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time (and I haven’t yet driven you away with my incessant blathering), you will know there are two things in this world I can’t resist:

1. A good pair of shoes with heels high enough to break your ankles, and
2. OTT cocktail rings that make people say “what the hell is that growing on your finger”.

So it should come as no surprise to hear that I just purchased this Holly Jones Queen Bee ring, which fulfills all my key criteria for a ring (large, flashy and shaped like an animal). I don’t feel too guilty about this purchase because it’s reduced to $20 from $99, so really it would have been foolish of me NOT to buy it (you would be surprised by the number of ways I can find to justify any purchase).

The site has some gorgeous pieces including earrings, necklaces and bracelets in the sale section, so make sure you check those out while you’re at it.

By Caroline Warnes

If you like your cocktail rings with a hefty dose of the extravagant (and really, there is no other way to have them), then you’ll love the StudioLeanne Etsy store.

These unique statement rings are the work of a Melbourne-based designer, who works with glass and ceramic to create beautiful one-off pieces.

Prices aren’t too bad either - most of the rings are around the $30 mark, plus shipping.

The Spirals and Swirls cocktail ring is my favourite of the collection, selling for a very reasonable $25.

By Caroline Warnes

If you love yourself some glamorous bling but can’t afford the real thing, costume jewellery is the only way to go.

I myself am a huge fan of costume jewellery, especially over-the-top cocktail rings, which are one of my shopping weaknesses.

I just discovered another Australian site for buying jewellery online, Miriyan jewellery, and it has some pretty and affordable pieces.

This sterling silver marcasite and agate ring is beautiful and so unique, plus it’s reduced to a very reasonable $49.

By Caroline Warnes

Here’s something cheap and cheerful to finish off a week that has been anything but those two things.

My love of the legendary Panthere de Cartier (AKA Cartier panther) ring grows deeper with each passing year so I’ll always stop and linger over any cocktail rings that are inspired by this masterpiece.

This Diva leopard ring is another contender and it acquits itself quite well for $25.

You can buy it online, or head into your nearest Diva store at lunchtime and have this knuckleduster on your finger in time for after work drinks tonight.

By Caroline Warnes

Everyone loves a multitasker and this Marc Jacobs Lola perfume ring is a bit of a powerhouse.

Not only is it a glamorous, over-the-top cocktail ring (I’m in love with the colours), but you can also open the top of it to reveal the solid version of Marc Jacobs’ Lola perfume inside.

As the name suggests, solid perfume is… well… solid perfume. You can rub a little on your finger like balm then distribute on your wrists, neck and wherever else you usually wear your perfume.

This is a far better idea then having to carry a bottle of perfume with you if you think you might need it for a night out. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has broken bottles and ruined bags this way.

The Marc Jacobs Lola perfume ring is available now from Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies. Its recommended retail price is $65.

By Caroline Warnes

Another great sale is happening at the moment for anyone who loves their OTT diamonds and bling but doesn’t have the cash to pony up for the real thing.

Ella Bleau is an Australian online jewellery shop that does costume jewellery versions of the real stuff and the site is having a small online sale at the moment.

Rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets are all included so if no one ever buys you diamonds, I strongly suggest you treat yourself to something a little more affordable.

This cocktail ring is my favourite from the sale - canary diamonds are just gorgeous - and it’s quite reasonably priced at $50.

By Caroline Warnes

A nice extravagant cocktail ring is one of my favourite fashion indulgences and at the moment I am torturing myself by looking at pictures of this CC Skye Blossom ring, which I desperately want but can ill afford.

It’s a beautiful, chunky art-deco cocktail ring that features over a hundred Swarovski crystals individually hand-set on a black enamel and gold detail cone disc. This is a very large ring so it’s definitely not one for anyone who likes their jewellery understated.

I’ve had a look around online and the cheapest place I could find to buy it was at ShopBop.com - you can pick it up in a size 6 or 7 for US$245 (AU$267) plus free international shipping.

Unfortunately I won’t be buying it, but I can always dream.

By Caroline Warnes

One of Australia’s favourite jewellery designers, Samantha Wills, is currently hosting an online sale and it’s a beauty.

The Samantha Wills sale offers savings of up to 50% on selected pieces, including bracelets, bangles, earrings, necklaces and rings.

Samantha Wills makes some gorgeous costume jewellery, so if you like your accessories big and flashy (but also classy) then you need to check this sale out.

These Gracie earrings are my favourite of the sale items and they’re reduced to to just $49. They’re making me wish I hadn’t sworn off shopping for the month.

By Caroline Warnes

Today’s contender in Australian Jewellery Week doesn’t come cheap, but the range is so gorgeous that I just had to give it a mention.

Georgini is an Australian-owned family jeweller that makes some serious bling that won’t (completely) break the bank. Each piece is made of rhodium-plated sterling silver set with cubic zirconias, semi-precious stones and crystals.

The result is pieces such as these beautiful cocktail rings pictured here, which are part of the spring/summer 09 collection and sell for $329 each. Check out the site to find earrings, necklaces and other jewellery in a similar style.

Georgini jewellery stockists are listed on the site.

By Caroline Warnes

If you are having trouble finding that perfect Christmas gift for the uber-trendy and stylish woman in your life, don’t panic, for I am here to help!

Every woman needs her own outstanding statement ring - not the kind you buy on sale from Diva for $2.95, but the kind that looks really expensive (and probably is).

I found this Mink Euphoria statement ring this morning and I think it would appeal to just about everyone - it’s sterling silver with an 18-carat gold plated centre plus a nice and flashy 3.5cm-diameter.

At $198, the price is nice and flashy too - but surely she’s worth it, right?

By Caroline Warnes