Jewelry trends tend to stick around for a while, and “stacking rings” may well be a trend that’s forever in style. What do we mean by “stacking rings”? It’s basically the practice of wearing a mix of ring styles on a single finger; the term also applies to the types of rings that lend themselves best to stacking (i.e., super slender rings that nest seamlessly with other styles).
The stacking rings concept appeals to minimalists and maximalists alike. Why? Rings that are delicate and slender in scale naturally lend themselves to stacking with other styles (picture a trio of thin bands set with the tiniest of diamonds). Alternatively, stacking rings satisfies a “more is more” approach to jewelry style; in this case, you would pile on a bunch of rings to create a bold statement (diverse thicknesses and textures amplify this effect).
Many jewelry lovers regard stacking up their rings as a kind of art form and take pleasure in mixing and matching their existing rings in unique combinations. They are also quick to add new stacking ring styles to their collections because stacking rings tend to be more affordable than other jewelry styles (for example, a standalone gemstone cocktail ring).
On some level, you can never have too many stacking rings since the whole point is to play with different combinations. As such, stacking rings also make great gifts for those who collect them—including yourself.
Ahead, some ring-stacking guidelines and suggestions so that you can land on a mix that elevates your look, invites conversation, and brings you joy.
The fingers to focus on
Is there such a thing as stacking too many rings? Yes! Stacking rings on a few fingers is fine, but creating a tower of stacking rings on a single finger is not the goal here. To prevent going overboard, limit your ring stacks to up to four fingers at a time, leaving the pinky or thumb ring-free. You could also wear your stacking rings on both hands, distributing them among all ten fingers. Ideally, the rings are stacked with each other in a perfectly snug formation but it’s fine if there are gaps between the styles or a general lack of uniformity due to disparate widths and metal textures.
The ideal number of rings
When determining how many rings to stack on a finger, consider both the combined width and height of the rings. Are you stacking thick bands, chain rings, eternity bands, or a set of two or three styles that are specifically designed to be worn together? It’s best to select one finger—the longest ones like the middle and ring fingers—to be the “leading lady” and reserve it for your highest stack of rings. If you stack rings on other fingers, make the stacks shorter so that the leading-lady finger gets pride of place on your hand.
Super skinny rings (1 mm and smaller) are the easiest to stack but the actual number of styles will depend on the length and width of your fingers. If your hands are petite, stick to slender rings, as wider rings will eat up precious finger “real estate.” With larger hands, feel free to experiment with chunkier styles for a bold yet balanced look.
When assembling your stacks, the number of rings you add should not cause discomfort. So perhaps cut off the height of your stack at the knuckle; if any of your stacking rings create a “muffin top” effect (which can also pinch quite a bit) you might need to downsize your stack and remove a style or two.
Colors, metals, & shapes
The best stacking ring combos effortlessly balance contrasting textures and finishes. Plain Janes play well with diamond-scattered styles; a high-shine gold band is gorgeous when sandwiched between two that have hammered or engraved finishes.
The chicest, most artfully assembled ring stacks have a clear focal point while the other stacking rings work to enhance its appearance with complementary colors or a flash of sparkling diamonds (which go with everything!). As you shop for stacking rings, check out “ring jackets”—they slide over a more important ring, effectively creating a frame around it; the overall look is very cohesive. A pair of chevron rings can often serve the same purpose; a single chevron ring within a stack is a nice touch, too, as its shape naturally creates an open space for wearing additional styles.
To achieve a coordinated (not mixed) look, wear stacking rings from the same designer (the metal colors will automatically be uniform). With gold, try to stick with a ring stack comprised of all 18k rings or all 14k rings because if you layer 14k and 18k together, the softer 18K ring will get scratched.
More ring-stacking strategies
Many jewelry collectors get into the stacking ring game when they get married, opting to surround their engagement ring with a matched set of two wedding bands. Later they might add more rings to their existing engagement ring/wedding stack to mark the birth of children or to commemorate five-, 10-, and 20-year anniversaries.
We also love the idea of building up an everyday ring stack over time, continually adding rings to signify important life events like graduations, milestone birthdays, promotions and more. Like a charm bracelet for your finger, ultimately a ring stack can be a collection of your most treasured moments and memories.
You’ll find that it’s easy to curate ring stacks, especially when you start to build up a collection over time. To protect your investment in these pieces, make sure you get them insured by a reputable jewelry company like Jewelers Mutual. Obtaining personal jewelry insurance through Jewelers Mutual is an affordable option and covers loss, damage and disappearances. You can check your rate by clicking the button below.
