When it comes to jewelry, rings are some of the most beautiful and versatile accessories a woman can own. But with countless designs set aside and waiting for you in your jewelry box, how can you bear to pick just one or two to wear at a time? With ring stacking, you don’t have to!
Whether you’re looking for stacked wedding rings for your upcoming nuptials or searching for a way to elevate your everyday look, ring stacking allows you to create endless combinations to suit any style. With a few tips and tricks from our jewelry experts, you can learn everything you need to know about stacking rings today.
What is Ring Stacking?
Simply refined as wearing multiple rings on one finger, ring stacking is an increasingly popular trend with jewelry lovers. Whether you prefer the look of colorful stacked birthstone rings or monochrome metal, stacking rings is a great way to show off all your favorite bands in one look. If you’ve ever tried to stack your bracelets and bangles, you get the gist!
When Should You Wear Stacking Rings?
More often than not, when a jeweler mentions “stacking rings,” they’re referring to wedding rings. A stacked wedding ring set includes an engagement ring, a wedding band, and an eternity (or anniversary) ring. In this traditional form of stacking rings, you’re encouraged to add a new band to celebrate any major milestone in your life.
If you’re not looking to upgrade your wedding ring stack and still want to participate in the stunning trend, don’t fret! Anyone can create their own set of stacking rings, whether they prefer sophisticated bands or vibrant stacked birthstone rings to honor their June birthday.
What Kinds of Rings Can You Stack?
When searching for rings to add to your stacking collection, consider that certain designs will look better paired together than others. In general, choose silver and gold stack rings that sit flush against your skin and won’t rub against the other designs in the wedding ring stack. Popular choices for stacking rings include:
- Midi rings
- Eternity bands
- Slim rings
- Thumb rings
- Ring stack sets
Why Stacking Rings Are a Must-Have Accessory
Stacking rings have become a versatile staple in jewelry collections worldwide. Able to mix and match with different styles, metals, and gemstones, rings designed specifically for stacking can be used however the owner sees fit. Whether it’s putting together one statement stack for a single finger or spreading the designs across multiple fingers, this method of accessorizing allows people to showcase their unique style whenever and wherever they want.
Stacking rings also ensures that your favorite designs don’t go to waste. How many times have you forgotten you own a piece of jewelry before discovering it again months, if not years, later at the bottom of your jewelry box? Avoid this conundrum altogether by investing in stacked birthstone rings and metal bands you can wear at the same time.
Is Ring Stacking a New Trend?
While increasingly popular, it’s important to note that the concept of stacking rings dates back centuries across different ancient civilizations. In these days, silver and gold ring stacks were worn to symbolize status and wealth. More often than not, each ring would represent a specific accomplishment, whether that be personal, political, or societal.
In more recent years, stacking rings is used more as a fashion statement than a show of status. Fashion-forward individuals find pleasure in pairing different designs together to showcase their personal style. Whether it’s wearing multiple stacked birthstone rings on their fingers for good luck or modernizing the look of an heirloom band, stacking rings unlocks limitless accessorizing potential.
The Qualities of a Good Stacking Ring
When shopping for stacking rings, look for a diverse range of styles, shapes, and colors. Designs that are compatible with ring stacking tend to be made with:
- Durable materials
- Comfortable fits
- Versatile designs
- Varying widths
- Textured bands
- Contemporary shapes
- Occasional sparkle
Why We Love Wearing Stacked Birthstone Rings
Vibrant and stylish, stacked birthstone rings help add a personal touch to your stacked ring look. It’s long been believed that when someone wears their birthstone, they’ll be protected against bad luck and negative energies. Whether you’re sporting a diamond ring stack in honor of your April birthday or celebrating your May birthday with a dainty emerald pinky ring in your gold ring stack, one thing is sure—these glittering gemstone designs are the perfect pop of color you need in your jewelry collection.
How to Create Your Own Unique Ring Stack
When learning how to stack rings, it’s important to remember there are no rules! No one expects you to fit into any boxes—just follow your heart and create a stack you love. But if you need a little guidance, you can follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Pick a Theme
To curate a cohesive ring stack, consider sticking to a theme. This will help ensure every single design you own can be mixed and matched to your heart’s content without sacrificing overall style. Whether it’s forming a rainbow with glittering, stacked birthstone rings or sticking to an all-diamond ring stack, themes are the shortcut you need to guarantee your accessories are always beautiful.
Common Themes for Stacking Rings:
- Diamond shape
- Mixed metals
- Monochromatic colors
- Vintage design elements
- Personal heirlooms
Step 2: Choose a Focal Point
Similar to how we recommend you style an earring stack, you’ll want to start by choosing one or two rings to act as focal points. This could be extravagant stacked birthstone rings, a glittering gold ring, or, if you’re stacking wedding rings, your beautiful engagement ring! This anchor piece sets the tone for the rest of the stack and will help you choose the other bands.
Step 3: Determine How Many Rings You’d Like to Stack
Once you’ve chosen your attention-grabbing centerpiece, it’s time to consider how many rings you’d like to stack—and on how many fingers. This number is entirely a matter of personal preference, but in general, we recommend stacking 2-3 rings per finger. Keep in mind that too many rings could look cluttered, while too few may not accomplish your desired look.
When creating your ring stack, remember that balance is key. Try spacing your stacked birthstone rings across different fingers and leaving a few fingers entirely bare to create a visually intriguing contrast.
Step 4: Measure for Different Ring Sizes
As is the case with all ring shopping, knowing your ring size is crucial. In this case, since rings may be worn at non-traditional points along the finger, it’s important to keep track of all the different measurements to ensure a comfortable and balanced stack.
If your stacked wedding rings will all sit on top of one another, you can likely purchase the same ring size for each band. If you’re playing around with midi rings or pinky rings, you may want to invest in an at-home ring sizer or learn a DIY ring sizing method to ensure every design fits securely around your desired finger.
Step 5: Build a Base Layer
In order for your favorite stacked birthstone rings and wedding stack to pop, you need a flattering base set of bands. Choose a few simple gold, silver, or platinum bands to form a solid foundation. We recommend thin, plain designs with subtle textures or delicate gemstone details that allow surrounding designs to pop.
Pro tip: If you’re stacking wedding rings, the engagement ring will actually act as your base, as other designs are typically bought after it. If you’re a modern bride, you may create a foundational set of rings regardless and wear them all at once—the choice is yours!
Step 6: Look for Accent Pieces
If you prefer a more maximalist aesthetic, consider adding a few fun accent pieces. Whether you prefer a sparkling sapphire stacked birthstone ring or a sculpted DY Cable ring, these designs should enhance the beauty of your main ring and add dimension to your stack. As you’re shopping for accent stacking rings, keep an eye out for anything with funky shapes, engraved patterns,
Pro tip: For those stacking wedding rings, the accent piece would technically be your wedding band. This design will complement the style of your engagement ring and can be positioned either underneath or above it, depending on your preference.
Step 7: Play Around with the Correct Stacking Ring Order
Now that you have all your stacking rings, the real fun begins. Take the time to play around with different positions to find the best order of your stacked birthstone rings, signet designs, and simple bands. If you’re stacking on multiple fingers, make sure the spread is even and varies in height; if you’re just stacking on one, try different combinations to discover which stack you like best.
There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect stack and forgetting the order as soon as the pieces are removed. To avoid this, we recommend taking pictures of your favorite ring stacks to remember them for later recreations.
Can You Mix Metals When Stacking Rings?
Not only can you mix metals in a ring stack—it’s encouraged! As long as it’s done correctly, mixing metals is the best way to add depth to your everyday set or wedding ring stack.
Start by choosing a dominant metal tone. This should be either what you wear most often, to avoid clashing with your day-to-day staples, or a metal that flatters your skin tone. You can then layer in one (or two, if you’re feeling adventurous) accent metals to create a striking yet smooth contrast.
One easy way to introduce mixed metals into your ring stack is to find a design that features both materials. If you want to wear yellow gold and sterling silver together, try stacking a mixed-metal crossover ring to make the transition between the two tones seamless.
FAQ For Stacking Wedding Rings
Stacking wedding rings is more than accessorizing—it’s an art form. While anyone can wear day-to-day stacks, a wedding stack is a much more serious endeavor. If you didn’t purchase your engagement ring and wedding band together, then you may have a few questions:
What Order Are Stacked Wedding Rings Worn In?
Classic wedding ring stacks include two to three designs: the wedding band, traditionally worn on the bottom to be closer to the heart, and an engagement ring, which typically sits on top of it. Any additional and optional stacking rings are then added on top.
When Do You Add a Third Band to Your Wedding Ring Stack?
While some wedding ring stacks automatically feature all three bands, the majority of additional rings are bought to symbolize exciting milestones in a relationship. Anniversary bands, for instance, are a common way to celebrate significant years together, often featuring the assigned gemstone, whether that be a simple gold band celebrating your first year together or a ruby and diamond band for your 40th.
How Does a Spacer Ring Help a Wedding Ring Stack?
Spacer rings are thin bands made to sit between rings in a wedding stack, but why would you need them? Think of these stacking rings as a buffer, protecting your engagement ring and wedding band from potential damage. These are especially helpful for wedding ring stacks that feature delicate settings or softer gemstones.
Can You Solder Your Wedding Ring Stack Together?
If you buy your stacked wedding ring designs separately, but don’t love the idea that each band could slip off and come apart, consider asking your jeweler about soldering. This healing and melting process is used to permanently join your wedding stack together, offering you the stability and longevity you’re after. If they offer custom design services, they should be able to combine your designs, no questions asked.
Stacking rings may seem like the hot new trend, but we’re here to tell you, it’s here to stay! As far as forms of self-expression go, ring stacking offers endless possibilities for making bold statements and creating wearable, everyday looks that are completely unique to you. If you’re looking for inspiration to build the wedding ring stack of your dreams or searching for ways to mix and match your existing collection together, use our tips to get started and show off your style!
