How To Curate The Perfect Ring Stack

We’ve had the layered-earring trend, the Instagram-famous #neckmess and, most recently, the wrist parties that lent a carefree, ’70s vibe to breezy silhouettes. But now, as we approach the festive season, it’s all about curating the perfect ring stack – and with cocktail events and holiday parties back on the agenda, our hands will once again be under the style spotlight.

The California-based jeweler Lauren Harwell Godfrey is a huge stack fan – her knuckle-high tiers of delicate gold bands, diamond eternity rings and geometric cocktail sparklers frequently garner hundreds of likes on social media. For her, the key to a successfully curated stack is experimenting with various ring sizes. “I think it’s important that not every ring is the same width – that helps,” she advises. Aside from that, she says, there are no rules. “Don’t be afraid to play with shapes, sizes, widths and materials. It’s always best to do something surprising.”

For Suzanne Kalan, who specializes in rainbow-like bands of baguette-cut sapphires, it’s all about a maximalist approach. “The more, the merrier,” she enthuses. “All our rings are designed to be worn alone or stacked, so it’s very easy.” When in doubt, she recommends seeking out complementary color families – grouping rings with warmer-toned gemstones and metals together, or pairing cool, aquatic-hued jewels with bands of pearls and white gold.

Gemstone rainbows are especially difficult to resist as party season draws near. Fabergé’s ‘Colors of Love' ring is cast from 18-karat yellow gold and features an array of vibrant sapphires, tsavorites, rubies and a single diamond, while Anita Ko tackles a rainbow theme set in rose gold. Consider slipping in neutral gold bands alongside rainbow styles – Sydney Evan’s evil-eye design will act as a subtle palette-cleanser in between brighter pieces.

With a greater focus on buying less, but buying better, a beautifully crafted ring that you can layer again and again also represents more than just a passing trend. “There is something very special about rings,” says Harwell Godfrey. “For me, they are symbolic. A group of my girlfriends got together to buy a ring for another girlfriend of theirs, and she was so touched. It really meant something extra.” When it comes to finding a unique gift this season, whether it’s for yourself or for a loved one, the reasons for choosing a stackable ring certainly do add up.