Ring stacking has been a mainstream fashion trend since the 1990s, and it applies to bridal jewellery too.
Wearing a wedding band and engagement ring on the same finger came back into fashion, and never left. The choices available can be overwhelming when deciding to stack your bridal rings.
Nested and shaped wedding bands are designed to fit the contours of an engagement ring, allowing them to be worn neatly on the same hand. However, there are many more ways to mix and match rings for a modern take on an old tradition.
Why are engagement and wedding rings stacked?
Traditionally, wedding and engagement rings are stacked, or nested, on the same finger to show the joining together of two lives.
However, Victorian wives had a far more practical reason for stacking rings; a second band was used to secure the engagement ring with its big carat rock on the finger. It was appropriately called a guard or keeper ring.
The left ring finger is preferred as, according to ancient legend, there is a vein running directly from that finger to the heart – the vena amoris. We know now that it is scientifically not true, but the ring finger custom persists in the Western tradition.
When stacking rings on that finger, the wedding band is usually worn closest to the heart, combining sentiment and symbolic meaning.
Of course, nothing is holding you to either of these traditions, but should you decide to stack, here are our top tips.
Nested versus non-flush stacking rings
Nested rings in the same metal and style can give the illusion of being one single ring, a symbol of an unbreakable union. For example, a diamond wedding band to match a diamond engagement ring in the same white gold.
Rings can be purchased that fit exactly around a solitaire, halo or other settings, leaving no doubt at all that they were meant for each other. These can be bought as a deliberate set or made to fit after the bride has said yes to the proposal.
However, for those who like to mix it up a little, intentionally mismatching the shapes to allow for a gap between them can be a stylish modern option.
Chevron-shaped rings can be a compromise between the two stacking styles, giving a little show of skin between the bands but still fitting relatively snugly.
Make a statement with stacking
There is no doubt that engagement rings are meant to be seen. Bright and bold, they demand attention; they are a statement piece of jewellery.
A wedding band can be relatively plain in comparison, but it doesn’t have to be the ugly sister to the engagement ring. Choose a wedding ring that can shine on its own and can make a statement when stacked on the same finger.
Tradition dictates that the rings should match; however, mixing up texture, cut gemstones, metals, and shapes of rings can really make a stacked pair stand out.
Balance is key
If standing out is in, clashing styles are always out. Be careful to balance the big rocks out with more delicate settings, or pair a wider band with a thinner one.
Mix rose gold with silver shade or yellow gold for extra pop. If you must go for exactly matching colours in stones and metal, make sure the matches can pass a mother-in-law’s inspection!
Use your engagement ring as the lynchpin for the look and work from there in choosing a wedding band. Stack from there, but don’t over-stack; it needs to be comfortable and the aesthetic needs space to breathe to be fully appreciated.
Bespoke shaped ring pairs
Designed specifically for your finger and to match your engagement ring, a bespoke wedding band is made to last a lifetime.
Work with a jewellery designer or goldsmith to craft the perfect complement to an engagement ring. Each element of the look and feel is down to your choice.
Choose contrasting colours, or match them seamlessly. Choose a precious metal or stone that adds interest. Have it engraved with something meaningful, or leave it plain.
With a bespoke nested wedding band, you will be working directly with the craftsperson who will make the ring. They can advise on style, sizing, colour and stones to help make a piece of wedding jewellery that you’ll never want to take off.
Even if your engagement ring was made by a different jeweller, Liam Ross can provide a one-on-one service to create an elegant shaped wedding band.
Can you add more rings to a wedding stack?
Commemorate and celebrate big anniversaries and life events with an additional band to stack on your ring finger. It can match those you already have or include a colour or stone that has meaning for the occasion.
Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, is known for stacking five rings on her ring finger, including an engagement ring, a gold wedding band, a promise ring, and two precious stone eternity bands.
Her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, is also a fan of ring stacking, and Beyoncé and Victoria Beckham also stack multiple bands and rings on their wedding fingers.
This is one tradition that is unlikely to leave bridal hands anytime soon.