Stacking Up with Style: Stackable Bands

The first golden rings appeared in Egypt during the 2nd millennium B.C.E. which was roughly 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. These rings were crudely sculpted and bulky in size. For millennia, even though rings got refined over time, they were still very large because creating dainty designs was very difficult with ancient metal working abilities and gold composites. Yet, over the last few decades, rings have been revolutionized by all our modern machines, new-age materials, and vogue fashions. These days, one of the top jewelry trends is stacking dainty jewelry, creating a statement look. This modern style calls on the heavy and bold looks of the past by utilizing the thin and simpler jewelry of the present.

The Hottest Trend: Mixing Metals

CDD2980-1R

As with many modern fashions, the hottest styles often used to be considered scandalous or unthinkable! This new trend is mixing metals. Not just mixing two metal colors, but mixing all three metal colors: rose, white, and yellow. Mixing metals was once perceived as messy and unrefined, but is now one of the chicest and most exciting ways to accessorize.

CDD2980-1R, a nature-inspired, rose gold, and milgrain adorned band is the perfect start to our example of a modern band stack. Rose gold is at the peak of popularity right now, and the smooth, branch-like design touches the heart of many down-to-earth consumers.

CDD2979-Y  CDD2980-1R

Once your base ring is chosen, the trick is adding mix-matching rings while maintaining a balanced look. An easy solution is adding simpler bands between the more elaborate bands, giving the stack a good mixture of intricacy and elegance. In this case, simpler bands include straight bands that are either plain gold or ones with a single row of diamonds. Therefore, a ring like CDD2979-Y would perfectly balance out the highly-detailed golden-branch band. This smooth golden band, adorned with five triple-diamond rows, still has a unique sparkle but a traditional silhouette, counteracting the flowing and scalloped silhouette of the first band.

Typically, if you are only doing a three-band layered look, you would always place white gold in the center, between the yellow gold and rose gold bands. This creates the ultimate balance between the metals. But since our sample stack utilizes five rings, you can break the rules a bit while still maintaining balance. White gold will still serve as the focal point, just in a more elaborate fashion than the three-row tradition.

The Dramatic Trend: Bold Bands

CCS2544-W  CDD2979-Y  CDD2980-1R

To center our stack, we will feature CCS2544-W, a geometric band adorned with diamonds and princess-cut sapphires. By adding color, we create a bold statement to this stackable band look. Just like placing a white gold band at the center of a three-band stack, a colorful band at the center of a five-band stack becomes a strong epicenter that maintains the balance.

If you plan on designing a stack out of all gemstone bands but want to maintain a refined look, it is best to keep the colors monochromatic or within the same color family. Monochromatic means all the gems are the same hue, just different tones, like wearing different shades of blue. Wearing the same color families means your gemstone colors are similar to each other, like orange with yellow or blue with purple.

Another bold layering choice is adding a ring with a gemstone or diamond head. The trick is using a ring with a head that is high enough that it does not hit or get in the way of the bands above and below it. Also, using a ring with a fairly straight and simple band is preferred so it blends with the other dainty bands. Remember, the power of the stackable band style is stacking dainty bands and rings together. Anything too intricate or large would throw off the look and balance. Even though we are not featuring it in our example stack, LVR712-AM is a good example of a ring that could be a good addition because the head is set high and the band features a simple golden twist.

The Traditional Trend: Consistent Styles

CDD2977-W  CCS2544-W  CDD2979-Y  CDD2980-1R

When people first started mixing bands, another general rule, like the rule of placing white gold in the center, was keeping the band styles consistent. For example, you’d make a straight band stack, a rounded and scalloped band stack, or a sharp-edged geometric stack – never combining the three different styles into a singular stack. This rule guarantees stacks are balanced because every band layers on top of each other evenly. For example, our next band, CDD2977-W, is also a sharp-edged geometric band, just like our sapphire band. Its larger central triangle would beautifully click into the sapphire band’s diamond divet between the gemstones. Also, by layering white gold on white gold, these bands blend into a bright asymmetrical center.

CDD2992-Y  CDD2977-W  CCS2544-W  CDD2979-Y  CDD2980-1R

Following the consistency rule, our last layer to this stack will match up to our white gold triangle ring almost like clockwork. CDD2992-Y is the cherry on top of the cake. This piece was chosen because its kite design will contour the center triangle underneath it. Following the consistency rule, CDD2977-W will be held in place by both the band above and below it.

Alternative Stacking Trends

Now you’ve seen what a harmonious modern stack can look like utilizing fashion jewelry, but stackable bands are also becoming a popular wedding band choice. Brides are buying multiple wedding bands to stack with their engagement rings. Buying bands in every gold color and in different patterns might be pricy, but this trend is a great choice for women who love to match and change-up their looks daily.

CDD2957-T

Another stacking trend is stacked-band illusions. CDD2957-T looks like three bands, but they are fused together at the base. This faux-stacked ring has the benefit of never shifting on your finger, unlike an actual stack of loose bands. Therefore, this ring will always be perfectly balanced. Faux stacking is also popular with necklaces and bracelets, providing the same benefit of not shifting around or getting tangled up as easily.

There are endless combinations of bands and rings. Whether you follow the hot trends, bold trends, traditional trends, or bridal trends depends on your style and how you are feeling each day. You might even consider wearing stacks on multiple fingers for a youthful touch or throwing wide bands into the mix for a striking look. Don’t let yourself feel limited by the rules and simply create a stack as unique as yourself.