How to Stack Rings

Co-authored by Jessica Lanyadoo and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: February 21, 2023 References

Are you looking to show off your ring collection with the perfect stacking arrangement? No problem! With a few simple tips, you can put together a fun, glamorous look while experimenting with style, color, and ring pairings. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide to stacking rings, from picking a wide assortment to creating a balanced set on each hand.

1

Start with a statement ring.

Build your stack around a bold centerpiece and give it room to breathe. While there's no single type of statement ring, they're generally defined as bigger or more noticeable rings that make a fashion statement or show status. Pick a statement ring and be careful not to crowd it with other rings; let it shine on whichever finger you place it, and stack multiple rings on other fingers.^{[1]
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- Typical examples of statement rings include engagement rings, family heirlooms, or cocktail rings with an oversized gem in the center.

2

Incorporate midi rings into your stack.

Midi rings are small and add balance by resting higher on your finger. Also known as knuckle rings, they typically sit just above the knuckle and bring a delicate elegance to your stacked rings. The best spot for a midi ring is usually your middle finger, but they can also double as pinky rings if you want to wear them normally (and not high up as designed).^{[2]
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- To maintain the balance of your ring stacks—and avoid weighing your hands down with too much bling—aim to wear a maximum of 2 midi rings per hand.
- Pair midi rings with a thicker statement ring worn at the base of the same finger. Alternatively, you could wear a small stack of thin-banded rings at the base of your finger and then wear a midi ring higher up.

3

Add an eternity ring.

Eternity rings bring some eye-catching sparkle to your hand. An eternity ring is a metal band with continual gemstones representing eternal love.^{[3]
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Research source} Pick a few rings for your collection, as their iconic look makes them perfect for building an elegant arrangement of rings. Don't be afraid to stack a few on one finger, as they're delicate enough to use more than once (unlike bigger statement rings).
- Eternity rings can exist by themselves on one finger, or you can further accentuate that finger by stacking 2 or 3 eternity rings at the base and then wearing a thin midi ring higher up.
- Though some eternity rings are expensive, diamond-studded engagement rings, you can also easily find cubic zirconia and other affordable gemstone eternity rings in many different colors.

4

Wear several stacking rings.

Stacking rings are thin, simpler bands that look great in groups. Choose several stacking rings for your collection, including plain metal bands and slightly more embellished twisted, beaded, or hammered bands. You can place them on either side of an eternity band, spread them out with one each on smaller fingers (like a pinky or thumb), or arrange several on top of one another on a single finger.^{[4]
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- For best visual effect, arrange a few plain stacking around one or two textured rings.

5

Mix and match different metals.

Create a dynamic look by pairing differently-colored rings on a hand. Don't be afraid to pair up gold, silver, and rose gold metals on the same hand or finger. This is a great way to make your hand more eye-catching and interesting while balancing the different rings you might own. Play around and try a few different configurations until you find one you like.^{[5]
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- If you own two silver slim stacking rings and a single rose gold one, for example, try arranging them all together on a finger with the rose gold in the middle to create a bolder look.
- Steer clear of putting all like-colored rings on one hand and an entirely different metal on the other. For example, if you put all the silver rings on one hand and gold rings on the other, your hands would look unbalanced.

6

Use rings with neutral stones.

Prevent color clashes by wearing mainly neutral-toned stones. There's nothing wrong with stacking multiple rings with stones, but too many different colors can look quite chaotic! Ensure your ring collection has several neutral-toned pieces (including white, black, grey, cream, and beige). That way, the rings will never clash, no matter how many you stack.
- Add pops of color if they all match one another. There's no rule saying colorful rings are unusable. Either pick one statement ring with color and pair it with neutral rings or use several colored rings that are all the same shade.^{[6]
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7

Imagine your hand as a triangle to balance the rings.

Focus on your middle finger, stacking rings from heavy to light. A good way to develop a sense of balance while stacking rings is to arrange them in an imaginary triangular shape. The far ends of the triangle (your outer fingers) should have fewer rings, while the center of the triangle (your middle finger) can be stacked high with a thick, bold band at the base of the finger and delicate midi rings at the top.^{[7]
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- Another way to create balance is to picture your hand as an uneven triangle. Place the thickest bands at one end of your hand and thin bands at the other, creating an imaginary diagonal downward slope.

8

Wear a range of styles and shapes.

Create visual balance with a variety of rings rather than uniform ones. Between statement rings, stacking rings, eternity rings, midi rings, and more, go ahead and use a little of everything! Take a chance and combine different themed jewelry, too, from vintage and art-deco rings to minimalist and modern designs. Try out different rings on different fingers and find a few configurations you like.^{[8]
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9

Stack rings on both hands.

Rings on both hands create more balance, so you don't look lopsided. When you stack rings, ensure you have enough to put a few on each hand. A large number of rings on one hand and zero on the other can result in a jarring and unbalanced effect, whereas a similar (moderate) number of rings looks harmonized—no matter how many different styles and metals you incorporate!^{[9]
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10

Keep one finger empty.

Stacking four fingers at a time ensures the rings don't get overwhelming. The only danger of stacking rings is that you can easily go from creating a dynamic arrangement to crowding your fingers with so many pieces that it's hard to know where to look first! The easiest way to prevent this is by leaving at least one finger on each hand empty as you stack.^{[10]
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- Some people choose to leave either their thumb or pinky bare, but ultimately the choice is up to you. As with other steps, don't be afraid to experiment with different arrangements before picking one.

11

Leave your wrists bare.

With so many rings on your hands, steer clear of overloading on jewelry. When you go to the trouble of stacking rings, you want them to shine, right? To that end, allow your rings to be the star of the show by saving bracelets for another day. If you have to wear a bracelet, go for something thin and delicate, so it doesn't compete with the rings.^{[11]
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- Similarly, steer clear of flashy nail art on days that you stack your rings. Painted nails are wonderful if they compliment the color scheme of the rings, but complex or bejeweled nail art is best saved for later.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you stack engagement rings?

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.

Tami Claytor

Etiquette Coach

Expert Answer

Traditionally, you don't put additional rings on your ring finger when you're engaged or married, but there is a trend of wearing multiple rings on fingers. In that case, put the engagement ring closest to the web of your hand and then stack the other rings on top of it. Still, in most cases, women want the engagement ring to be the center of attention, so they wouldn't add any rings to it.