Men have always worn jewellery, from chains and bracelets to watches and earrings. Rings, however, have often been limited to a wedding ring, a ‘pinkie’ ring, or a classic signet or sovereign ring. Today, though, all bets are off; the ‘rules’ of men’s jewellery have been ripped up and thrown out, and men are now exploring the world of stackable rings. It’s been a ‘thing’ for women’s jewellery for years, but men’s stackable rings are a relatively new concept.
In this article, we’re going to do an in-depth look at men’s stacking rings, why they’ve suddenly gained popularity, and how to stack your rings with style. We’ll show you how to express yourself with a men’s ring stack that echoes your personality and style. We’ll also let you know what doesn’t work, and how to make sure your stackable rings not only look great, but feel comfortable too.
The men’s ring stacking trend – why is it increasing in popularity?
The main reason men’s stacking rings are becoming so popular is that the idea that it’s a ‘women’s style statement’ has been discounted. Now, men and women can embrace similar styles, so you can express your personality and identity through the jewellery you choose to wear.
There are no hard and fast ‘you must’ or ‘you must not’ rules when it comes to wearing jewellery. Rings, in particular, are very personal items and are traditionally worn for very specific reasons (think wedding bands, school or club rings, or a family heirloom signet ring). Men’s stackable rings have opened new options, allowing men to wear multiple rings as a style statement and to complement more traditional rings, such as a wedding band. So why is ring stacking so popular? The simple answer is, why not?
What is ring stacking?
We’ve used the term ‘ring stacking’ several times so far, but what is it? Put simply, ring stacking is wearing multiple rings at the same time, whether that’s on the same finger (such as an engagement, eternity, and wedding band together) or on different fingers. The intention is to create a layered look. Instead of choosing one standout ring, the stacking style is about combining pieces with different metals, shapes, textures, or stones to build a personalised arrangement.
Why stack?
If you have several rings you love, why limit yourself to only wearing one at a time? You have eight fingers and two thumbs, so there’s plenty of scope for wearing multiple rings whenever you want to. Ring stacking also captures the on-trend fashion of ‘maximalism’ rather than minimalism. Instead of a barely-there band, go all out and embrace the art of wearing jewellery for sheer pleasure and bling.
Multiple rings can also commemorate life milestones such as a graduation, a sporting accomplishment or other memorable events. They can remind you of a journey, or represent the special people in your life. Remember, there are no rules, so if you want to stack, get stacking!
A step-by-step guide to ring stacking for men
Now that you have all the reasons you need to start stacking, let’s take a look at how to do it right.
Firstly, how many rings make a stack? At its bare minimum, two rings worn together could theoretically be called a ‘stack’, but you can wear as many as you want and in any configuration you choose. You do need to think about harmonising your stacks, though, so having multiple rings on one finger may be your personal style, but it can look unbalanced if all of your other fingers are bare.
Size matters
Part of balancing your men’s stackable rings is considering the size of your rings. If you put large, statement rings on one hand and skinny bands on the other, you may create the illusion that one hand is larger than the other! If you have very slim hands and fingers, try to pick rings that harmonise and are not too bulky. If your hands are larger, very slim bands may look lost and misplaced, whereas larger signature rings will look more balanced and feel more comfortable.
The right ring base
Gold, silver, or a mix of both? How about adding in some more modern materials, such as acrylic, silicone bands, or inlay rings? The right ring base can set the tone for your look, so think about the metal’s colour, any stones or inlays, the texture, thickness, and shape of the ring. Men’s stacking rings can be a combination of different elements or restricted to one particular type of colour or metal, depending on your personal preferences.
Bling or bland?
If you have the confidence to go for some serious bling, then feel free to add some diamond rings to your mix. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to choose ostentatious rings with huge, chunky designs – bling can be subtle too, with quality sparklers inset into a simple band to lift it and add character.
Alternatively, if you prefer the laid-back boho look, simple bands with inlays such as wood or even exotic materials such as meteorite or dinosaur bone create a masculine look without any fuss or drama. The choice, as always, is yours.
Working with your other jewellery
Your rings form a part of your overall look, so make sure they work with your other jewellery. If you wear leather, beads and silver bracelets, gold and diamond ring stacks may look out of keeping. Similarly, if you wear a Rolex watch and premium quality chains, silicone bands will create an out-of-character, jarring note to your overall look.
Creating contrast
While we’ve spoken about harmonising and balance when it comes to men’s stacking rings, you can also achieve a unique look by creating contrast. This could come from mixing metals, combining smooth finishes with textured designs, or introducing colour elements through inlay bands, gemstones, or coloured acrylics.
Rather than leaping in and throwing everything together, start with a base ring and build your contrasts around it, discarding any combinations that you feel don’t work well together. Creating men’s ring stacks is an ongoing process, and you may change your preferences from day to day.
Building your look around a signature ring
If you have one particular ring that really captures your personality, you can then build your men’s stackable rings around this signature ring. For example, a real statement ring can be beautifully complemented by adding simple band rings, or those that echo a key element of your statement piece.
Which finger?
If you only wear one ring, it’s pretty easy to choose which finger to wear it on, especially if that ring is a wedding band. But if you want to explore the world of ring stacking, you have ten digits to choose from:
• Pinkie rings – Your little finger is the perfect place for a small yet beautiful ring, whether that’s a signet ring or a simple inlay band.
• Ring finger– Your ring finger on the left hand is traditionally where you’ll be wearing a wedding band, but you can always add an infinity band or even an engagement ring, too. Men’s engagement rings are becoming more popular, as are infinity rings, and if you choose a matching set, they can look incredibly elegant and refined.
• Middle finger – If you want to wear a real statement ring, the middle finger is the one to use. You can then balance this ring with other bands or complementary rings on the other fingers, leaving space to ensure your hand stays comfortable and that your rings don’t clash against one another.
• Index finger – Often the most-ignored digit, the index finger is a great choice for adding a men’s stacking ring to your look. The space between the finger and thumb means a ring feels comfortable all day long.
• Thumb – Thumb rings give off that boho vibe, and are perfect for a chunky statement ring with lots of texture.
Men’s ring stacking styles
The look you achieve will depend on the type of rings you choose.
For the minimalist look, go for plain, thin bands and smooth textures. You can also add more exotic materials into the mix, such as silicone bands in masculine colours, or inlay channel rings made from Damascus steel or stabilised wood.
The boho look primarily focuses on metals like silver and copper, with embellishments like turquoise. Look for engraved tribal patterns or geometric motifs, or go for nature-inspired designs that incorporate waves, mountains, or leaves.
Gemstones and semi-precious stones can form the basis of a ring stack. For example, a striking jet or obsidian statement ring can be balanced with slimmer bands or textured rings. For an opulent look, precious stones such as rubies, sapphires, and, of course, diamond rings can be combined with plain gold bands or rings in which the stones are set into the band.
What to avoid
While we’ve repeatedly stated that there are no rules when it comes to men’s stackable rings, there are a few things to avoid.
• Too many rings on one finger – Putting all your stackable rings on one finger can restrict the movement of that digit, as well as make it feel heavy and uncomfortable.
• Two thick rings together – This can have the same effect as several thinner rings, feeling bulky and looking out of balance.
• Statement rings next to each other – Larger statement rings positioned on adjoining fingers can feel clumsy and bulky, and may not allow the fingers to sit in their neutral position. This can lead to discomfort over time.
• Damaging rings – Wearing lots of rings comes with its own risks, and there is always the possibility of damaging your jewellery through continual rubbing or knocking together. To avoid damage, avoid wearing rings on adjoining fingers, especially if they are bulky or textured. A heavily textured ring will easily scratch a plain band, especially if the band is made from a softer material.
Stacking your rings for different occasions
The most commonly ‘stacked’ rings are worn on the ring finger, and include a wedding band and engagement ring. Today, you can add eternity rings to that collection, which are usually narrow bands in a similar coloured metal to your wedding band and adorned with gemstones.
You can also stack your rings on other occasions, celebrating a birthday by including rings with your birthstone in them, or adding the finishing touch to a themed party with cheap and cheerful rings (for example, if you’re going to a fancy dress party dressed as a biker, chunky skull rings in silver and chain-style bands give off that biker vibe).
How many rings can I stack on each finger?
The number of men’s stackable rings you can wear on each finger will depend on the width of the rings, how comfortable they are, and your own personal style. If the rings get close to the first knuckle, you may find that they become uncomfortable and feel awkward. Wearing statement rings on adjoining fingers may also feel unwieldy and could lead to scratches and damage to the rings. Try to give each ring some space, and limit the men’s stacking rings on the same finger to two pieces to avoid discomfort.
What types of ring metals stack well together?
Rings of the same metal work best together, especially silver and white gold. However, you can mix and match metals to achieve a more personalised look and introduce other metals, such as patterned Damascus steel, to add variety.
Take care of your rings with TH March
For over 130 years, TH March has been taking care of the things that are most precious to you. Our expertise in providing specialist jewellery insurance means you can wear your most treasured possessions, confident that if they’re lost, stolen, or damaged, our ring insurance will help you recoup the cost. We can’t insure your memories, but we can insure your rings, giving you peace of mind should the worst happen.
You can find out more about specialist ring cover on our Ring Insurance page, or contact us directly to speak with one of our team, who will be happy to help you find the protection you need. Call us today.