Gone are the days of wearing a simple wedding band all by its lonesome on your ring finger. Today, it’s about mastering the art of the stack. This layering trend, where you mix and match engagement rings, wedding bands, and more, actually dates back to our grandmother’s era, but in the last few years, stacking rings has suddenly roared back in to fashion. For those unsure of how to navigate the stacking style without overdoing it—there’s definitely a fine line—we turned to one of our favorite Manhattan jewelers and engagement-ring-experts, Stephanie Gottlieb of Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry, for her expert advice on the trend.
Why do you think stacking has become such a trend as of late?
“I think that women are becoming more hands-on in their engagement ring/wedding band purchases, and they’re thinking about how they will style their engagement ring once they’ve gotten married. A lot of my female clients are purchasing their own stack bands to wear next to their engagement rings, rather than waiting for their spouses to buy the bands for them. I’m all about the self-purchase, so I’m loving this movement!”
What is a ring enhancer and how do I style it?
“Ring enhancers are uniquely designed curved rings that are often worn as a bridal accessory to one’s solitaire diamond engagement ring. They are custom designed to wrap around the dimensions of a solitary stone ring, often an engagement ring, but have also been used to accompany a number of other gemstones, such as the ever-popular sapphire. When a ring enhancer is slipped on, it enhances the size and appearance of the solitaire diamond and gives the hand a multi-stone look. It’s perfect for a bride wanting extra dazzle or a versatile look to her engagement ring. You can purchase an individual curved band (which would be worn as your wedding band), or two to flank each side of the engagement ring.”
Explain the difference between ring enhancers and ring guards?
“Ring guards are two separate bands and the engagement ring slides into place between the two sides. These designs were super popular in the 80s, and allow for a stacked look that protects the engagement ring and enhances the overall design. In the past, a woman wouldn’t wear a ring guard without her engagement ring, so it was a bit limiting as it was only worn as a full set. But now with so many ‘open space’ ring designs trending, the guard actually functions as a unique piece that can be worn on its own, too.”
For those interested in trying the trend, Gottlieb has just launched a hybrid ring guard and ring enhancer design. “I made it a three-piece-set because it allows for versatility,” she explains. “The center piece can be worn alone, the three pieces can be worn together, or the two outer pieces can be worn on the sides of an engagement ring.” The best part? “It works with all engagement ring styles.”
