Jewelry

Layering seems to be the trend with clothes fashion this winter, lending itself to the cold weather and the cost of energy. As a jewellery fashion trend though, layering goes from strength to strength.  Harry Styles has embraced the trend and given it new wings.  Loading multiple fingers with numerous rings is a chic way to attain a maximum layering effect. There aren’t any rules as such when it comes to layering. It’s all about going freestyle. But if you are still a little hesitant and need help with curating your look, we can be there to guide you along the way.

So what are stacked rings and how do we wear them? Ring stacking includes layering multiple rings on the same finger and trying different ring styles across multiple digits.  It’s very flexible.

Start with what you have

Look at your existing ring collection before you go shopping.  That way you can fill any gaps and find new rings that complement your existing ones. Don’t just discard those old heirloom pieces. They give a vintage vibe and very much in trend, just pair a statement retro ring up with a dainty modern piece. The combination of new and old creates the best contrast, plus your look will be unique.

Stack up pieces that mean something to you.  Feel free to include your engagement ring and wedding ring or a claddagh ring, if you have them.  If you are divorced, dig those old rings out and get a master jeweller to remake them as a set of stacking rings to suit the new you.  If a piece is engraved or belonged to a family member so much the better, you’ll be creating a look that means something to you.

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

Mix and match

Don’t try too hard. To nail the stacked rings trend, you need to keep your look clean and connected, but not too matchy-matchy. It’s your stack and it should represent you. Stack a simple rose gold ring with a stone studded fashion ring to balance it off or stack different colours of gold: white, yellow and rose and end it with silver. Pick out the colours and styles that you like and enjoy wearing.  This is your chance to wear a few different looks together.  Your look can be dynamic and change a little (or a lot) each day.

Balance your look

Balance is the way to keep the look under control: appealing rather than messy.  Consider wearing an elegant stack of four or five similar, fairly thin rings on your first finger.  In the middle a tall yet simple shape, maybe a barely there midi ring. And then round it off with a short stack of two different-sized rings on your ring finger. That way you can have a near-uniform ring-height across your hand, but the total look isn’t too overwhelming or cluttered.

Add in a surprise

Put rings on different fingers on your right and left hands. For example, choose your index finger and ring finger on your right hand, and your index finger and middle finger on your left hand. Thumb rings and pinky rings will add something different to your look and are very much on trend at the moment.  Try adding a pop of colour or sparkle to the mix with a gemstone ring (semi-precious or paste is fine).  Don’t be afraid to stand out a little!

Lately I’ve been looking to expand my jewellery collection by carefully selecting quality pieces to help me achieve the look I want to portray.  Picking out pieces in the right colours, shapes and styles is key: I want pieces that will work with the clothes I wear and with what I already own. I’m also looking for a high quality product that provides classic, but modern look.  So I was delighted to cast my eyes over Astley Clarke’s gold ring selection.  Astley Clarke is a luxury, established British brand celebrating design and craftsmanship. Their designs are made to be worn, layered, and enjoyed every day.  Creating beautiful, quality jewellery that is both relevant and relaxed is Astley Clarke’s aim.  It’s good to know that so much attention-to-detail goes into every piece of Astley Clarke jewellery.

I picked out one of their gold rings from a wide ranging choice.  My pick of the bunch was a simple, but eye-catching design:a large lapis round stilla ring in yellow gold vermeil. I really love the bold, large blue lapis lazuli gemstone that is at the centre of this design.  Coming set in an 18 carat yellow gold plated sterling silver band, the gold shows off the rich blue against it so well.  It certainly brings a pop of colour to an everyday jewellery look and fits very well with other pieces that I already own.  The lapis stone is a really rich blue tone with a good depth and real intensity: a beautiful, high quality stone.

Claddagh rings are really distinctive with the unmistakable symbol of two hands holding a crowned heart.  A popular Irish symbol that’s been around for centuries, Claddagh rings are distinctively Irish jewelry pieces. They are the ultimate symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship.  The ring is a sign of love and commitment between two people. This ring is often worn by couples who are engaged or married to each other. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart represents true love.  There’s a lot more to the history and meaning of the Claddagh rings as they are steeped in Irish culture.

Styles of Claddagh Ring

While the traditional Claddagh rings were made only of precious metals, modern Claddagh rings are often decorated with bright gemstones. Emeralds, diamonds, peridot, and green gems are all great choices and tip their cap to the Claddagh’s Irish origin as they reflect the colours of the Irish flag.  Obviously the colour green in particular is associated with Ireland: it’s the colour of the landscape, the shamrock and leprechauns.

Green stones work well with a range of different precious metals.  Yellow gold is the traditional metal to use for a Claddagh ring.  There’s certainly  a warmth to yellow and rose gold, but white gold sets off the gemstone very nicely and teams up well with small diamonds, if required.  I love this 14k White Gold Heartshape Emerald And Diamond Claddagh Ring Set.  It’s got the traditional claddagh ring features all picked out in white gold.  The emerald sits very nicely at the heart of the ring.  The claddagh ring lends itself very well to matching wedding and engagement ring sets, as wedding rings can be shaped to fit snugly round the traditional claddagh shape.

There’s no need to stick to white or green stones though.  It would be lovely to give a ring with a stone that was perhaps a birthstone or one that was special to the recipient.  Maybe a sapphire or a ruby would suit better than an emerald. I do like the warmth of a ruby and again the stone works well with a range of different metals. This Claddagh Ring In Gold With Heartshape Ruby And Diamonds would look so good with a range of different outfits and colours.

How to Wear Your Claddagh Ring

If you are single and available, you wear a Claddagh ring on your right hand with the point of the heart facing outwards. This shows that your heart is looking for another.  If your heart belongs to someone, you wear the Claddagh ring on your right hand with the tip of the heart pointing towards you. This shows that your heart has been captured.

It is also possible to use your Claddagh ring as an engagement ring. If you are engaged, wear your ring on your left hand with the heart facing outwards.   The beauty of the Claddagh ring is that it can double as both an engagement ring and a wedding ring. Once you are married, you keep it on your left hand but turn it around so that the heart points inwards.  It’s wonderful to be able to continue wearing your ring no matter what your relationship status.