High Fidelity: Stylish Couples are Investing in Bridal Stacks

October 6, 2022

By Rachael Taylor

9 min read

A bridal stack is a true jewellery tradition, with an engagement ring followed by a wedding band and topped off with an eternity ring. Usually, these commitment rings are added slowly over many years, but some brides are racing ahead with pre-created stacks inspired by fashion that offer individual flair, perfect form and lifelong versatility.

Jewellery designer Grace Lee is the queen of bridal stacks, specialising in low-profile engagement rings made for company. Her Instagram page is a source of endless inspiration for contemporary brides. In one post, a sizeable emerald-cut engagement ring is stacked with a gold band accented with mixed-cut diamonds that appear to float around the main rock, as well as her Double Helix ring that loops twice around the finger before stretching out to wrap around the middle digit too.

Grace Lee one-of-a-kind gold ring set with a 0.96ct rose-cut cushion-shaped diamond, stacked with a Grace Lee 14 carat gold Demi Demi ring set with oval, marquise and pear-shaped diamonds

Grace Lee one-of-a-kind gold ring set with a 0.96ct rose-cut cushion-shaped diamond, stacked with a Grace Lee 14 carat gold Demi Demi ring set with oval, marquise and pear-shaped diamonds

You could say that Lee, who has a store in California’s Venice Beach, has a fluid approach to bridal designs and she certainly never shies from a contemporary stack. However, even she was in awe of one client request. “I once had a couple order seven different wedding bands to stack with the engagement ring,” remembers Lee. “The best part of the story is when the groom-to-be said, ‘that’s all?”

Model wearing Chaumet 18k white gold and brilliant-cut diamond Joséphine Aigrette bracelet and  platinum, 1ct cushion-cut diamond Joséphine Éclat Floral ring

Model wearing Chaumet 18k white gold and brilliant-cut diamond Joséphine Aigrette bracelet and platinum, 1ct cushion-cut diamond Joséphine Éclat Floral ring

 Model wearing Chaumet platinum and 1ct cushion-cut diamond Joséphine Éclat Floral ring

Model wearing Chaumet platinum and 1ct cushion-cut diamond Joséphine Éclat Floral ring

 De Beers platinum Dewdrop Crown ring set with 0.35 carats of diamonds worn with a Classic engagement ring with a round brilliant diamond

De Beers platinum Dewdrop Crown ring set with 0.35 carats of diamonds worn with a Classic engagement ring with a round brilliant diamond

 De Beers platinum Enchanted Lotus crown ring set with 0.35 carats of diamonds worn with a My First De Beers engagement ring with 0.2ct solitaire and 0.1ct diamond halo

De Beers platinum Enchanted Lotus crown ring set with 0.35 carats of diamonds worn with a My First De Beers engagement ring with 0.2ct solitaire and 0.1ct diamond halo

A great choice for alternative brides

As jewellers will tell you, bridal stacks are not so much of a trend as an alternative to traditional wedding ring sets. “It’s a specific alternative bride that wants something different and very versatile; two to three rings as the band, or an engagement ring that doesn’t feature the classic one-stone look,” says jewellery designer Judith Peterhoff, who offers a variety of textured gold bands accented with diamonds that are designed to be stacked together.

Judith Peterhoff 14k yellow gold Orno Three Stone commitment ring with Padparadscha pink sapphire and diamonds and 9k yellow gold Orno wide commitment band with 0.46ct champagne and white diamonds

Judith Peterhoff 14k yellow gold Orno Three Stone commitment ring with Padparadscha pink sapphire and diamonds and 9k yellow gold Orno wide commitment band with 0.46ct champagne and white diamonds

 Model wearing Judith Peterhoff 18k yellow gold and diamond Orno slim diamond wedding band with a 18k yellow gold Orno slim wedding band

Model wearing Judith Peterhoff 18k yellow gold and diamond Orno slim diamond wedding band with a 18k yellow gold Orno slim wedding band

 Judith Peterhoff 18k yellow gold Orno extra-wide statement ring set with a 0.5ct old-cut diamond

Judith Peterhoff 18k yellow gold Orno extra-wide statement ring set with a 0.5ct old-cut diamond

 Judith Peterhoff 18k yellow gold and diamond Orno slim diamond wedding band with a 18k yellow gold Orno slim wedding band

Judith Peterhoff 18k yellow gold and diamond Orno slim diamond wedding band with a 18k yellow gold Orno slim wedding band

  Judith Peterhoff 9k yellow gold and diamond Vitium ring

Judith Peterhoff 9k yellow gold and diamond Vitium ring

One of my favourite commissions was making a stack from unworn family heirlooms, she continues. We went through her inherited pieces that she no longer wore but which had an emotional connection and story, making three bands to wear together as a wedding ring stack that she’ll cherish forever and can add to as well.

Ensuring a perfect fit

Making the decision to purchase a stack all at once can have its benefits, should budget allow. “Buying three rings at once, rather than one at a time, can mean a more cohesive look, or a more adventurous stack,” advises Rachel Boston, a jewellery designer who specialises in luxurious commitment rings. “You can try on different combinations, see how the designs interact with one another, and you might find yourself drawn to something you hadn’t considered before, which you might miss if just adding one ring at a time.”

Rachel Boston 18k gold and diamond bespoke engagement ring with two 18k yellow gold Circulum bands set with 0.38ct of diamonds

Rachel Boston 18k gold and diamond bespoke engagement ring with two 18k yellow gold Circulum bands set with 0.38ct of diamonds

 Rachel Boston 18k gold, sapphire and diamond bespoke engagement ring

Rachel Boston 18k gold, sapphire and diamond bespoke engagement ring

 Rachel Boston 18k gold and kite-shaped diamond ring bespoke engagement ring

Rachel Boston 18k gold and kite-shaped diamond ring bespoke engagement ring

 Rachel Boston 18k yellow gold and diamond one-of-a-kind Cupid ring

Rachel Boston 18k yellow gold and diamond one-of-a-kind Cupid ring

 Rachel Boston 18k gold and diamond bespoke engagement ring

Rachel Boston 18k gold and diamond bespoke engagement ring

 Rachel Boston 18k yellow gold Ara ring set with a 1ct white diamond

Rachel Boston 18k yellow gold Ara ring set with a 1ct white diamond

 Rachel Boston diamond engagement ring

Rachel Boston diamond engagement ring

Another reason to consider a bridal stack is versatility. “You can switch things up and just wear one, two, or all three together,” says Boston. “An eternity ring, for example, is a great travel ring: if you are nervous about going on holiday with your engagement ring, an eternity band can work as a placeholder alongside your wedding band.”

Vrai 18k yellow gold and lab-grown diamond Hidden Halo engagement ring, Classic Princess engagement ring, Baguette Bar Band ring and Infinity Band Round wedding ring

Vrai 18k yellow gold and lab-grown diamond Hidden Halo engagement ring, Classic Princess engagement ring, Baguette Bar Band ring and Infinity Band Round wedding ring

Party jacket or eternity band?

The classic eternity band – a ring set with a loop of diamonds, traditionally bought to mark a special anniversary or birth of a child – is not the only choice when considering a third commitment ring. Increasingly, brides are looking for an addition to their bridal stack that will bring a little more fun and excitement for party wear. This has made bold ring jackets or decorative nesting bands a popular choice.

Andrew Geoghegan 18k gold and diamond Asteria diamond engagement ring with Asteria wedding band

Andrew Geoghegan 18k gold and diamond Asteria diamond engagement ring with Asteria wedding band

 A stack of 14k yellow gold Ruth Tomlinson rings set with champagne and white diamonds

A stack of 14k yellow gold Ruth Tomlinson rings set with champagne and white diamonds

 A stack of 14k yellow gold Ruth Tomlinson rings, with one ring set with a 0.5ct emerald and two diamonds

A stack of 14k yellow gold Ruth Tomlinson rings, with one ring set with a 0.5ct emerald and two diamonds

 Ruth Tomlinson 14k yellow gold ring stack set with white, grey and champagne diamonds

Ruth Tomlinson 14k yellow gold ring stack set with white, grey and champagne diamonds

 Almasika 18k yellow gold and diamond Universum Ring with Centre Diamond

Almasika 18k yellow gold and diamond Universum Ring with Centre Diamond

  Almasika 18k rose gold and diamond Stacked Berceau Huit ring

Almasika 18k rose gold and diamond Stacked Berceau Huit ring

 Almasika 18k yellow gold and diamons Berceau Huit ring

Almasika 18k yellow gold and diamons Berceau Huit ring

New York by-appointment jeweller Serpentine Jewels created its Transformers collection of customised ring jackets, often set with bright coloured gemstones, to cater to this demand. These single rings create the impression of a stack and are the perfect way to transform an engagement ring into a cocktail ring at a moment’s notice.

Serpentine Jewels engagement ring and ring jacket set with diamonds and emeralds

Serpentine Jewels engagement ring and ring jacket set with diamonds and emeralds

While these rings can be custom designed to pep up long-cherished engagement rings, Serpentine Jewels founder Ali Galgano is now seeing couples buying jackets and engagement rings at the same time.

77 Diamonds 18k yellow gold and diamond Florence Trilogy engagement ring with 18k yellow gold and diamond Half Vogue Claw ring

77 Diamonds 18k yellow gold and diamond Florence Trilogy engagement ring with 18k yellow gold and diamond Half Vogue Claw ring

 77 Diamonds bespoke diamond Sunflower ring, stacked with a band set with marquise-cut emeralds

77 Diamonds bespoke diamond Sunflower ring, stacked with a band set with marquise-cut emeralds

 77 Diamonds 18k white gold and diamond Isabella Halo ring, Regent Emerald ring, II Sole Mini ring and Tea Petite bracelet

77 Diamonds 18k white gold and diamond Isabella Halo ring, Regent Emerald ring, II Sole Mini ring and Tea Petite bracelet

 77 Diamonds sapphire and diamond ring with wedding band

77 Diamonds sapphire and diamond ring with wedding band

 77 Diamonds 18k yellow gold and diamond Lola Vintage engagement ring with Lola Designer Set eternity ring

77 Diamonds 18k yellow gold and diamond Lola Vintage engagement ring with Lola Designer Set eternity ring

A proposal with a difference

“We designed a ring and ring jacket for a recent client’s engagement,” Galgano shares. “His fiancé is very fashionable, and while he wanted to give her something unique, he also wanted it to be versatile. So, we designed a classic, emerald-cut ring with tapered baguettes, as well as an Art Deco-inspired Transformer to go with it. He first proposed with the engagement ring and then, right after he popped the question, followed up her ‘yes’ with a ring jacket that turned it into something truly next level. A surprise on top of a surprise.”

Suzanne Kalan 18k white gold Classic Diamond Shimmer eternity band set with 1.16cts of baguette-cut diamonds, and Ivy eternity band

Suzanne Kalan 18k white gold Classic Diamond Shimmer eternity band set with 1.16cts of baguette-cut diamonds, and Ivy eternity band

Collecting and curating special pieces of jewellery over time, as was tradition with the original trio of engagement ring, wedding band and eternity ring, can be a rewarding way of marking life’s milestones. However, sometimes you just know who you are and what you want; and with the added benefits of getting rings that sit beautifully together, create a stylish point of difference and give you instant versatility, it is easy to see why brides-to-be are choosing to stack up.

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