Everybody’s Wearing Chunky Rings

It should come as no surprise that American designers are leading the charge. Shay, the Los Angeles-based brand favored by Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lawrence, is known for its bold, brazen gems with art-deco pizzazz – and its chunky cocktail rings are no exception. The brand’s 18-karat gold, emerald and diamond ring features a statuesque setting that both frames and protects its showstopping central stone, adding clout to any outfit. David Yurman’s designs are similarly architectural. Founded by the visionary David and Sybil Yurman in 1980, the New York-based brand still channels the couple’s artistic and sculptural talents today. The result is its ‘Sculpted Cable’ ring, which boasts a fluted form featuring scintillating pavé diamonds that make for serious sparkle. Elsewhere, Anita Ko and Ofira are serving similarly mega styles – it doesn’t come much chunkier than their ‘James’ and ‘Pow’ designs, which should be worn solo for maximum impact.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, independent artisans are championing epic metal-only designs, crafting sleek alternatives to stone-heavy styles. Take London-based brand Bleue Burnham, for example. Founded in 2018, the label is celebrated for its organic take on high luxury and delivers textured metals as a calling card – its ‘Woven Willow’ ring, in particular, offers delicately chiseled sterling silver in spades. Lié Studio’s designs are similarly modern yet minimalist, with its ‘Leah’ ring showcasing a simple, dome-shaped silhouette that would effortlessly complement the curves of Bottega Veneta’s ultra-desirable earrings. By Pariah also offers the best of both worlds, playing with shadow and shine to include metal-only and gem-set rings in its cult three-ring sets – the perfect solution for those who prefer the ring stacking to be done for them.