How To Master A Stylish Ringscape

Rings are often the most revealing of jewels: always in view, rich with meaning, and easily mixed and matched in an endless matrix. A ringscape, when deftly styled, becomes its own art gallery played out across eight fingers, and even a thumb or two, for those who dare. It may feel daunting to select a capsule wardrobe of cohesive pieces all in one go, but planning a ringscape is less about prescriptive rules and more about understanding the scale, proportion and rhythm of pieces that will come together to form your perfect composition.

If you’re starting from scratch, look to tastemakers first. A-listers are lucky to have personal stylists to source eclectic pieces that effortlessly chime, but it’s easy to copy their cheat codes. Rihanna, for example, is the doyenne of chunky, unapologetic cocktail rings, sassy cigar rings and signet styles; while Taylor Swift is renowned for her curiosity-cabinet approach of pairing various vintage designs in all shapes, colors and sizes. Take note – awards season is now in full swing, so keep a close eye on red-carpet ringscapes.

Industry insiders can also offer plenty of inspiration. Archana Thani, trend forecaster for Only Natural Diamonds, is a pro at choosing striking, hero-piece rings to be worn in stacks of twos or threes; while jewelry and watch collector Misha Daud often sticks to a single, one-and-done design on each hand. It’s safe to say that your overall sense of style will certainly spill over into your ringscape aesthetic. If you’re a maximalist, like jewelry content creator Ashley Davis, you might choose to peg your theme to an elaborate manicure. Meanwhile, Beth Hutchens, founder of cult New York-based brand Foundrae, rarely leaves a finger unadorned, but focuses on the symbolism and storytelling behind each piece instead.

It’s also crucial to look at your hands. And we mean really look at them. Part of the beauty of our hands is that they have their own architecture, with natural peaks, curves and idiosyncrasies that our rings should always complement. Consider everything from knuckle size to tattoos – the right pieces will complement the unique parts of you. Use delicate diamond-set designs to add light and sparkle to your look, or express your love of color through knockout pieces like Pomellato’s 18-karat rose-gold ‘Iconica’ ring. Just be sure to balance it with slimmer stacking rings; more than one oversized design and your jewels will feel cumbersome and impractical for everyday wear. Spinelli Kilcollin’s ready-made ring stacks offer a versatile solution – the stack can be worn all on one finger or spread across the hand.

It’s also important to be mindful of height. One hero ring that sits proud and high on the finger, such as Jacquie Aiche’s pink tourmaline cocktail ring, will be best complemented by delicate diamond bands that don’t fight or scratch at the same altitude, while stacking styles by Suzanne Kalan and Shay will work best when contrasted with deeper designs. Try to get a feel whether you prefer substantial pieces or low-lying designs. A flat signet ring, such as L’Atelier Nawbar’s ‘The Fragments’ style, will sit flush atop the fingers, and Yvonne Léon’s ‘Nano Chevalière Berlingot’ ring will satisfy those who prefer voluminous styles that sit on a higher plane. It helps to understand the scale of your fingers, too. Irene Neuwirth’s epic ‘Gemmy Gem’ aquamarine ring may dwarf ultra-slender digits, but drama can be delivered by a petite yet punchy pinky ring instead, such as Yvonne Léon’s ‘Poire’ sapphire-set design.

Color is where you can let personality play out in full. Yellow, white and rose gold can co-exist happily, but keep stones neutral – cohesion is the cornerstone to a great ringscape. Equally, if you’re keen to experiment with colored gems, stick to one metal tone across both hands and choose jewels within a similar palette. Gemstones, too, benefit from restraint. Finally, make it personal. Engravings, inherited family stones or a ring bought to commemorate a milestone are the pieces that will add emotional charge and ensure the end result feels unmistakably ‘you’.