A stacking ring for your engagement ring: how to pair them

What is a stacking ring?

A stacking ring is a slim ring you wear right next to your engagement ring or wedding ring, on the same finger. Often a plain band or a fine eternity ring with small stones. It's also called a guard ring, which tells you exactly what it was originally for. In German it's a Vorsteckring: the ring you slide on in front.

These days many people call any ring they stack a stacking ring. Here we mean the classic one: the ring that keeps your engagement ring company. Want to stack your whole hand? Read how to stack rings.

Why wear a stacking ring?

• Protection. The band takes the knocks that would otherwise hit your engagement ring.
• In place. A ring with a stone can tilt or spin. A band beside it keeps it straight.
• Sparkle. A row of small stones next to a plain ring, or calm next to a ring full of sparkle.
• A story. Many people add a ring later: at the wedding, an anniversary, a child. Your stack grows with your life.

Which stacking ring suits your engagement ring?

The shape of your engagement ring decides what fits beside it. Four pairings that always work:

Does the stone on your engagement ring sit so low that a straight band bumps into it? Then you get a little gap between the two rings. A wishbone ring solves that: it curves around the stone and sits snugly against it.

Keep your stacking ring the same width as your engagement ring or slimmer. That way your engagement ring keeps the lead role.

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2 mm Curve Band Ring £269.00 3 mm Curve Band Ring £319.00 Essential Cubic Zirconia Eternity Ring £329.00

Same karat, same gold colour

Choose your stacking ring in the same gold as your engagement ring. 18 karat is a deeper yellow than 14 karat: side by side, you'll see that small difference. Not sure what you're wearing? Look at the hallmark inside: 585 is 14 karat, 750 is 18 karat. More on that in 14k vs 18k gold.

Wearing white gold? Our white gold is 14 karat with a fine rhodium layer. With daily wear it slowly softens towards a natural, slightly warmer white. So a new white gold ring next to one you've worn for years can look just a little whiter.

Rings worn together touch. Over time that leaves tiny scratches, especially next to a ring with stones. That's part of it: they're the marks of rings you actually wear.

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Wishbone Ring £229.00 Cubic Zirconia Wishbone Ring £299.00 1 mm Slim Curve Band Ring £199.00

Which size should you choose?

Choose the same size as your engagement ring. A slim band sits perfectly beside it. Not sure of your size? In how to measure ring size you'll find six ways and a size chart.

Watch out as your stack gets wider. Two or three rings together on one finger feel like one wide ring, and with wide rings many customers go one size up. Buying your whole stack at once? Try it at home first with rings you already have.

Doesn't it fit after all? Within the EU, you can exchange it for another size free of charge within 30 days. In the UK, the US and Canada, you send it back yourself.

Gold Stacking Rings Real 14 or 18 karat gold, in sizes 48 to 62. Shop Gold Stacking Rings