Last week, I mentioned how I’m loving a more maximalist vibe for my jewelry — not via individual pieces, but rather by way of volume. Think layering. Think stacking. I’ve been especially digging the look of rings on every finger. Not super chunky ones, not super dainty ones. I’m like Goldilocks: they have to be just right. And just right basically means … I know it when I see it.
I took a bunch of pictures of my hands (one of my least photogenic features, lol, but you’re welcome) to help illustrate the idea.
I’ve figured out that ring mixing is very much an art. I’m not even talking about matching metals here. (Personally, I like mixing metals anyway.) There are proportions to consider, and vibes … not to mention sizing. I don’t know if this is true for everyone, but pretty much every finger on each of my hands is a different size. As a general rule, the fingers on my left hand are thinner than the ones on my right hand. On each hand, my pointer finger is bigger (ummm, girth-wise? ewwww) than my middle finger, which is bigger than my ring finger, and so on. That means that pretty much every ring I own can be worn on one specific finger, maybe two. Because I have more rings than fingers — and because I like variety — that means that if I change ONE ring, I more or less gotta change them ALL. [The only exceptions are my engagement ring and trinity band that I wear stacked on my left-hand ring finger pretty much all the time.]
So, even though I have a lot of rings, I’ve been on the hunt for more because I’d like to add pieces to “complete” various combinations. I also want to find a few pinkie rings, because I don’t currently own any.
Now, this isn’t a “can’t live without it” situation, so I’m taking my time. I want to find pieces that not only suit my aesthetic but will also last. That means I’m primarily interested in silver and gold (or gold-filled, vermeil, etc.). I also don’t want to spend a ton of money, which means I’m shopping secondhand for SERIOUS bargains … and, let me tell you, those are rarer these days than you might think. Slow and steady is the way to go.
Most of my current line-up is a mix of thrifted finds, family heirlooms (like my mom’s wedding band), and special pieces that my husband has bought for me over the years. That eclecticism is what I love most about this whole aesthetic. When I look down at my hands, I see memories on every finger. Every ring mix tells its own story. I think that’s pretty cool!
Hello again. I recently reconstructed my old reading list and was happy to find you again. I’d given up fashion/style blogs because they’d become so commercial. But your work is still as interesting and educational and inspirational. You are so appreciated. Thank you.
Welcome back!!
I love your rings. I’m really enjoying wearing more/ multiple rings too. I remember when you got the moissanite band. Are you happy with how it’s holding up? I’m in water all day and worry about how hard I am on jewelry.
Yep, no complaints on the quality. The sizing was a bit off, so it ended up being half a size bigger than I wanted. I added one of those rubber bands to make it fit smaller but that bugs me so I don’t wear it as often as I’d like. I might just take it off and commit to wearing it on a different finger. Sigh.