The way you approach styling your rings will vary depending on where you’re wearing them, your mood, and even your outfit. You want it all to blend. But, the ideal way to do this depends on the piece itself.

Larger, more extravagant rings tend to look best when they can be the centerpiece. For instance, a cocktail-type ring can be worn on the right hand, traditionally on the ring finger. However, wearing yours on your middle or index finger is acceptable. 

These types of pieces are meant to stand out on their own. You’ll want to avoid wearing any other large rings so it doesn’t appear overdone. But you can still choose to wear other jewelry pieces that complement your ring. You might wear a necklace with a pendant of the same stone or a similar style. Or, you could choose statement earrings to tie the two together.

When it comes to smaller rings, you have a bit more flexibility. A popular trend is to stack multiple rings on the same hand or finger. This works best with thinner, more dainty rings. Pair rings of a similar style to create a cohesive look. Or, you could opt for a mix-and-match look as long as each piece generally blends with the other. 

The only point to be wary of when stacking rings is to avoid damaging them. Having the rings rub against each other could lead them to break down, wearing the metal finish off. Ensure your rings do not touch each other, or use ring guards to prevent damage.

Each artist we feature chooses the medium they are inspired to work with. This means you’ll see a mix of gold, silver, and other metals, as well as a variety of gemstones. But the importance of material choice goes further than how a piece looks once it’s finished.

The traditional jewelry supply chain can be haunted by war, exploitation, slave labor, pollution, and deforestation. It’s a complex process spanning dozens of countries. Several of our local artists specifically choose their materials from sources that negate these concerns.

Ethically traced jewelry allows you to see each step of the supply line that a piece has gone through. For example, you can specifically know which mine a gem came from and where it was shaped and polished. Each step in the process is done so that workers have safe work conditions and fair wages. This allows the jewelry to avoid harming the people involved in its production.

Sustainable jewelry is often confused with ethically traced jewelry. While a material might be both, there is a difference. Ethically traced focuses on the effects on the people producing the material, while sustainable jewelry focuses on how it impacts the environment. When these materials are produced, they should not harm the environment.

Recycled jewelry takes materials that have been used for another purpose and uses them to produce beautiful new pieces. This might look like using a piece of broken glass as the centerpiece of a necklace. But, it could be as simple as melting down old jewelry to use the metal. This is a sustainable way to repurpose unused jewelry or pieces that have seen better days.   

You might sometimes hear wearable art called “artwear” or “art to wear.” This is a category of clothing, jewelry, and other accessories that intends for the wearer to use as a vehicle for creative expression. Just as a painting or sculpture has a message the artist is trying to convey, so does wearable art; you just happen to wear it on your body.

These pieces are one of a kind and often hand-crafted, making each one special. Wearable art jewelry is an accessible way for anyone to partake in this unique form of expression, as anyone can wear these pieces. 

Wearable art designers are artists that use jewelry, clothing, or other wearables as their medium of choice. They find inspiration and use metal, cloth, or other materials to create something that speaks to them. Often, these designers work in a specific niche, focusing on a medium, such as jewelry.
These artists have studied and honed their technical skills to create high-quality pieces. But they infuse their passion into each one as well. 

The term “wearable art” wasn’t coined until the 19th century. But the concept dates back to ancient times when humans wore beautiful pieces to express themselves. 
More modern artists, even some you may know from other mediums, also dabbled in wearable art.

This includes: 
Salvador Dalí
Giacomo Balla
Henri Matisse
Frida Kahlo
Andy Warhol