If you have a bunch of bangles and bracelets and you want to find some new ways to wear them, The Jewelers Circle (TJC) stylists have put together some stacks to show you how to get the most out of your jewelry.
Stacking is one of the ways that you can wear bracelets to really personalize your look and make it your own. There are no rules and there is no right or wrong way to stack your bracelets, there’s just your way. You may have a bracelet or bangle that you wear regularly, but you want to spice it up, maybe you want to elevate your denim, or create an unexpected stack that takes your bohemian style to the next level. Whether you’re heading out for a day at the office, a dressy party, or a casual event, a stack of bracelets is always stylish.
The Era Stack
One of the easiest ways to stack bracelets is to choose pieces from the same era. The Art Deco years were particularly good for bracelets as sleeveless dresses took center stage leaving a lovely expanse of exposed arm waiting to be decorated. During that era, bracelets were made specifically for stacking, so you’ll find some that are quite long, especially because they were often worn over elbow length gloves. For this stack, TJC stylists used three Art Deco era bracelets. We started with a wide all diamond plaque bracelet and then added narrower diamond and sapphire bracelets on each side. While it’s a dressy look, you can still wear it with denim, a crisp white shirt and kitten heels, or sneakerinas, when you head out for a dinner date.
The Diamond Stack
We wanted to change the vibe of the bracelet stack, so we switched out the wide center bracelet for a classic diamond bangle. The diamond bangle sits between the diamond and sapphire bracelets, which while still dressy becomes a little bit more playful, making it right for work, or a time when you want to be dressed up, but not too formal. Once small change makes a big difference.
The Classic Stack
If you have a bracelet or bangle that you wear often, you can change it up by adding more bracelets. For this stack we chose a vintage nephrite jade bangle from the 1970s with a gold wire accent. We sandwiched the bangle between two ruby bracelets creating an easy to wear everyday look. This same stack can be recreated using gold bangles, or diamond bangles, both of which will shift the mood of the stack. Combine the jade bangle with gold bangles for timeless elegance, or add drama with the high contrast of diamond bracelets. If you don’t have a pair of bracelets to use for this look, pair it with one other bracelet and add to it when you find the right piece.
The Mismatched Stack
For this stack we kept the Jade bangle and added an oversized antique diamond and gold bangle and an antique blackened silver, gold and chrysoberyl bracelet. To create balance for this stack we placed the chrysoberyl bracelet on top and the diamond and gold bangle on the bottom as it is the largest piece and it is rigid so it will hold the other pieces in place. While this stack is mismatched, the one commonality between these pieces is the yellow gold, which is why the jewels all work together, even though the styles and eras are different. Also, the chrysoberyl gems have a soft neutral hue that blends beautifully with other jewelry.
The Maximalist Stack
For the maximalist fashionista, stacking is a totally chic way of wearing more jewelry. Adding in the unexpected to a mix of bangles is what really makes it yours. For this stack the TJC stylists kept the 1970s jade bangle and antique chrysoberyl bracelet, adding in a 1950s coral and gold charm bracelet for a bit of whimsy. It’s on the bottom of the stack so that the charms swing freely adding motion to the mix and again, it’s the yellow gold that pulls the pieces together even though they are all from different time periods. The trick here is to add in a totally unexpected, attention grabbing piece that makes the stack look totally different.
When you stack bracelets anything goes, it’s your chance to express your own personal style. While there are no hard and fast rules, there are a couple of pointers to keep in mind when you’re building your stack. You can always start with two bracelets and add in another one when you find the right piece. A stack will be cohesive if you have one element in common such as the same color gemstones, yellow gold or platinum, allowing you to easily mix and match styles from different eras. The main point is to have fun, experiment with your bracelets and consider adding those neglected pieces in the back of your jewelry box to your mix, it might just be exactly what you need to create your best bracelet stack.
Top of Page: (left to right) Antique Chrysoberyl and silver topped gold bracelet; nephrite jade and 18-karat gold bangle, with GIA Report, circa 1970s; antique diamond and gold bracelet.
Art Deco diamond, sapphire and platinum bracelet, circa 1925, Art Deco diamond and platinum bracelet, circa 1930, Art Deco diamond, sapphire and platinum bracelet, signed Tiffany & Co.; Art Deco diamond, sapphire and platinum bracelet, circa 1925, Diamond and platinum bangle, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, France, circa 1920s, Art Deco diamond, sapphire and platinum bracelet, signed Tiffany & Co.; Nephrite jade and 18-karat gold bangle, with GIA Report, circa 1970s, ruby and platinum bangles, signed Van Cleef & Arpels, France; Antique diamond and gold bracelet, Nephrite jade and 18-karat gold bangle, with GIA Report, circa 1970s,Antique Chrysoberyl and silver topped gold bracelet; Antique Chrysoberyl and silver topped gold bracelet, Nephrite jade and 18-karat gold bangle, with GIA Report, circa 1970s, Coral, ruby, diamond and 18-karat gold charm bracelet, circa 1950s.
Authored by Amber Michelle