Why pick one diamond when you can enjoy several? We tend to agree! With a cluster ring, you can enjoy the dazzling sparkle of multiple stones on a single piece of beloved jewelry. With an endless array of designs and gemstones to choose from, there’s a multi-gem fashion ring to suit any style.
What is a Cluster Ring, and Why Are They Popular Again?
A cluster ring is a dazzling ring style that proves that sometimes more is more. These rings feature multiple diamonds or other precious stones that may be arranged in a variety of patterns across the band. Cluster rings first entered the jewelry market during the Georgian Era, between 1714 and 1837, but remained popular for many generations afterward. As a result, you’ll often see stunning examples of these rings in heirloom jewelry.
In recent years, these eye-catching, multi-stone rings have made a resurgence and have been spotted on the fingers of celebrities like Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, and Meghan Markle. These rings shine a modern light on a classic design and can feature intricate detailing, geometric patterns, and often multiple stone colors. With such variety, it’s easy to see why these fashion rings can fit any style and personality.
How Do Cluster Rings Compare to Solitaire Rings?
Often, when you think of rings featuring diamonds or other gemstones, you first think of the classic solitaire. A solitaire ring is a timeless ring choice that is almost universally loved, and for good reason. However, a solitaire can sometimes feel a bit predictable. A multi-stone ring allows you the flexibility to add dimension and character and enjoy a piece that feels uniquely you.
Cluster Rings Offer Greater Sparkle at a Lower Price Tag
For head-turning sparkle and shine, a multi-stone ring gives you a better return on your investment. Multiple facets across many stones ensure that no matter how your ring is angled, you will experience the scintillating sparkle you expect from your gems.
As a bonus, these fashion rings can often allow you to achieve a higher total carat weight at a lower price than a similarly sized solitaire. From just a short distance, these more economical, smaller stones can create the illusion of a single, much larger gem.
Cluster Rings May Require More Care
Multiple stones in a ring means multiple settings and more crevices to clean. The additional settings may also prove more susceptible to damage, as there are more points to snag. Ensure that you keep both cluster rings and solitaires safe by having routine professional cleaning and prompt repair by a trusted jeweler.
What is the Difference Between a Cluster Ring and a Halo Ring?
Multi-stone rings come in many styles and arrangements, one of which is the halo. While all halo rings are a type of cluster ring, not all multi-stone rings are halos. A halo is a circular arrangement of small diamonds, usually encircling a single larger center stone.
The traditional halo sits atop the face of the ring, but an equally stunning modern take is the hidden halo. In a hidden halo, the small diamonds encircle the center stone but are set at the base of the stone with their faces arranged outward. This allows the diamonds to be seen at the side profile of the ring rather than from the top.
What Other Designs Are Available for Multi-Stone Fashion Rings?
There are many other arrangements for multi-stone fashion rings, from delicate designs that imitate nature to bold geometrics. Some rings rely chiefly on the gemstones for the design, while others place almost equal emphasis on intricate metalwork. Some popular styles of multi-stone fashion rings include:
- Pave: A pave ring features many tiny stones set close together, imitating a paved surface.
- Milgrain: A milgrain ring boasts metal beadwork details that give this style an antique feel. This detailing was especially popular during the Art Deco period.
- Floral: A delicate nod to nature, floral rings display gentle twists and curves perfect for showcasing multiple stones.
- Geometric: Geometric rings can be designed in many ways but emphasize straight, bold lines and exude strength.
What Gemstones Are Used for Cluster Rings?
Diamond rings are a perennial favorite in all their forms, but when it comes to cluster rings, including variety in your featured gems can create a stunning and memorable effect. Diamonds are often featured as the primary stone in a ring, but they also make excellent accents for colored gemstones or fancy-colored diamonds.
You may also prefer to include several different gemstones to create a unique birthstone ring to honor loved ones or celebrate milestone events. Gemstones that look stunning in multi-stone fashion rings include:
Are Cluster Rings Suitable as Engagement Rings?
The earliest documented diamond engagement ring appeared in the 1400s as a gift from Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy. This ring, in fact, was a multi-stone ring with several diamonds set into the shape of an “M!”
While you may not want to set diamonds into the shape of your beloved’s initials, the cluster ring is still a striking and relevant choice for brides everywhere. Popular multi-stone engagement ring styles include:
- Halo
- Three-stone
- Five-stone
- Toi et Moi
If you prefer the simplicity of a solitaire for your engagement ring, you can stack a multi-stone ring in the form of a wedding band. Pavé and micro pavé wedding bands add understated sophistication to a wedding set, while bezel settings add modern style.
How to Stack Multi-Stone Fashion Rings
Multi-stone fashion rings are a statement in their own right, but you can up the drama by combining them in a fashionable ring stack. Allow your cluster ring to be the focal point of the stack by adding additional, simpler fashion rings around it. Mixing metals is a way to add interest and make your rings work with different outfits.
Take care not to stack a cluster ring with other gemstone rings that may rub against it. The stones in the two rings could knock against each other and cause damage like chips and scratches.
Multi-stone rings are a timeless way to express your personal style and enjoy the additional sparkle and craftsmanship a cluster ring can provide. Wear it alone or in a stack, but we’re sure you’ll enjoy this beautiful piece of jewelry for life.
