Finger on the Pulse: Rings That Span Multiple Digits Are All the Rage
Dior, Hermès, and Messika recently introduced new versions of the style, which is often seen as an edgy and perhaps subversive alternative to traditional jewels
Rings that span two fingers—often called double finger rings—are riding a popularity wave. Dior, Hermès, and Messika recently introduced new versions of the style, which is often seen as an edgy and perhaps subversive alternative to traditional rings. While they do seem very of the moment, two finger rings have a rich and storied history dating back to ancient civilizations of Egypt and China and, later, Hellenistic Greece. There are several in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that reflect the wide array and appeal of finger-spanning adornment, from a silver, carnelian and turquoise ring attributed to late 19th century Central Asia or Afghanistan to a circa 1895 gold, diamond and emerald design by Marcus and Co. that is quite beautiful and very wearable today.
Styles, symbols, and meanings have evolved over time, yet many designers continue to dabble in the category. For fans, it seems the double finger ring’s staying power is pretty much sealed. Today’s bolder, somewhat knuckle-ring-reminiscent designs, are created by the likes of Rick Owens, Jean Paul Gaultier and Yohji Yamamoto, often in brass or silver. But for those who prefer to wrap their fingers in diamonds and other precious gems, glittering options abound.
Below, discover eleven of our current favorites:
1. So Move Rainbow by Messika
The “So Move Rainbow” ring is one of the inaugural pieces in Messika’s Terres des Instinct high jewelry collection, which will debut on October 3 at Paris Fashion Week. The 18k pink gold wonder is set with a gradient of 24 shades of sapphires and rubies in a process that took over a year to develop. Available exclusively at the brand’s New York City flagship at 727 Madison Avenue.
2. Chaine d’ancre Punk by Hermès
Thanks to Hermès creative director of fine jewelry Pierre Hardy, the brand has created double finger rings for over 20 years and currently offers four on their website. This, the rose gold Chaine d’ancre Punk double ring, is described as a “elongated and shaped like a safety pin… contemporary, rock and roll version of an iconic Hermès jewelry piece.”
3. Avenues Statement by Marli
Marli’s multi-finger Avenues Statement ring design was intended to “capture the city’s energy,” and inspired by “the enthralling city streets that encapsulate the city’s pulsating heartbeat.” It’s all evident in her clever and confident design that mixes diamonds of various shapes and sizes within an abstract grid.
4. Ombre Ring by Paige Novick
Paige Novick has created double finger rings for over a decade, with several styles on offer at any given time. Her latest feature ombre jewels in shades of red, blue, and green set in 14k yellow gold. The red, shown here, features ruby and pink tourmalines; sapphires and diamonds adorn the blue, and the green boasts tsavorites and diamonds. There are also white and black diamond options for the color-phobic.
5. Surf Collection by John Hardy
John Hardy’s ever-evolving Surf collection, which debuted in 2017, now includes a stunner of a two-finger ring. The star is a 15-16mm white South Sea pearl that’s set in 14k yellow gold and framed in white pavé diamonds.
6. Reign Supreme Statement Ring by Yeprem
Beirut-based Yeprem has become a red-carpet favorite for their daring designs, which at last count included over a dozen double-finger creations. The Reign Supreme Statement Ring shown here features 2 carats of emeralds set alongside 3.51 carats of round and marquise diamonds in 18k white gold.
7. Trinity Ring by Cartier
Cartier’s two-finger Trinity ring nods to the over century-old history of the original Trinity: three interlocking bands, each in a different color of gold. But this design takes a walk on the wild side. Each 18k white, rose and gold ring is designed to represent a different animal. The white gold is set with diamonds in a reptile pattern (it purposely slinks along one’s fingers), the rose gold features a tiger’s lacquer “stripes” and the yellow gold is adorned with the spots of a panther. Set amidst hundreds of diamonds, as one does.
8. Wildflower Ring by Lionheart
A 4.64 carat Paraiba tourmaline seeming floats amidst swirls of diamonds in the Wildflower double cocktail ring by Lionheart. The brand, founded by two sisters from Denmark who now live in New York City, blends the minimalism of Scandinavian design with the “vivaciousness” of Gotham. The result is a quietly dramatic design that, as of this writing, was available in two different tourmalines, tanzanite, orange spessartite.
9. Extrait de Camélia Ring by Chanel
Camellia flowers are an age-old emblem of Chanel, used in almost every category the storied Maison creates, most notably jewelry. The Extrait de Camélia transformable ring features three of Madame Chanel’s favorite flowers created in 18k rose gold and set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds. And as the name implies, it can simply be transformed from a double finger ring to a single, by folding the halves together.
10. Starburst Ring by David Yurman
David Yurman’s high jewelry collection features this Starburst ring. It was inspired by a moment shared between David and Sybil Yurman as they “watched fireworks illuminate the Paris night sky,” and glistens with 4.65 total carats of pavé-set sapphires in white gold.
11. My Dior Ring by Dior
The “cannage” or “braided rattan” motif (a geometric pattern made of squares and diagonals) first appeared as decoration in Dior’s 1951 haute couture collection, and remains an emblem of the brand. Victoire de Castellane, the artistic director of Dior Jewelry, drew inspiration from the woven pattern for the new “My Dior” collection. Several pieces prominently feature this emblematic motif, including a choker, cuff, and this 18k white and yellow gold double finger ring.