I first met Charlie back when our eldest kids were in nursery together. She’s one of those friends I just clicked with straight away, we realised we have lots in common and lived a stone’s throw away from each other. Since then we’ve muddled through a similar path of having 3 kids of similar ages, juggling childcare, work and house renovations - and squeezing in as much fun as we can in between!
Charlie’s built up a collection of stacking rings over the last few years, spanning my Square, Hex, Parquet and Triangle collections. She tells her story:
‘Even before I met Jo I’d heard about her amazing jewellery through another jeweller friend Hannah Bedford. When we did meet, at our kids’ nursery, we hit it off straight away and have been firm friends ever since. I’d coveted Jo’s jewellery for YEARS, so as my 40th birthday approached I asked my loved ones to club together and was chuffed to bits when they got me my first Jo ring!
I had never planned to collect stacking rings. I was at the stage of life where I was busy bringing up little kids, juggling work, always renovating the house, never having much time for myself or disposable income for a huge piece of jewellery. So acquiring one ring at a time, and slowly building a stack was - and still is to be honest - the perfect way to build a collection gradually. It feels like a big luxury but something that brings a LOT of happiness! It really does feel like self care.
The stack
My first stacking ring was a single Parquet band in yellow gold. It’s so simple, I love the design, it works brilliantly by itself or alongside other rings. Next came another Parquet band, this time in warm white gold. It interlocks seamlessly into the first Parquet band - it is just SO pleasing! I adore mixing my metals, I love how the warm white looks next to the yellow gold.
Next was the single Hex band in High Palladium. I wanted this specifically because it happens to work really well with my engagement ring, but it also looks great next to the Hex bands, so I guess that’s when my obsession with stacking really began. I would alternate wearing it with my engagement ring, and then as part of my Jo stack.
Next, I added a double Square band in yellow gold to my collection. It’s an understated piece, and I love the simplicity of it. It is also just such a useful ring because it goes with absolutely everything - super versatile. I love wearing it next to my Parquet to show off the lovely pattern created between the zigzag of the Parquet and the flat edge of the Square. It also looks great next to the single Hex band, I love the contrast of the delicate hexes next to the squares, and I did mention loving mixing my metals?!
The last ring I acquired was a Triangle Hex. I love the detail, and the triangle and hex shapes within the design. It works brilliantly by itself but I also love wearing it stacked with my other Jo pieces.
For a long while I would wear my Square and my Hex bands together on one hand, and my Parquets on the other. Now, I mix my stack all the time, wearing rings on different fingers in different combinations. I feel very lucky to have such a magnificent stack!! And yes, I’m concocting a plan to add a delicate Contour band like this to the gang, don’t tell my husband!
Working with Jo
Being close friends with Jo, I suspected it would be a pleasure working with her to create my rings, and it really was. She has a very calm manner, she really helps with lots of sensible suggestions, answers all my (millions of!) questions and is just wonderful to work with.
What do my stacking rings mean to me? Honestly? My Jo rings bring me so much joy. It might sound silly, but they are my most prized possessions. It feels like they feed my soul. Just like seeing a brilliant art exhibition. I spend a lot of time staring at them.
Also, as Jo’s designs are all made in 18ct solid gold, I know that my Jo jewellery will go on forever. It makes me very happy that I’ll be able to pass my Jo jewellery on to my kids one day. Does that make them a sensible investment? I’m gonna say yes!'