How to Wear a Knuckle Ring

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 11, 2023

Knuckle rings, sometimes referred to as tea rings, are making a resurgence among contemporary trendsetters. Knuckle rings are different than standard rings because instead of wearing the ring low on your finger, you wear it above your finger's middle joint. Wearing a knuckle ring can enhance your style, give you a sense of class, and draw attention to a good manicure. ^{[1]
X
Research source} If you use the right styles and select the ring that's right for you, wearing a knuckle ring can be the extra accessory that you've been searching for.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Wearing Your Rings in Style

1
Keep the rings a similar color. Decide which colors you want on each hand and try to stick to the same colored metals. Wearing the same color on one hand, will help keep your rings cohesive and will prevent them from visually clashing with one another. For instance, you could wear all gold rings on your left hand and all gold rings on your right hand.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Keep rose gold with the golds and platinum with the silvers when wearing rings.
2
Combine different textures. Different textured rings will allow you to show off your creativity and will make your rings appear more unique. Mixing up your knuckle rings with different kinds of rings, such as ones with gemstones, can help improve the look of your rings together.
- Try different types of materials for your rings such as solid metal, leather, chain, beads, and jewels.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Experiment with rings that have the traditional band as well as rings that have different forms.
Advertisement
3
Wear your knuckle ring on one finger. The simplest way to wear your knuckle ring is to keep your rings to a single finger per hand. You can put your ring on the middle finger, and you don't need to remove other rings. Put your ring on your middle, index finger, or ring finger above your middle knuckle to see how it looks.
4
Use a triangle configuration for your knuckle rings. Rings on your middle, index, and ring finger with your knuckle ring on your middle finger will give you a triangle configuration on your hand. You can also create a triangle configuration by having three knuckle rings on your index, middle, and ring finger with a regular ring on your middle finger. Doing this brings attention to your knuckle ring and helps balance the look of your rings.
5
Stack your rings. Ring stacking occurs when you have multiple rings on one finger. Try stacking different rings to see if you can create a unique and pleasing style. Use traditional rings that rest lower on your fingers in unison with knuckle rings that lay above them.
6
Try wearing your rings however you want. Feeling the most comfortable with your knuckle rings means wearing them however you want. Experiment with your regular rings and your knuckle rings in unison and determine a style that meets your personality. If you are artistic or eccentric, wearing more rings may be better for you.
- Some rings are asymmetric so flipping the ring over on your finger will give a ring a different look.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing a Knuckle Ring

1
Select the right sized ring. Your knuckle ring size will be the same as your traditional ring size. To determine your ring size, measure the circumference of your finger with measuring tape and compare it to a ring sizing chart. For instance, a 19.1 mm finger circumference would equate to a size 60 ring. A knuckle ring should fit comfortably on your pinky and should snugly fit on the phalanx of your middle finger. You can also get your ring size measured at most jewelry stores free of charge.
- If you feel like the ring is slipping off you need a smaller ring size.
- If the ring is cutting off the circulation to your fingertip, you should purchase a ring that has a larger ring size.
- Don't force a ring on because it may become stuck.
2
Select a ring within your budget. Cheaper knuckle rings can range from $12 to $16.^{[4]
X
Research source} More expensive rings can be hundreds to thousands of dollars per ring. Determine how much you are going to wear your ring, how much money you have to spend, and how important the ring is to you. Choose a ring that you can afford and pay up front. Knuckle rings should enhance your existing jewelry and style, not replace it.
3
Choose a ring that matches your style. Choose a ring that will enhance your current style. Determine whether you like to wear loud clothes that make a statement or whether you're more subdued and enjoy earth tones. If you like to make a statement, make sure that your rings also make a statement and are unique and colorful. If you don't enjoy the limelight, choose rings that are fashionable but not in your face. Choose rings that match your natural aesthetic and don't select rings that will clash with your style.
- If you consider yourself eccentric or artistic, wearing multiple rings may fit your personality.
- If you are quiet and subdued, having multiple rings may bring you unwanted attention.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Putting on The Knuckle Ring

1
Stay relaxed and feel comfortable. Knuckle rings should feel as secure as your other rings. Make sure that you feel comfortable and that your rings aren't interfering with work that you have to do. Knuckle rings should fit snugly around your finger and shouldn't slip off when using your hands.
- If you have to do manual labor or are participating in physical activity, you should take off your jewelry.
2
Decide which hand you want to wear your ring. Some ring positions have a social significance. For instance, in the U.S. wearing a ring on the ring finger of your left hand signifies that you are married. For someone who practices the Eastern Orthodox religion, however, this is switched to the right hand.^{[5]
X
Research source} Take these social standards into consideration when deciding which hand or hands you want to wear your ring.
3
Slide on your knuckle ring. When wearing a mixture of traditional and knuckle rings, you'll need to put on your regular rings first because they will be lower on your fingers. Slide your knuckle ring on and do not force it over your middle knuckle. Your knuckle ring should rest in between the middle and top joints in your finger. Make a fist and open your hand to make sure that the ring is comfortable.