Because your ear party says it all before you do, let these female founders guide you through the art of stacking
Creating the perfect earring stack is like building a personal manifesto, which is why much effort is put into curating it. We asked the founders of Sofia Yulo Fine Jewelry (SYFJ), EIRIN Jewelry, Penny Pairs, and Suki Jewelry for tips on creating stylish stacks, mixing metals and styles, and their dream combinations. What we uncovered wasn’t just a collection of shiny pieces from their brands, but a rare and deeper expression of each woman’s individuality. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, here’s a peek at what they built to inspire your next curation.
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Sofia Yulo Fine Jewelry
Sofia Yulo, a fresh voice in the local fine jewelry scene, is all about the intentional pushing of boundaries. For her, the ideal earring stack is less about the rules and more about the excitement it brings to the wearer. “I love experimenting with different arrangements. There’s something about an intentionally mismatched and uneven stack that feels stylish and fun,” she detailed.
Her approach is a blend of art and instinct. She mixes bold statement pieces with delicate accents—something the playfulness and freedom of her current collection allow her and the brand’s patrons to do.
In mixing metals, textures, and styles, Sofia has one tip: find balance in variety and harmony. “Keep some elements consistent, like a recurring gemstone or shape, while mixing contrasting textures and metals. Repeating a color or texture can also help tie everything together,” she shared.
“The fact that they elevate an outfit is a bonus, but the real beauty lies in the stories they tell and the connections they represent as these pieces last forever.”
– Founder of SYFJ Sofia Yulo on the beauty of generational keepsakes
Following four familial generations in the jewelry industry, Sofia is big on storytelling. “Whether it’s a piece to mark a milestone in her career or a timeless addition to her collection, the SYFJ woman chooses jewelry that holds meaning, lasts forever, and reflects her journey,” the designer shared.
EIRIN Jewelry
An ideal stack for Pearl Tan is much like a personal signature. As the force behind EIRIN Jewelry, a source of classic fine jewelry pieces, she shares, “A ‘dream stack’ is all about balance and individuality. It’s a blend of pieces that complement each other while reflecting your personal style.”
Pearl shares the basics for curating a good stack, like starting with a statement piece and then working around it with daintier styles, textures, and colors. A standout insight, though, is the respect for negative space. “Leave some areas of the ear bare to avoid a cluttered look,” she shared. “A clean, minimalist stack with the right balance of adorned and unadorned space enhances elegance.”
But, as with everything, curate with intention. She advises having a good understanding of which color metal looks good on you, and what pieces would be in harmony when juxtaposed in a stack.
“Our jewelry is designed for modern, confident individuals who appreciate a touch of understated luxury. They’re creatives, visionaries, and tastemakers.”
– Founder of EIRIN Jewelry Pearl Tan on designing for the modern-day woman
Penny Pairs
For Camille Jimenez-Sandico, founder of local jewelry brand Penny Pairs, a dream stack is personal. “My dream stack is the few earrings that I reach for over and over again,” she shared. “They’re almost like ‘comfort’ earrings at this point—without them on, I feel like something’s missing.”
Camille believes balance is key when crafting the perfect stack, matching earring details with different other factors, whether it be your hairstyle for the day or the event you’re headed to. As for mixing metals, Camille says to do it with intention—contrasting textures or similar styles for a cohesive look.
Curating a stack increases in difficulty the more piercings you have, so she recommends starting with the basics. “Start with foundational pieces like simple hoops on the lobe piercing, then gradually layer down in size,” she explained. “I think ear stacks look best when the pieces are balanced from largest to smallest.”
“At the end of the day, a good ear stack is one that is truly an expression of you, even if that means breaking all the rules.”
– Founder of Penny Pairs Camille Jimenez-Sandico on creating your perfect stack
Penny Pairs, a go-to for wearable costume jewelry, is all about pieces that look as good as they feel. Together with her team, she designs for the modern woman who’s constantly on the go, whether climbing the career ladder or managing life at home. “Jewelry should be one less thing they have to worry about,” Camille said.
Suki Jewelry
Founder of Suki Jewelry Shar Cabigas views ear stacking as an art form, a fusion of personal style and ear anatomy. “When exploring piercings, it’s best to consider your ear shape, ensuring your curated ear is not just cohesive but comfortable,” she shared, adding a refreshing blend of practicality into her approach.
The founder prefers mixing different shades of gold—white, yellow, and rose—rather than wearing varied metals together. Moreover, she tackles matching the stack to one’s mood or occasion. “For a minimalist look, try dainty gold earrings. For something festive, wear statement earrings on the main lobe and diamond-threaded studs for the rest of your piercings,” she recommends.
“Your dream ear stack should reflect your style, personality, and story. There are no rules in curating an ear stack. The possibilities are endless!”
– Suki Jewelry Founder Shar Cabigas on what makes a dream earring stack
Shar suggests making a bold statement on the main lobe with pieces from the Futura or La Bomba collection, then balancing it with huggies or subtle studs for the upper lobes and cartilage. “The best everyday earrings aren’t the center point of an outfit, but are the ones that help tie an entire look together,” she shared.
Photos: CAMILLE JIMENEZ-SANDICO, SHAR CABIGAS, SOFIA YULO, PEARL TAN (via Instagram), PENNY PAIRS, SUKI JEWELRY, SOFIA YULO FINE JEWELRY, and EIRIN JEWELRY (via website)
