Stackable Wedding Lab-Grown Diamond Rings: Layer Your Love Story

Author: Alex K., CMO at Labrilliante Updated: 2025-11-23 Reading Time: 18 minutes

Not every couple benefits from the stackable approach, and traditional wedding sets offer legitimate advantages that deserve honest consideration. Pre-designed matched sets guarantee visual unity without requiring design expertise—the jeweler has already solved proportion relationships, metal compatibility, and aesthetic balance. For couples who feel overwhelmed by endless customization options or lack confidence in their design judgment, this eliminates decision paralysis. You buy once. It's done. No ongoing planning required.

The resale argument also holds weight in specific scenarios. While most wedding jewelry becomes sentimental heirlooms, life circumstances sometimes necessitate selling rings—divorce, financial emergencies, estate liquidation. Matched sets from established luxury brands (Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston) retain secondary market value better than assembled collections, particularly when mined diamonds still dominate resale markets. A $15,000 branded set might recover $5,000-7,000. An equivalent stackable collection built for $5,000 using lab-grown diamonds might recover only $800-1,200 due to rapid production cost decreases and lower brand recognition.

Here's the reality: stackable collections optimize for couples prioritizing long-term wear, personal meaning, and financial efficiency over potential resale. If you're building heirloom jewelry documenting your specific relationship—not purchasing investment assets—the flexibility, affordability, and storytelling capacity of lab-grown stackable rings outweighs the security of matched sets. Different priorities. Different solutions. Most couples planning lifetime wear find the stackable approach transforms jewelry from static purchase into living chronicle.

Stackable wedding rings let you add bands as your relationship grows—each piece marking anniversaries, births, or renewals. Unlike static wedding sets, this modular approach creates a living chronicle. One ring for your wedding. Another for your first home. A third when your child arrives.

The concept evolved from Victorian "keeper rings" that protected engagement rings. Modern stacking prioritizes storytelling over function. Most couples start with an engagement ring and wedding band, then add pavé eternity bands, channel-set anniversary rings, or bezel-set milestone pieces every few years.

Direct manufacturer pricing makes this incremental approach financially viable. When you eliminate retail markup, couples can afford multiple additions without strain. Quality pieces become accessible. This creates higher lifetime value—clients return for additions rather than making single purchases.

The trade-off? Pre-designed sets guarantee visual harmony but limit expression. Organic accumulation risks mismatched proportions if band widths or metal colors clash. Successful stackers balance planning—establishing metal preferences (white gold, rose gold, yellow gold, or mixed metal) and setting styles—with room for evolution as taste matures.

[Placeholder Table: Stackable Rings vs. Traditional Wedding Sets: Complete Comparison - Helps couples understand which approach matches their lifestyle, budget, and personalization needs across 8 key decision factors]

Memory preservation through jewelry requires intentional symbolism. Effective personalized stackable rings incorporate specific details—engraved dates, birthstones representing family members, or design motifs referencing shared experiences. These transform generic bands into emotional artifacts.

Material culture theory explains why physical objects anchor memories more powerfully than digital records. A tenth-anniversary ring carries layered associations: the gifting moment, the relationship journey it represents, accumulated daily wear. This sentimental value compounds over time.

[Placeholder Image: Five-Ring Stack Showing Progressive Personalization - Demonstrates how engraving, birthstones, and metal choices create visual narrative from engagement through 10-year anniversary]

Customization workflows allow microscopic details invisible to casual observation but meaningful to wearers. Wedding venues engraved inside bands. Coordinates marking proposal locations. Such personalization remains economically viable only through direct manufacturing relationships—retail intermediaries typically lack both technical capabilities and margin structure for highly specific requests.

Design considerations include visual narrative progression through graduated band widths. Start with narrow 1.5mm foundation bands. Progress to substantial 4mm statement pieces. Color progression through mixed metals—platinum engagement ring, white gold bands in early years, rose gold representing warmer life phases—builds storytelling beyond mere accumulation.

Relationship evolution manifests through jewelry that adapts. Wedding bands designed for growth incorporate modular principles: nesting rings conforming to engagement ring contours, contoured bands allowing seamless additions, versatile wear options enabling reconfiguration. Think of it like software's modular programming.

A well-designed stackable system allows wearing the engagement ring alone for minimalist aesthetics. Pair it with a single band for traditional presentation. Or assemble the complete five-ring stack for maximalist impact. This versatility addresses the reality that personal style fluctuates across decades.

Precision CAD design enables manufacturing tolerances of ±0.1mm. Seamless integration between rings purchased years apart becomes possible. Traditional retail channels sourcing from multiple manufacturers struggle with consistent fit. Mixed sources often require professional adjustment to eliminate gaps.

[Placeholder Image: Contoured vs. Straight Band Cross-Section Diagram - Shows how each design option affects stacking flexibility and fit against engagement ring profile]

Band width variety constitutes critical architecture. Foundation bands typically measure 1.8-2.0mm establishing base proportions. Subsequent additions span 1.5-3.5mm depending on desired visual weight. Anniversary bands often incorporate slightly increased width—2.5-3.0mm—to differentiate milestone pieces within the stack.

The contoured versus straight band decision impacts expansion potential significantly. Contoured stackable bands custom-fitted to engagement ring profiles create elegant nested compositions but limit flexibility if you later replace the engagement ring. Straight bands offer universal compatibility, allowing rearrangement and pairing with future pieces. This trade-off between immediate perfection and long-term adaptability requires consideration.

Narrative jewelry transforms abstract milestones into tangible visual metaphors. Anniversary stackable rings function as three-dimensional storytelling when designed with intentional symbolic progression. Not merely accumulated decorative objects. Curated chapters with distinct meanings.

Effective storytelling requires establishing coherent visual language before adding the first anniversary piece. Some couples adopt color symbolism—rose gold for romantic milestones, white gold for stability achievements, yellow gold for joyful celebrations. Others employ gemstone progression: diamond bands initially, then sapphire for loyalty at five years, emerald for growth at ten years.

Couples articulating specific storytelling frameworks before beginning collections demonstrate higher satisfaction and greater likelihood of adding subsequent pieces. This underscores the importance of initial consultation establishing long-term vision rather than treating each anniversary as isolated transaction.

[Placeholder Mini Case: The Martinez Collection: 12-Year Stack Documentation - Shows how one couple built seven-ring collection from $1,200 engagement ring to $6,800 total value, with specific timeline, cost breakdown, and symbolism for each addition]

Build-over-time concepts require reverse-engineering from an envisioned final composition. If the ultimate goal envisions a seven-ring stack, foundation pieces must accommodate future additions through appropriate spacing, proportional width relationships, and compatible setting styles. Early purchases become anchors constraining later options.

Ring wardrobe building follows principles similar to developing professional business wardrobes. Foundational pieces in versatile styles—straight eternity bands in neutral metals—combine endlessly. Statement pieces—gemstone accents, unusual textures—add personality in controlled doses. Minimalist aesthetics might involve three to four refined bands. Maximalist stacking embraces seven to nine pieces mixing metals, widths, and textures.

Lab-grown diamonds eliminate environmental devastation and human rights complications associated with mining operations. They offer identical optical, physical, and chemical properties to mined diamonds. No ethical complications. Same brilliance, hardness, and fire.

The terminology distinction matters. Lab-grown diamonds (also called lab-created or cultured diamonds) are genuine diamonds. Compositionally identical to mined stones. They differ fundamentally from diamond simulants like cubic zirconia or moissanite, which possess different chemical structures. Federal Trade Commission guidelines recognize lab-grown diamonds as real diamonds, requiring only disclosure of their origin.

[Placeholder Table: Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Diamond Simulants: Material Property Comparison - Eliminates confusion between genuine lab diamonds and imitation stones through measurable scientific specifications]

Vertically integrated supply chains enable complete transparency regarding every production stage. Unlike retailers sourcing through opaque multi-tiered distribution networks, direct manufacturers can demonstrate production facilities, growth technology processes, and quality control protocols. This radical transparency builds the trust conscious consumption demands, particularly among millennial and Gen Z demographics who research extensively before purchasing.

Sustainable luxury represents philosophical evolution beyond mere absence of harm toward positive impact. Lab-grown diamond production consumes significantly less water, generates no landscape disruption, and produces quantifiable carbon emissions. Some manufacturers power growth facilities with renewable energy. These measurable sustainability advantages appeal to couples seeking guilt-free luxury—products offering aesthetic excellence without environmental costs.

Conflict-free certification for mined diamonds relies on the Kimberley Process, established in 2003 to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering legitimate trade. Despite good intentions, the system suffers from documented enforcement gaps. Limited scope excludes human rights abuses beyond direct conflict financing. Verification challenges in complex international supply chains complicate matters further.

Lab-grown diamonds bypass these complications entirely. Diamonds originate in controlled facilities using carbon sources and trace elements sourced from transparent industrial supply chains. No mining operations. No artisanal diggers in hazardous conditions. No potential for production funding armed conflicts. This represents conflict-free luxury in absolute terms.

[Placeholder Infographic: Environmental Impact Comparison: Lab-Grown vs. Mined Diamond Production - Visualizes water consumption, land disruption, carbon emissions, and energy requirements per carat through comparative icons and measurements]

Carbon-neutral lab-grown diamond wedding bands require additional steps beyond standard production. Some manufacturers measure full lifecycle emissions—raw material extraction, energy consumption during growth, processing, distribution—then purchase verified carbon offsets. Others invest in renewable energy infrastructure to power growth reactors directly with solar or wind generation.

Sound complex? Here's what matters: The eco-friendly and economical framing creates a false dichotomy. Lab-grown diamonds simultaneously offer environmental advantages and dramatic cost savings. The 70-90% price differential compared to mined stones stems from efficient production economics rather than quality compromises. This convergence of ethical and economic benefits drives rapid market adoption.

Recycled metal options for band construction complete the sustainable luxury equation. White gold bands, rose gold stackable rings, and yellow gold bands can incorporate post-consumer gold refined from jewelry, industrial sources, or electronic waste. Some manufacturers offer documented recycled content percentages. Platinum, being significantly rarer, less frequently sources from recycled streams, though specialty suppliers offer certified recycled platinum at modest premiums.

Direct comparison reveals practical performance parity alongside significant economic and ethical divergence. Both categories achieve identical Mohs hardness (10), exhibit the same refractive index (2.417), and display visually indistinguishable appearance when comparing specimens of equivalent 4C quality. Put them side by side. Most jewelers can't tell the difference without specialized equipment.

The resale value question frequently arises. Mined diamonds historically retained 30-50% of purchase price in secondary markets, though this figure reflects retail markup recovery rather than inherent value appreciation. Most diamonds depreciate immediately upon purchase. Lab-grown diamonds currently command lower secondary market prices due to abundant supply and ongoing production cost decreases. For stackable wedding bands intended for lifetime wear rather than eventual resale, this distinction carries minimal practical significance.

[Placeholder Table: Lab-Grown vs. Mined Diamond Stackable Wedding Rings: Complete Decision Matrix - Provides objective comparison across purchase price, lifetime costs, performance, and ethics to inform purchasing decisions]

Cost per carat differentials constitute the most dramatic comparison point. Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 60-80% less than comparable mined stones across all quality tiers. For stackable wedding ring sets incorporating multiple pavé bands with 20-40 small diamonds totaling 2-3 carats, this translates to thousands of dollars in savings.

[Placeholder Expert Quote: IGI Gemologist on Lab vs. Mined Diamond Detection - Provides authoritative validation that visual distinction requires specialized equipment, supporting equivalence claims]

Comparative testing measures no performance differences between equivalent-grade lab-grown and mined diamonds in stackable band applications. Durability testing simulating years of wear shows identical results. Chemical exposure assessments using common household products reveal no distinctions. Long-term appearance monitoring confirms sustained brilliance. The only reliable distinction requires specialized equipment detecting growth patterns.

Quality comparison eliminates the historical assumption that lab-grown diamonds represent inferior alternatives. Modern production achieves D-E-F colorless grades routinely. VS-VVS clarity grades are common. Some growth processes actually facilitate higher quality outcomes than mining odds. Why? Controlled environments avoid many natural inclusions.

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) replicates diamond formation through carbon plasma deposition on diamond seed crystals. The process begins with small diamond seed plates placed in a vacuum chamber. Carbon-rich gases (typically methane) and hydrogen fill the chamber. Microwave energy ionizes the gases, creating plasma that breaks molecular bonds. Carbon atoms separate and deposit layer-by-layer onto the seed crystal, building pure diamond structure atom by atom over several weeks.

CVD growth occurs at lower pressure and temperature—typically below 1000°C at less than one atmosphere pressure. This controlled environment produces Type IIa diamonds, the purest diamond type with virtually no nitrogen impurities. These represent less than 2% of mined diamonds but constitute the majority of CVD production. Growth rate averages 0.1-0.3mm per day. A one-carat round brilliant requires approximately three to four weeks.

[Placeholder Image: CVD Diamond Growth Process: Vacuum Chamber Cross-Section - Illustrates seed crystal placement, gas ionization zone, carbon deposition layers, and microwave energy application with technical labels]

HPHT growth mimics natural formation environments where diamonds crystallize deep in Earth's mantle. Large mechanical presses generate extreme pressure—5-6 gigapascals, equivalent to approximately 50,000 atmospheres—and temperature of 1300-1600°C. The growth cell contains carbon source material, metal catalysts (typically iron, nickel, or cobalt), and diamond seed crystals. Under these conditions, carbon dissolves in molten metal catalyst and precipitates onto the seed crystal as diamond.

The crucial distinction? HPHT growth—the crystal-forming stage creating diamond from non-diamond carbon—versus HPHT treatment—a post-growth enhancement applied to already-formed diamonds. HPHT treatment may be applied to CVD diamonds to remove brown coloration or enhance color. This represents subsequent modification rather than creation method. Disclosure requirements mandate revealing any post-growth treatments.

[Placeholder Table: CVD vs. HPHT Diamond Production: Technical Specifications and Optimal Applications - Helps B2B buyers select appropriate growth method for specific stackable ring requirements]

Dual manufacturing capabilities enable selection of optimal method for specific applications. CVD excels for creating larger, colorless stones ideal for center stones or larger stackable bands. HPHT produces excellent smaller melee diamonds commonly used in pavé settings and channel-set diamonds. This flexibility optimizes quality and economics for each specific stackable wedding ring requirement.

Quality distinctions between CVD and HPHT diamonds manifest primarily in trace element profiles rather than visible appearance. CVD stones typically show minimal nitrogen. HPHT diamonds contain small nitrogen concentrations unless specifically engineered otherwise. Advanced gemological equipment detects these signatures. But they produce no visible differences or durability impacts.

Price transparency remains rare in traditional jewelry retail, where markup structures averaging 200-400% on mined diamonds create information asymmetry favoring sellers. Lab-grown diamonds fundamentally disrupt this model. Production economics enable dramatically lower prices while maintaining quality parity. Direct manufacturer relationships eliminate intermediary margins.

The 70-90% savings range reflects multiple variables: diamond quality specifications (colorless D-E-F grades and VS+ clarity command premiums over near-colorless G-J grades and SI clarity), metal choice (platinum costs approximately three times white gold per gram), design complexity (intricate pavé settings require more labor than channel-set or bezel-set designs), and total diamond content (full eternity bands incorporate twice the stones of half-eternity styles).

[Placeholder Infographic: Price Breakdown: Direct Manufacturer vs. Traditional Retail Markup Chain - Visualizes how $1,000 direct-purchase stackable band becomes $3,600 through distributor→wholesaler→retailer margins with dollar amounts at each stage]

Direct manufacturer pricing eliminates three to four intermediary markups typical in traditional supply chains. A stackable diamond band passing from manufacturer to distributor to wholesaler to retailer accumulates 40-60% margin at each stage. Direct relationships mean clients pay manufacturing cost plus single margin rather than compounded markups.

Budget-friendly stacking strategies maximize aesthetic impact per dollar through strategic allocation. Couples often prioritize larger, higher-quality diamonds in engagement rings where center stones draw focus. Then select smaller melee diamonds in stackable bands where individual stone characteristics matter less than overall sparkle effect. This tiered approach might pair a 1.5-carat VS1 engagement stone with pavé wedding bands featuring 0.01-0.015 carat VS2-SI1 diamonds.

Band width variety enables incremental investment aligned with budget constraints. Starting with a simple 2mm channel-set diamond band priced at $400-800 establishes the foundation. Anniversary additions might include 3mm pavé eternity bands at $1,200-2,000 or narrow 1.5mm spacer bands at $300-500. This phased approach distributes costs across years rather than requiring large upfront expenditure.

[Placeholder Table: Stackable Wedding Ring Budget Planning: 5-Year Investment Timeline - Shows realistic accumulation strategy from $1,500 starter set to $5,500 seven-ring collection with specific band types and pricing]

The accessible luxury positioning reflects value-driven purchasing philosophy. Lab-grown diamond stackable wedding rings deliver the visual impact, durability, and certification of traditional diamond jewelry while freeing financial resources for competing priorities. Wedding costs, housing down payments, student loans—couples balance multiple financial goals.

Direct cost breakdowns illuminate pricing structure. A typical white gold band with 0.35 total carat weight in pavé-set VS clarity round brilliant cut lab-grown diamonds includes approximately $280 in diamond material costs, $180 in precious metal, $240 in labor and overhead, and $300-400 in margin—totaling $1,000-1,100 retail. An equivalent mined diamond version might include $1,400 in diamond costs alone, plus $600 distributor margins, $700 wholesaler margins, and $900 retail margins—totaling $3,600-4,000.

Personalization transforms generic jewelry into meaningful artifacts reflecting individual style and relationship narrative. Custom stackable lab-grown diamond wedding ring design encompasses aesthetic customization—metal choices, diamond specifications, setting styles, engraving—and functional adaptation like contoured bands matching engagement ring profiles or comfort-fit band construction.

The design process begins with establishing overall vision before addressing individual band specifications. Successful customization requires answering foundational questions. Minimalist or maximalist aesthetic? Uniform or varied band widths? Single metal or mixed metal stacking? Traditional or contemporary styling? These decisions create frameworks ensuring individual pieces coordinate.

[Placeholder Image: CAD Design Evolution: From 3D Model to Finished Seven-Ring Stack - Shows progression from digital wireframe, to photorealistic render, to actual manufactured rings on hand, demonstrating precision design capabilities]

Precision CAD design capabilities enable virtual prototyping where clients visualize complete stacks through photorealistic 3D renderings before manufacturing begins. This technology proves particularly valuable for contoured stackable bands requiring exact geometric matching to engagement ring dimensions. Digital modeling eliminates guesswork and costly remakes common when jewelers work from hand measurements. Iterative refinement continues until clients achieve envisioned results.

Mix-and-match customization operates within design principles balancing cohesion and variety. Successful mixed metal stacking typically involves intentional patterns—alternating rose and white gold, gradating from yellow through rose to white, or anchoring with platinum engagement ring and matching bands while introducing gold accents. Random metal mixing often produces chaotic appearance unless carefully proportioned.

Setting style selection impacts both aesthetic and practical performance. Pavé settings maximize sparkle through numerous small diamonds set closely together with minimal visible metal. But they require more frequent maintenance. Channel-set diamonds protect stones within metal tracks, offering superior durability for active lifestyles at the cost of slightly reduced brilliance. Bezel-set stackable designs encircle each diamond completely, providing maximum security and contemporary aesthetic.

[Placeholder Table: Setting Style Comparison for Stackable Bands: Performance vs. Aesthetic Trade-offs - Helps couples select optimal setting type based on lifestyle needs and visual preferences]

Metal selection extends beyond aesthetic preference to functional considerations. White gold bands require periodic rhodium plating to maintain bright white finish. Platinum develops patina finish that some prefer for vintage character while others dislike, though polishing restores original luster. Rose gold stackable rings maintain color permanently through copper alloying but may cause sensitivities in individuals with metal allergies.

Bespoke stackable diamond ring collection development incorporates lifecycle planning—anticipating how the stack will evolve over five to ten years. This includes leaving space for future additions, selecting foundation pieces with neutral styling that accommodates varied future choices, and documenting exact specifications enabling perfect matching when adding bands years later.

Strategic collection building requires intentional planning balancing immediate satisfaction with long-term vision. Unlike purchasing complete sets upfront, the incremental approach demands initial decisions that accommodate future expansion. Start smart. Build gradually. Create something meaningful.

Foundation selection establishes architectural constraints for all subsequent additions. The engagement ring—typically the first piece and often the most visually prominent—sets proportional reference points for band widths, metal colors, and overall aesthetic direction. A delicate 1.5mm engagement ring band suggests similarly refined stackable additions. A substantial 4mm band anchors bolder compositions.

Phased approach to wedding ring stack development typically follows milestone patterns. Engagement ring. Wedding band added at marriage. First anniversary band one year later. Significant anniversary eternity bands at five or ten years. Commemorative bands for major life events. This organic accumulation spans years or decades, creating authentic relationship narratives.

[Placeholder Image: Three Stack Evolution Examples: Minimalist, Balanced, and Maximalist Aesthetics - Shows three hands displaying 3-ring, 5-ring, and 8-ring stacks respectively, illustrating different collection-building philosophies]

Lifetime customer relationship strategies include maintaining individual design profiles documenting every purchased piece with exact specifications, CAD files, and metallurgical details. When clients return for additions after years, reference original designs ensuring seamless integration. This continuity proves impossible through traditional retail channels where staff turnover or brand discontinuations sever connections to past purchases.

Ring wardrobe building timeline recommendations vary with personal priorities and budgets. Minimalist collectors might target three to five bands total across ten years. Maximalist approaches embrace seven to nine pieces or more. Neither approach surpasses the other objectively—effectiveness depends on alignment with personal aesthetic sensibilities.

Budget-friendly stackable ring building plans distribute costs strategically. One approach involves purchasing quality foundation pieces initially, then adding less expensive accent bands—thin spacers, textured bands without diamonds—that provide visual impact at lower cost. Another strategy reverses this, starting modestly and upgrading core pieces later while retaining sentimental first bands.

Versatile wear options emerge from thoughtful collection architecture. Well-designed stacks allow wearing the engagement ring solo for minimalist professional settings. Pair it with the wedding band for traditional presentation. Add anniversary bands for special occasions. Or assemble the complete stack for maximum impact. This adaptability increases practical value.

[Placeholder Mini Case: The Chen Build-Over-Time Strategy: $8,200 Collection Built Across 8 Years - Documents specific timeline, individual band specifications, total cost comparison vs. equivalent upfront purchase, and satisfaction metrics demonstrating strategic collection building]

The build-small-build-big philosophy encourages starting collections earlier rather than waiting until budgets allow complete purchases. A couple beginning with $1,000 engagement ring and $500 wedding band at age 25, then adding $500-800 bands every few years, accumulates substantial collections by age 35 totaling $5,000-7,000 in jewelry. More than they could have afforded initially. Costs spread across earning increases.

Stack styling guide principles help integrate additions cohesively. Common successful formulas include symmetrical approaches where the engagement ring centers the composition with balanced bands flanking each side. Asymmetrical designs weight visual mass toward one direction for contemporary edge. Uniform stacks where similar bands create continuous coverage. Experimentation reveals personal preferences.

Everyday luxury wear philosophy encourages designing stacks durable enough for constant wear rather than precious jewelry reserved for special occasions. This practical orientation influences design choices—favoring channel-set diamonds over delicate pavé for active lifestyles, selecting comfortable band widths avoiding finger pinching, maintaining proper fit allowing daily wear without removal.

The stackable wedding ring phenomenon reflects broader cultural shifts toward personalization, values-driven consumption, and rejection of one-size-fits-all traditions. Lab-grown diamonds enable this evolution by removing financial barriers that previously restricted such customization to wealthy consumers. As manufacturing technology continues advancing and consumer awareness grows, stackable collections will likely become the dominant paradigm—jewelry that grows with relationships rather than freezing a single moment in permanent form.

Stackable collections give you what static wedding sets cannot: flexibility to spread costs across years, freedom to document specific milestones with personalized symbolism, and versatility to wear different combinations as mood and occasion demand. Lab-grown diamonds make this financially accessible—you'll invest 70-90% less than mined equivalents while getting identical performance, certification, and brilliance. Direct manufacturing eliminates markup layers, enabling customization like engraved coordinates, birthstone accents, and contoured fitting that traditional retail channels can't economically provide. You're not just buying rings. You're architecting a wearable relationship narrative.

Book a free consultation with Labrilliante's design specialists to establish your stackable collection architecture. We'll document your aesthetic vision, create CAD renderings of your complete stack, and manufacture foundation pieces with precision tolerances ensuring seamless additions years later. Start with quality engagement and wedding bands today. Build your collection as your relationship grows. Every piece crafted with conflict-free lab-grown diamonds and backed by lifetime service guarantees. Your love story deserves jewelry that evolves with it.