If the 1960s were all about keeping things cool and minimal, the 1970s said “hold my disco ball” and went absolutely wild with engagement rings. We’re talking bigger, bolder, and way more “out there” than anything Mom and Dad would’ve worn. Yellow gold made a comeback, diamonds got creative with their shapes, and suddenly everyone wanted a ring that actually made a statement instead of politely whispering from their finger.
Yellow Gold’s Groovy Comeback
Remember how platinum and white gold were the thing in the ’60s? Well, the ’70s threw all that out the window. Yellow gold came roaring back like it had something to prove, and honestly? It kind of did. About 75% of engagement rings sold during the decade were decked out in that warm, buttery gold that perfectly matched the era’s obsession with earth tones and harvest gold kitchen appliances.
When Isabel Preysler got engaged to Julio Iglesias in 1977, her chunky yellow gold solitaire was basically the poster child for this trend. Celebrities were all about that golden glow, and regular folks followed suit. Rose gold even popped up here and there, sometimes mixed right into the same ring with yellow gold because why choose one when you can have both? By the end of the decade, yellow gold was so synonymous with engagement rings that jewelry historians basically consider it the defining feature of ’70s bling.
Bands Got Creative (Finally)
Plain metal bands? So 1960s. The ’70s were all about bands with personality. We’re talking twisted rope patterns, braided gold, random copper accents, silver inlays—basically, if you could think it up, some jeweler was willing to try it. Couples started choosing unique wedding bands with textured surfaces, engravings, or tiny gemstones that complemented their engagement rings without looking like identical twins.
This was huge because it meant moving away from those matchy-matchy sets your parents probably had. Bands got wider, more sculptural, sometimes asymmetrical with this cool mix of shiny and matte finishes. Even men’s rings joined the party, getting bolder with hammered textures and two-tone combinations. Everyone wanted their ring to feel like theirs, not just something off a standard jewelry store shelf.
Diamond Shapes Got Weird (In the Best Way)
The round brilliant diamond? Cute, but kinda boring for the ’70s crowd. Enter the marquise cut—that elongated football-shaped diamond that made your finger look longer and gave you maximum sparkle for your buck. Princess cuts showed up around 1971 with their geometric, square-ish vibe, perfect for anyone who wanted their ring to look like it came from the future. And emerald cuts, which had been hanging around since way earlier, suddenly became cool again for couples who preferred that glassy, step-cut look over maximum sparkle.
Here’s where jewelers got clever: cluster settings. Instead of dropping a fortune on one massive rock, they’d arrange a bunch of smaller diamonds around a center stone. Boom—instant impact without the heart attack-inducing price tag. Halo designs did something similar, wrapping the center stone in a little crown of sparklers that made everything look bigger and brighter. Plus, new cutting technology meant jewelers could actually pull off these fancy shapes without losing their minds (or their fingers).
Go Big or Go Home: Chunky Everything
If you could spot a ’70s ring from across the room, that was kind of the point. Ring profiles went from dainty 2mm bands to hefty 4mm+ statements that sat way up off your finger. More metal meant more presence, and honestly, when everyone was wearing platform shoes and sunglasses the size of dinner plates, your ring needed to keep up.
The geometric vibe was real—think Art Deco on steroids. Square edges, angular prongs, step patterns everywhere. But here’s the twist: organic, flowy designs were equally popular. Floral motifs, nature-inspired curves, all that good hippie stuff. Channel settings (where little diamonds line up in neat rows along the band) gave you durability and extra sparkle, which is pretty much the dream combo.
Make It Mean Something
This is where the ’70s really did something different. Couples weren’t just buying whatever the jeweler had in stock—they were asking for custom touches that actually meant something to them. Peace signs, zodiac symbols, hearts (but like, groovy hearts). Birthstones started showing up as center stones or accent gems. And engraving went from “J + S” to entire song lyrics, poetry, meaningful dates—the works.
Wedding sets became a thing too. Before this, people would buy their engagement ring and wedding band separately and just… hope they looked okay together? The ’70s said “nah” and started selling coordinated sets that were designed to actually complement each other. Revolutionary, honestly.
Celebrity Inspo (But Make It Your Own)
Jane Fonda went minimalist with a simple gold band from Tom Hayden, totally channeling that bohemian vibe. Elizabeth Taylor, meanwhile, was out here collecting oversized diamonds like Pokémon cards—aspirational but completely unrealistic for, you know, actual humans. Mick Jagger’s wedding to Bianca Pérez-Mora Macias made headlines for being delightfully unconventional.
But here’s the thing: unlike today’s obsession with getting the exact ring some celebrity wore, ’70s couples were more like “oh, that marquise cut is cool, but I’m gonna put it in a chunky gold band that fits my budget and my vibe.” They borrowed ideas but made them their own, which honestly feels refreshing.
Then vs. Now vs. Later
The ’60s? All about sleek, simple, don’t-look-at-me-too-hard elegance. Platinum, white gold, round diamonds, minimal fuss.
The ’70s? Rejected all that and said “MORE.” Bigger rings, warmer metals, weirder diamond shapes, personal touches everywhere. Bohemian meets geometric meets “I want people to notice this thing.”
The ’80s? Took the ’70s energy and cranked it to eleven. Even bigger center stones, more elaborate clusters, and suddenly colored gemstones were totally acceptable. Princess Diana’s 1981 sapphire surrounded by diamonds basically kicked off that whole era.
The ’70s Are Back, Baby
Plot twist: those “ugly” ’70s rings your parents had? They’re selling for serious money now. Millennials and Gen Z are hunting down authentic vintage pieces at estate sales and auctions like they’re treasure hunting. Modern jewelers are pumping out new rings that reference ’70s style—marquise cuts, yellow gold, chunky bands—but with today’s technology and manufacturing.
Major jewelry brands are explicitly name-dropping the decade in their marketing, featuring geometric cuts and warm metals that scream 1970s. You can customize rings with personal symbols and unconventional elements, keeping that ’70s spirit of “this ring is uniquely mine” alive. Turns out, what was cool fifty years ago is cool again, and honestly? Those chunky gold beauties deserve the comeback.
That’s all ! © Glamourdaze