You wouldn’t expect anything less than high drama from the age of platform heels, feathered hair, and disco. The 1970s were a time of self-expression and the psychedelic. Mick and Bianca Jagger got married, as did Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, and Farrah Fawcett. It was a wonderful time of free love and a hard time of war, with the continuation of counterculture and protests. But fashion trends and mass-market styles were soaring higher and becoming more unique, and that didn’t stop with engagement rings! The design of new diamond cuts fostered self-expression for all and helped the generation try out new ideas, putting their spin on traditional styles. Yellow gold still reigned supreme over white metals, but now combined with new styles and cuts of diamond, rings became new and different. Common engagement rings of the 1970s were chunky, set in gold, and meant to make a bold statement. The diamond rings of this time mirrored its fashion – floral and colorful, with lots of personality. The sleek fashion of the 1960s was over and brides of the ’70s were all about glitz, flower power, and fun.
Yellow Gold Settings
Though platinum and white metals were popularized in the 60s by stars like Elizabeth Taylor, the traditional yellow gold made a big comeback. Yellow and rose-gold settings matching the warm hues favored in fashion and decor. Isabel Preysler was spotted wearing her bold and modern solitaire engagement ring, set in yellow gold, at her wedding to Julio Iglesias in 1977!
Kent Halo Ring
The Kent is a gorgeous vintage-inspired design with a halo of alternating baguette and round diamonds and a dazzling cathedral band.
Wilshire Halo Ring
This elegant design features a modern east-west set emerald center diamond of your choice surrounded by a halo of 18 lab-created diamonds on a sleek, 1.7mm cathedral band.
Channel-Set Diamonds
Most cannot mimic Elizabeth Taylor’s extravagant diamonds, but many did take inspiration from the glitz factors. During the 1970s, many consumers piled on smaller stones around the larger center stone. This led to the comeback of a more retro, channel-set design for engagement rings.
Waverly Ring
Twenty-two channel-set lab-created diamonds sparkle from the tapered cathedral shoulders of this classic and stunning ring.
Perfect Fit Channel Set Petite Ring
This Perfect Fit ring features lab diamonds in a channel set band, and the band is created with sculpted sides to ensure that the ring will not turn while on your finger.
Marquise-Cut Diamonds
The marquise cut’s origin dates back to the 18th century when King Louis XV of France commissioned a cut shape that resembled the lips of his mistress, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour. A marquise-cut diamond is as gorgeous in yellow gold as it is in platinum. For a marquise-cut engagement ring with a retro feel, go for a slimmer gem set in the north-south direction rather than east-west. Want your ring to look more Art Deco? Choose white gold or platinum for the setting and consider more side stones! In yellow gold, your engagement ring will look perfectly 70s-inspired. And if you want a really unique twist on your ring, opt for a two stone engagement ring with either one or two marquise diamonds.
Take a look at our amazing selection of marquise-cut engagement rings!
Big Engagement Rings
Chunky rings are the epitome of disco. This disco-funk movement led to the rise of thicker, more bulky engagement rings in the 70s. The slimmer and sleeker rings of the 60s seemed too traditional during this time, and what better way to make a bold statement than with a huge, bold ring?
Regal Halo Ring
This vintage ring features cathedral shoulders that rise up to a halo and includes delicate milgrain edges alongside dazzling lab-created diamonds.
Starburst Halo
A delicate burst of prong-set lab-created diamonds encircles and enhances your center stone. More hand-set lab-created diamonds taper up the sides of this contemporary yet timeless ring.
Bridal and Wedding Sets
Finally, the coordination of the engagement ring with a wedding band to form a matching bridal set was popularized in the 70s. A bridal set is a coordinating wedding band and engagement ring. A wedding set is a bridal set that includes a matching wedding band for your partner.
Figure out the perfect bridal set for you, and mirror these styles!
Golden Gate Bridal Set
The Golden Gate bridal set connects today’s simple, minimalist design with old-world scrollwork. These vintage rings will sparkle from every angle.
Santa Fe Bridal Set
A whimsical pair, the Santa Fe Bridal Set features two rings, each with sweeping rows of lab-created diamonds framed by a high-polish metal border.
