An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now

Emily Schinella Emily Schinella
9 minute read

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The 1970s were a hugely influential era in fashion and accessories. From bell-bottom pants and flowy shirts to sequins, loud prints and colourful jewellery, these trends not only defined the era of disco records and lava lamps but also left a mark on society that is still seen today. Fashion and jewellery inspired by the 1970s are one of the biggest trends of the 2020s, especially as people attempt to consume more sustainably by shopping for vintage and secondhand pieces.

What’s most surprising about this is that it isn’t just those who were around during this era that are embracing 70s-inspired fashion and jewellery trends, it's also millennials and Gen Z. In fact, these two generations appear to be companioning the rise of some reemergence of styles from the decade, especially jewellery. So much so that if you were to open a fashion magazine or scroll through your social media feed you would find many accessories replicating pieces from this time period including jazzy hoop earrings, vibrantly coloured rings and many more. 

So, get ready to pop on your disco boots and dust off your favourite ABBA vinyl as we’re rounding up some of our favourite 70’s jewellery trends and how you can rock them now. 

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends | Overview

70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now

Oversized Earrings 

From big hair to big flairs it seems as though the 70s was all about making big statements, (pardon the pun) and that includes the jewellery people wore during this era. So much so that one of the most significant 70s jewellery trends was oversized accessories, specifically oversized earrings. Girls in the 70s loved incorporating loud earrings as part of their ensemble whether it was large and vibrantly coloured clip-in and stud earrings or classic hoop earrings made out of solid metal. It seemed like the matra was definitely the bigger, the better. Drop earrings were also a huge commodity when it came to 70s jewellery trends, particularly, hook-style earrings with large, spherical adornments, fringe-style tassels along with styles featuring unique patterns, textures and shapes. 

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now | Oversized Earrings

Nowadays, the oversized earring 70s jewellery trend lives on in the form of the fashion world’s love of hoop earrings. You truly cannot go anywhere without seeing someone sporting this style in one form or another, whether it's the super-trendy and elegant gold hoop earrings, the slightly more subtle huggie earrings or the dressier diamond hoop earrings. And that’s not the only oversized earring trend that people are embracing today. Our love of drop earrings has also continued through the popularity of threader earrings, pearl drop earrings, chandelier earrings and hook earrings. While the oversized stud earring trend of the 70s has even spawned other trends including playful shapes, pieces with enamel, gemstone-heavy earrings and even pearl earrings. 

Statement Necklaces

The 1970s was a decade known for its bold and eclectic fashion trends, and necklaces were no exception. During this era, statement necklaces were all the rage. Chunky, oversized chains in gold or silver were popular, often adorned with large pendants or charms. Another trend was the layered necklace look, where individuals would stack multiple chains of varying lengths and styles to create a dramatic and eye-catching effect. Tassel necklaces, featuring long, dangling strands of beads or threads, were also a prevalent choice in the '70s. Medallion and oversized teardrop pendants were also a hugely popular statement and were often sported with cowl-neck and v-neck blouses. The 70s was also a time for flair and so naturally, bold colours were also hugely popular, especially stone-set pieces adorned with large and brightly coloured gemstones. 

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now | Statement Pendants

Fast forward to today, and the '70s statement necklace trends have made a stylish comeback. Many fashion enthusiasts and designers draw inspiration from this era, infusing a modern twist into these vintage styles. Chunky gold chains and oversized pendants have become statement accessories, elevating both casual and dressy outfits. Layering necklaces is a popular technique, allowing individuals to mix and match different textures, lengths, and materials for a unique and personalized look. Tassel necklaces have also seen a resurgence, adding a touch of bohemian flair to flair to your look. In the era of TikTok, Charm necklaces have also become popular among Gen Z, particularly heart pendants, coin-shaped pendants and initial necklaces. Gemstone necklaces also remain very popular in this day and age, adding a lush pop of colour to your ensemble.

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Heavy Bangles 

Heavy, wide and overly jewelled bangles were another huge 70s jewellery trend, especially among partygoers and the era’s youth. Characterised by their wide and chunky designs, bangles in the 70s were often made from heavy-set materials like wood, plastic, or metal and featured intricate engravings, colourful patterns, and embellishments such as beads, charms, or dangling elements. Many 70s bangles were also embossed with colourful enamel, crystals and gemstones to create more of a statement, while others adorned styles featuring scalloped edges and octagonal shapes. It was also somewhat rare that people would limit themselves to just one bangle on their wrists during this time as they would often layer multiple on their wrists in order to create a playful and vibrant jingling effect that would really stand out when you were on the dancefloor.

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now | Heavy Bangles

In terms of styling bangles in 2023, this trend tends to be worn in a more minimalist and curated way. Instead of the excessive stacking seen in the past, people often choose a few key statement pieces or opt for a mix of bangles and other bracelets to create a balanced and eclectic look. Bangles are often paired with boho-inspired or retro outfits to enhance the vintage vibe, but they can also be used to add a touch of boldness and character to modern, minimalist ensembles. The versatility of '70s bangles allows them to be incorporated into various personal styles, serving as a nostalgic accessory that brings a unique flair to contemporary fashion, particularly plain silver and gold bangles. While the wide and chunky designs are still popular, modern interpretations often incorporate contemporary materials and finishes such as geometric shapes and patterns such as crystal bangles.

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Gemstone Rings

The 1970s was a decade known for its vibrant,  free-spirited and bohemian style and so gemstone rings naturally fell into that equation with their rich tones and glittering diamond settings. Women and men embraced rings adorned with gemstones in droves during this era, favouring intricate designs and bold shapes such as dome and signet rings. The use of natural materials was also increasingly popular with many opting for designs made out of wood and shells alongside the gemstones for an earthy, boho aesthetic. Meanwhile, cocktail and halo rings set with large, round gemstones were a favourite for those that frequented the ‘70s disco scene. People also tended to have their eyes on certain types of gemstones in the disco era, namely, more natural stones including agate, malachite, lapis lazuli, rubies, emeralds and turquoise. Amethyst rings were also highly in demand at this time. 

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now | Gemstone Rings

While gemstone rings remain as in demand as they were when they were a 70s jewellery trend, the way in which we embrace it is much different. While some opt for a more classic approach, wearing a single gemstone ring as a statement piece on a specific finger. This allows for the ring to stand out in its full glory as a bit of a statement piece. Others, particularly, younger fashion lovers have embraced gemstone rings by layering and stacking rings across multiple fingers. Opting for daintier styles, occasionally with more than one gemstone set into the piece, the layering and stacking trend allows the wearer to play around with different colours and textures to create an incredibly dynamic effect. A lot of wearers often sport gemstone rings adorned with their birthstones as a way to add an element of personalisation to their look. 

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Turquoise Jewellery 

If there was a 70s jewellery trend that dominated more than most it was without a doubt turquoise jewellery. A symbol of the boho and free-spirited aesthetic that reined supreme during this era, turquoise-adorned accessories were embraced for their vibrant green-blue hues along with their connection to Native American and Southwestern cultures. Often set into belts, watches and many more last-minute additions, turquoise was also big in jewellery, particularly sterling silver jewellery. Often worn as a bold statement piece, turquoise was frequently fashioned in dangly chandelier earrings, chunky silver rings with intricate patterns and engravings, along with bulky silver bangles and playful charm bracelets. These pieces often showcased intricate silverwork, filigree details, and unique settings that highlighted the beauty of turquoise. To highlight the natural charm of turquoise, pieces were often accompanied by other organic materials including wood, feathers, pearls and other gemstones. 

An Overview Of 70s Jewellery Trends & How To Wear Them Now | Turquoise Jewellery

The unique and down-to-earth turquoise jewellery still continues to inspire designers and brands today, hence why it frequently appears in contemporary fashion albeit in completely different ways. Vintage pieces from that era are cherished as symbols of nostalgia and authenticity, while modern designs draw inspiration from the bold and bohemian spirit of the past. It is not uncommon to see turquoise pieces among a contemporary silver ring stack, especially among millennials and gen z. Turquoise stones are also fashioned into a lot of earring designs today, namely hook-style drop earrings and gold huggie earrings adorned with charms. Turquoise is also incorporated into a lot of dainty bracelet designs, especially ones that feature heavy beadwork. Another way that people are incorporating turquoise into their look is with layered fine silver necklaces all at different lengths in order to hone in on the bohemian feel of the stone.

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