Did you catch us last week as we started down the historical path of engagement rings? Since we started
with the 1980s, it only makes sense that this week we move a decade back in time. We’ll head back a little further in our way back machine, exploring the history of engagement rings, to the 1970s. The 70s were a time of self-expression and Studio 54. Mick and Bianca got married, as did Bill and Hillary Clinton and Richard Wagner and Natalie Wood (for the second time). It was still a heady time of free love and also a hard time of war. But fashion was having a heyday and that of course also included jewelry and engagement rings. It seems it was almost at time of “anything goes.”
With the advent of new cuts (like the princess cut diamond) folks were mashing it up and trying out new ideas. Yellow gold still ruled supreme but now we had the new diamond cuts alongside the standard cuts like an emerald cut or a round brilliant, all being mixed together in one ring.
The 70’s are when we start to see the channel set option that would be the rage of the 80’s and the princess cut (nothing to do with Diana who wasn’t yet on the scene) was taking the diamond world by storm.
And now the idea of something other than a plain wedding band, the coordinating wedding band – or better yet (depending on your viewpoint) the wedding ring “jacket” hit the scene hot and heavy. Was the “sexy 70s” your favorite engagement ring era?
Do you have an engagement ring from the 1970s? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
