70s Jewelry: Styles, Iconic Pieces and How to Wear Them Now

Searches for 70s jewelry mix two very different things: what people actually wore in the decade, and how to wear a 70s look today. This page does both, in that order. It sticks to what the sources we read say, and it says so when they differ. For current trends see jewelry trends 2026.

70s Jewelry Timeline: Early, Mid and Late Decade

The decade ran from handmade hippie pieces to glossy gold. A general encyclopedia article on 1970s fashion describes early-1970s hippie accessories as made from natural materials such as wood, shells, stones, feathers, beads and leather, replacing standard jewelry. Glamorous styles of the time used pearl earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The same article says gold chains, gold-button earrings and rhinestone clips returned to popularity in 1973, after several years of homemade jewelry.

By 1974 to 1976 accessories were generally minimal. The article calls the most common jewelry a simple, thin, unobtrusive gold neck chain worn under the collar by both sexes, and says it became ubiquitous from the mid-1970s. White puka shell necklaces were worn by both sexes, mood rings were a big fad, and men paired leisure suits with gold medallions. In 1977 to 1979 the article lists gold jewelry among the accessories, with puka shell necklaces still popular.

Why Yellow Gold Ruled the 70s

Yellow gold dominated 1970s fine and fashion jewelry, and bold design was the point. A jewelry trade article quotes a gallery co-owner who says the style was driven by counterculture, and that jewelry had to be bold to stand out against the era's loud prints and flared pants. It says yellow gold dominated, that thick gold chains were worn in layers, and that long beaded necklaces were common. It also notes that oversized body jewelry was a form of self-expression, comparable to tattoos today.

The same article ties the gold boom to price, saying the US left the gold standard in 1971, that gold had been fixed at $35 an ounce before then, that it averaged below $100 an ounce until about 1974, and that it rose toward the end of the decade. A jewelry-history page we read frames it differently, saying gold prices were very low after 1971. Those do not quite agree, and we have only the trade article's figures, so treat the price story as one explanation rather than settled fact.

Turquoise, Beads and Colored Stones

Bold colored stones were part of the look. The trade article says turquoise, malachite and lapis lazuli were widely used, that less expensive stones suited large-scale work, and that jade and carnelian appeared in chunky necklaces. A jewelry-history page adds amber, coral and cocktail-ring stones such as amethyst, citrine and tourmaline, and says lab-created rubies, emeralds and sapphires became more accessible. A vintage jewelry seller's blog lists the same family of stones plus tiger's eye, onyx and wood, bone, shell and leather. We treat that last list as a seller's description rather than a sourced history.

For a modern take on gold with turquoise tones, see turquoise and gold jewelry.

The Iconic 70s Jewelry Pieces

Gold Chains and Layered Necklaces

Thin gold neck chains and thicker layered chains are the signature 70s necklace. The encyclopedia article makes the thin chain a mid-decade staple, and the trade article describes thick chains worn in layers. For how chain styles are worn now, see gold chain styles trending now and the gold chain necklace guide.

Medallions and Coin Pendants

Medallions were a common accessory, especially for men in leisure suits. An encyclopedia article on disco names necklaces and medallions as common accessories. Our medallion necklace guide covers how they are worn today. AJLuxe does not currently sell medallion necklaces.

Puka Shell Necklaces

Puka shells are worn, bead-like tips of cone snail shells with a natural hole, and "puka" is the Hawaiian word for hole. The sources do not agree on when they peaked. The encyclopedia article on 1970s fashion has white puka shell necklaces worn by both sexes in the mid and late 1970s, while a separate encyclopedia entry on puka shells places their main surge in the 1960s, with a second wave in the 1990s. Both can be true, since a trend can run for years, but we cannot give you one date. That entry also notes that many modern "puka" necklaces use other shells or plastic.

Mood Rings

The mood ring was a short, bright craze of 1975. An encyclopedia entry says a jeweler had the idea in 1974, developed a technique in January 1975 and began sales that February, that sales reached a total of $15 million in December 1975, and that demand then fell suddenly in mid-December as the market was oversaturated. It says they went out of fashion within a couple of years. The color meanings are not standardized, which we explain in how mood rings work and the mood ring color chart.

Hoops, Chandeliers and Statement Earrings

Big earrings are part of most 70s jewelry lists, but our sources vary in detail. A jewelry-history page mentions oversized, asymmetrical earrings linked to glam rock, and a seller's blog lists oversized hoops, tassel and feather earrings and chandelier earrings for disco. The encyclopedia fashion article does not discuss earrings beyond gold-button earrings and rhinestone clips returning in 1973. Take the rest as typical rather than documented.

Cocktail Rings and Signets

Chunky rings with bright stones sit at the center of the look. A jewelry-history page describes bold cluster rings, oversized cocktail rings and, among unisex pieces, signet rings and simple gold chains. A short note: that page also credits an Art Deco revival with the era's geometric motifs, which we could not confirm elsewhere.

What About Disco Jewelry?

Disco jewelry was gold, glittering and meant to catch light on a dance floor. The encyclopedia entry on disco describes sequined and gold lamé clothing that shimmered under the lights and necklaces and medallions as common accessories, and does not go into other jewelry. A jewelry-history page says disco added glittering gold chains, diamond chokers and oversized cocktail rings. Because disco rose in the mid to late 1970s, it is better read as the end of the decade than the whole of it.

How to Wear 70s Jewelry Today

Choose two or three 70s motifs and keep the rest modern. Our suggestions, which are style advice rather than history:

• Start with gold. A thin gold chain with a second, slightly heavier one gives the layered look. A choker works the same way: see our choker guide and how to style a choker.
• Add one round shape. A hoop, coin or medallion echoes the decade. Our best gold hoop earrings and chunky hoop earrings guides help you pick the size.
• Add one natural material. A shell or a colored stone is the quickest nod to the earlier, hippie half of the decade.
• Keep the scale honest. Real 70s pieces were oversized. If you want that, say so to yourself before you buy small pieces and expect a big effect.

What AJLuxe Offers for a 70s Look

Our pieces are modest in scale, so we suggest them as accents rather than a full costume. They are 18K gold plated over 925 sterling silver unless the product page says otherwise. The small gold huggie hoops and the rope chain hoop earrings bring the hoop, the layered choker necklace brings a close gold chain, and the shell heart necklace brings a natural shell pendant. We do not sell oversized statement pieces, medallions or turquoise jewelry, and we would rather say so than stretch a description. Plated gold is not solid gold, and our guide to gold plated versus solid gold explains the difference. Browse more in necklaces and earrings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jewelry was popular in the 70s?

Yellow gold chains, medallions, puka shell necklaces, turquoise and other bold stones, big rings and mood rings were all popular. The early decade favored handmade natural pieces, and the late decade favored glittering gold for disco.

What accessories were worn in the 1970s?

Beyond jewelry, an encyclopedia article on 1970s fashion lists small leather shoulder bags, envelope-sized disco bags on long straps, aviator-style glasses with clear lenses, scarves, belts and dressy hats and gloves later in the decade.

What are some iconic items from the 1970s?

For jewelry, the iconic items are the thin gold neck chain, the gold medallion, the puka shell necklace and the mood ring. The mood ring is the best dated of these, with sales starting in February 1975.

What are 10 forgotten fads from the 70s?

We cannot give you ten with sources. The best documented fad in jewelry is the mood ring, which an encyclopedia entry places at a 1975 peak and faded within a couple of years, and white puka shell necklaces are the other one regularly listed.

Is disco jewelry the same as 70s jewelry?

No, disco jewelry is the late-decade part of 70s jewelry. It is gold, glittering and made to catch light, while the early 1970s favored natural, handmade pieces.

Was gold the main metal of the 70s?

Yellow gold was the dominant metal in the jewelry-trade and design-history sources we read. They link this to bold design and to gold prices, though they do not agree on the details of the price story.

Can I wear 70s jewelry without looking like a costume?

Yes, by choosing two or three motifs, such as a gold chain, a hoop and one natural material, and wearing them with modern clothes. This is style advice, not a rule.

Sources

A general online encyclopedia article on 1970s fashion (early, mid and late decade accessories and dates), an encyclopedia entry on puka shells (origin, popularity), an entry on mood rings (1974 to 1975 dates, sales), an entry on disco (accessories), a jewelry trade press article on 1970s style (counterculture, gold, stones, gold prices), a jewelry history reference page on 1970s design and a vintage jewelry seller's blog on 1970s trends, all read on 2026-10-08. Where they disagree, we say so. Product details come from ajluxe.com product pages.

Written by AJLuxe Team. Last updated: October 2026

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