The 1970s were larger than life and this was reflected across the entire arts and design culture. Jewelry designs were larger and were once again heavily influenced by nature, but this time, as opposed to the 1950s birds and floral designs, they were adorned with a variety of symbols from deer and frogs to mushrooms, ferns, and the ever popular owl. These natural sources for inspiration were fueled by the increasing desire to be more involved with the natural world and avoid the large scale conflicts the globe had been plagued with in recent times.

Jewelry that was worn was often minimized to just a few pieces during the 1970s as opposed to the 'sets' of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings worn during the 1950s and 60s. This was usually earrings and necklaces with a ring and little else worn. The fashions of the 1970s often played up certain pieces of clothing or involved dramatic makeup for evening wear and jewelry, while worn, was not highly incorporated into the overall look, merely it just played a background role.

As the hippie movement took hold during the 1970s, other materials, such as hemp and leather, began to make their way into the fashion world. Methods such as braiding and tying were used in metal and leather work to achieve a more organic and natural look to the jewelry. Consumers who related themselves to the hippie movement flocked to jewelry that incorporated modern icons like the peace or dove symbol. Multiple layers or levels incorporated into the jewelry designs were also popular ways to provide a more refined and natural looking piece. Gemstones would be set into a centralized disc that would be surrounded by a thin round wire that was detached from the gem's setting. A ring or pendant might have layered two square pieces of gold, one offset at an angle on top of the other with a picture or icon set in the middle of both to form a great 1970s design.

Darker more natural colors also gained in popularity in the 1970s over the bright teals and yellows of the 1960s. Mauve, burgundy, jade, deep blue, and gold were some of the more popular colors used during this era. Two-tone necklace pendants and earrings were also very popular during this era and would often incorporate a gold hue or trim into the pieces to complement the design.

Smaller beads that were grouped and arranged to create larger pieces and designs were also popular during this generation. The very small glass beads, known as seed beads to some, were at the forefront of this trend and were often used to create necklaces of two or three shades that were woven and twisted together using clear plastic as thread and the beads as decoration. Rings were also made in a similar manner, but on a smaller scale than the necklaces of the same variety, and became widely popular among youth, as well.