Jewelry usually tells a story, but Golden State championship rings scream it. Most people look at these massive, blinding pieces of hardware and just see diamonds. They see the sparkle. They see the flex. But honestly, if you talk to the designers at Jason of Beverly Hills or the players who actually wear them, you realize these aren't just trophies you wear on your finger. They are complex puzzles of local history and team lore.
It's wild.
Think about the 2022 ring for a second. That thing is dense. We are talking about 16 carats of yellow and white diamonds just to represent the 16 wins during those playoffs. But it goes deeper. The 2022 design actually features a "trap door." If you peel back the top, you see the court from the Chase Center. It’s literal architectural storytelling hidden inside a piece of jewelry. This isn't just about winning a title; it’s about the fact that they moved from Oakland to San Francisco and still managed to dominate.
The Engineering Chaos of the 2022 Ring
You can’t talk about Golden State championship rings without mentioning Jason Arasheben. Known as "Jason of Beverly Hills," he’s the guy who basically revolutionized how NBA rings look. Before the Warriors' dynasty really kicked into high gear, championship rings were kind of... static. They were heavy gold bands with a logo. Boring.
Jason changed the game.
The 2022 ring features 0.91 carats of white diamonds on the inner bezel. Why 91? Because that’s the winning percentage the Warriors had at home during the playoffs. That is an insane level of granularity. If they had lost one more game, the physical weight of the ring would be different. It’s basically a data visualization you can wear.
Then there are the "7" carats of yellow diamonds on the side. That’s for the seven championships the franchise has won in total, dating back to their time in Philadelphia. Most fans forget that part. They forget the 1947 and 1956 titles. The rings don’t.
Why the 2015 Ring Started a Revolution
The 2015 ring was the one that broke the mold. It was the first time in 40 years the franchise had reached the mountaintop.
When you look at the 2015 version, it looks almost modest compared to what came later. It featured 240 diamonds. That sounds like a lot until you realize the 2018 ring had 74 sapphires and diamonds just on the "removable" top. Back in 2015, the focus was on the Bay Bridge. The bridge logo on the face of the ring is made of 67% 14-karat gold.
Wait. 67 percent?
Yeah. Because they won 67 games that season. Every single decision is a reference. The 240 diamonds represent the 240 victories the ownership group had since taking over the team. It’s a level of ego and detail that makes these items more like artifacts than accessories.
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The Reversible Top of 2018
Okay, this was the peak of "doing too much" in the best way possible. The 2018 Golden State championship rings featured a reversible top. It was the first of its kind.
The players could literally twist the top off and flip it. One side was blue sapphires; the other was white diamonds. It was designed this way because the Warriors were the first team in decades to win back-to-back titles in such a dominant fashion. The blue side represented the "Blue State" identity, while the white side was the "White Hot" playoff vibe.
Underneath the rim, there’s a phrase: "Back to Back."
It’s almost aggressive.
What’s even crazier is the weight. These rings are huge. If you’ve ever seen a photo of Stephen Curry or Draymond Green wearing all four of theirs at once, their hands look like they’re encased in armor. They aren't meant for daily wear. You don't go to the grocery store in a 2018 championship ring unless you want to get robbed or develop carpal tunnel. They are vault pieces.
The Symbolism of the Bay Bridge
The bridge is everything. Every single Golden State championship ring from this era features the Bay Bridge. But the way the bridge is rendered changes.
On the 2017 ring, the bridge is flanked by the "4-1" and "4-0" records of the various series they played. It’s a flex. It’s a way of saying, "We didn’t just win; we destroyed everyone."
Specifically, look at the 11 carats of diamonds on the 2017 version. Why 11? Because they went 15-1 in the playoffs, and 11 was... well, actually, the 11 represents the number of years since their last "We Believe" playoff run that sparked the culture. Or, depending on which team historian you talk to, it ties back to the total number of playoff wins they had in a specific stretch. There is always a number. Always.
What it Costs to Make One
Nobody officially says the price. It's all "NDA" this and "proprietary" that.
But we can do the math.
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A standard high-end NBA ring usually starts at $15,000 for the "staff" versions. These are the ones given to the front office or secondary employees. They have fewer diamonds and usually use cubic zirconia or lower-grade stones.
But the player versions?
The 2022 ring is estimated to be worth north of $50,000. Some estimates for the 2018 reversible ring put it closer to $100,000 because of the mechanical complexity of the twisting top and the sheer volume of high-clarity diamonds.
The "Secret" Engravings
If you get a chance to see one of these up close—which, let’s be honest, most of us won’t unless we’re at a museum or a very fancy charity auction—look at the inside of the band.
Every player gets their own personalized touch.
- Their jersey number.
- Their signature.
- The team's post-season records.
- Sometimes even a tiny "W" or a "Strength in Numbers" slogan.
The 2019 ring (which they didn't get because they lost to the Raptors, though the design phase had already started in some circles) would have likely been even more tech-heavy. But the 2022 ring made up for it. It was the "redemption" ring.
Authenticating a Real Warriors Ring
Because these are so iconic, the market is flooded with fakes. You can go on eBay right now and buy a "replica" for $25. It’ll be made of zinc alloy and glass. It'll turn your finger green in three hours.
Real Golden State championship rings are made of 10k or 14k gold. They are heavy. A real ring weighs about as much as a small lemon.
If you’re ever looking at a "real" one for sale, check the clarity of the stones. The Warriors use VS/SI diamonds. If the stones look cloudy or "flat" under a loupe, it’s a knockoff. Also, the serial numbers. Every player ring is logged. You can’t just "find" Steph Curry’s ring at a pawn shop without a massive paper trail.
The Impact on Jewelry Culture
Before the Warriors dynasty, championship rings were sports memorabilia. Now, they are "high jewelry."
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Other teams are trying to copy the "hidden features" trend. The Milwaukee Bucks did a ring with a top that turns into a pendant. The Rams did a ring with a removable top that showed a miniature version of their stadium.
The Warriors started this.
They pushed the idea that a ring shouldn't just be a trophy—it should be a gadget. It should have moving parts. It should have a narrative built into the carats.
How to See the Rings
If you want to see these things in person, your best bet is the Chase Center. They often have displays during the season. Sometimes, the team will bring them out for special fan events.
Alternatively, the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield has a rotating collection.
Watching the "Ring Ceremony" on opening night is the closest most fans get. It’s the moment the players transition from "defending champs" to "history." You see the emotion. Even a guy like Klay Thompson, who has four of them, looks at the new ring like it’s the first one he’s ever seen.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Fans
If you're obsessed with the jewelry aspect of the NBA, there are ways to engage without spending $100k.
Look for "Fan Editions" from the official jeweler.
When the Warriors win, Jason of Beverly Hills or Baron Championship Rings usually releases a "Fan Collection." These are made by the same designers but use more affordable materials. They usually run between $300 and $1,000. It's the only way to get the actual mold of the ring without being a billionaire.
Study the "Story Maps" of the rings.
Most years, the team releases a digital "breakdown" of the ring's symbolism. Save these. They explain why there are 43 stones on one side or why the bridge has a certain number of cables. It turns the ring into a history lesson.
Verify before you buy "Authentic" memorabilia.
If you see a "player-issued" ring on an auction site like Heritage Auctions or SCP Auctions, check the "Letter of Authenticity" (LOA). It should be from the team or a verified player representative. Many "authentic" rings are actually just "extra" staff rings that someone is trying to pass off as a player version. The difference in value is tens of thousands of dollars.
Follow the designers.
If you want to see what the next ring might look like, follow Jason of Beverly Hills on social media. He often posts "making of" videos that show the CAD designs and the diamond-setting process. It’s a masterclass in modern engineering.
The Golden State championship rings aren't just about the past; they set the standard for every team that wins in the future. They turned a piece of sports tradition into a high-tech storytelling medium. Whether you love the Warriors or hate them, you have to respect the craftsmanship. It’s a lot of weight to carry, but for this team, it seems to fit just right.