Winning an NBA title is hard. Designing a ring that doesn't look like every other chunk of gold in the trophy case? That might actually be harder. When the Golden State Warriors clinched their fourth title in eight years back in 2022, they didn't just want another piece of jewelry. They wanted a storyteller. Honestly, if you look closely at a golden state warriors championship ring, especially the 2022 edition, you’re not just looking at diamonds. You’re looking at a physical map of a dynasty.
Most people think these rings are just about being big and shiny. They’re wrong. These things are basically wearable museums.
The Secret Compartment No One Expected
Usually, a championship ring is a solid piece of metal. You put it on, it stays there. But for the 2022 run, the Warriors worked with Jason of Beverly Hills to do something kinda insane. They built a secret compartment into the top of the ring.
There’s a little lever hidden in the architectural details of the side—specifically built into the shape of the Chase Center. If you slide it, the top of the ring actually opens up. Inside? It reveals the number of trophies that specific player has won with the franchise. For guys like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the "Core Four" (including Andre Iguodala), it shows four mini Larry O’Brien trophies.
It’s the first time anyone has ever put a "trap door" on a championship ring. It’s a bit extra, sure, but after coming back from the worst record in the league just two years prior, "extra" was exactly what the vibe called for.
Why the Yellow Diamonds Matter
You’ve probably noticed that the 2022 ring looks... yellower than the 2015 or 2017 versions. That’s because it’s the first championship ring in history to be made primarily of yellow diamonds.
The team called the postseason "Gold Blooded," and they took that literally.
- 16 carats of diamonds: This represents the 16 wins the Warriors racked up during the 2022 playoffs.
- 0.91 carats of white diamonds: This is a super specific nod to their 91% home winning percentage at the Chase Center during that postseason.
- 7 carats of yellow cushion-cut diamonds: These are set into the bezel to represent the seven total championships in the franchise's history.
Basically, if there was a stat worth celebrating, Jason Arasheben found a way to glue a diamond to it.
Steph Curry’s Personal Shoutout
One of the coolest, and most subtle, details is on the "bridge" of the ring. There are 43 baguette diamonds used in the design of the Bay Bridge. Why 43? Because that’s how many points Steph Curry dropped in Game 4 against the Celtics.
That was the turning point of the series. Without that 43-point masterpiece, the Warriors likely don't win that title, and the ring looks a lot different. Putting that specific number into the jewelry is a "if you know, you know" type of tribute to the greatest shooter ever.
Pettiness is a Virtue
Sports is nothing without a little trash talk, right? The Warriors are famously petty when they want to be.
On the inside of the 2022 ring, behind those secret trophies, there’s an engraving of a floor pattern. It’s not the Chase Center floor. It’s the Boston Celtics' parquet floor.
Why? Because the Warriors won the title on Boston’s home court. Every time a player looks at their ring, they’re reminded that they celebrated on the Celtics' logo. It’s a level of "salt in the wound" that most fans absolutely love, and it’s why these rings are so much more than just jewelry—they're receipts.
How the 2022 Ring Compares to the 2015 "Original"
If you put the 2015 ring next to the 2022 version, the difference is staggering.
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The 2015 ring was "understated" (if you can call 240 diamonds understated). It was heavy on blue sapphires and focused on the "W" logo. It felt like a team that was just happy to be there, breaking a 40-year drought.
By 2018, the rings became reversible. You could literally flip the top of the 2018 ring to show either blue sapphires or white diamonds. But 2022? That was about the "Golden Era." The sheer amount of yellow gold and yellow diamonds makes it feel like the final boss of championship jewelry.
Can You Actually Buy One?
Short answer: Sorta.
The authentic rings given to the players are estimated to cost around $50,000 to $100,000 to produce, though their value on the open market would be much higher because of the "who wore it" factor. You aren't going to find Draymond Green’s actual ring on eBay anytime soon.
However, the Warriors and Jason of Beverly Hills usually release a "Fan Collection."
- The Super Fan Ring: Usually costs around $9,995. It’s made of 10k gold and has real diamonds, though fewer than the players' version.
- The Standard Fan Ring: Usually around $995. Still gold, but uses smaller stones.
- The Paperweight/Replica: You can find these for $20 to $150. They’re made of zinc alloy and glass, but they look great on a desk if you don't mind the "fake" sparkle.
The Engineering Challenge
Designing these isn't just about art; it’s about physics. Jason of Beverly Hills had a five-week window to finish 65 of these.
Each ring took roughly 40 to 50 hours of hand-labor. Because of the secret compartment and the sliding top, they had to be forged from 14 different pieces and then assembled. If the alignment was off by even a fraction of a millimeter, the sliding mechanism would jam.
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It’s essentially a luxury watch disguised as a ring.
What to Look for in a Real vs. Fake Ring
If you’re a collector looking at a golden state warriors championship ring on the secondary market, you have to be careful. The "SGA" (Stadium Giveaway) rings are common and made of cheap metal.
Authentic rings from the team or high-level fan versions will always have:
- Crisp Engraving: The player's name and the "Just Us" mantra should be sharp, not blurry.
- Weight: A real 10k or 14k gold ring is heavy. It shouldn't feel like plastic or light aluminum.
- The Box: Authentic rings come in LED-lit boxes that often rotate.
The Warriors' rings, especially those from the 2017 and 2018 "KD years," are some of the most faked items in sports memorabilia. If the price feels too good to be true, it’s probably a zinc alloy replica from a factory, not a masterpiece from Beverly Hills.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to commemorate the Dubs' dynasty, here is how you should actually approach it:
- Check the Material: If you want something that holds value, only buy the "Limited Edition" versions from the official team store or Jason of Beverly Hills. Zinc replicas are for fun, not for investment.
- Verify the Year: Remember that each year has a specific "story." 2015 is the "Breakthrough," 2017/18 is the "Dynasty," and 2022 is the "Legacy."
- Look for the QR Code: Some newer championship rings (like the 2021 Bucks ring) actually have QR codes inside that play season highlights. While the Warriors' 2022 ring focused on the mechanical "secret compartment," always check the inner shank for "Just Us" and the series scores to verify authenticity.
- Investment Potential: Championship rings belonging to bench players occasionally hit auction houses (like Heritage Auctions or Sotheby's). These can fetch $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the year.
The golden state warriors championship ring is more than just a trophy; it's the physical proof of a decade that changed how basketball is played. Whether it's the yellow diamonds of 2022 or the reversible top of 2018, these pieces of jewelry are as complex and innovative as the team that wears them.