Wedding anniversaries are not just dates on the calendar; they are the bookmarks of our love stories. Anniversaries remind us that in life's trials and triumphs, love continues to grow. Each year that passes is a testimony to the growth of the couple’s bond and shared experiences. Anniversary gifts allow us to celebrate, symbolize, and remember the journey we've embarked upon together.

While these jewelry gift ideas do not tell you exactly what to get your partner, they can help inspire you. Using the anniversary gift list as a guide, combined with moments from your relationship can help you find the perfect gift.

What are traditional anniversary gemstone gifts by year?

Gemstones offer infinite inspiration and meaning to represent the couple's journey. Use this anniversary gemstone list to find the perfect gift for every year.

1st Anniversary: Peridot - This vibrant green gemstone, peridot, is believed to bring peace to relationships by balancing emotions. Gifting peridot jewelry expresses the idea of growth, just as a relationship should continually evolve and grow stronger over time.

silver peridot dangle earrings and ring

2nd Anniversary: Garnet - Garnet, the stone of commitment, inspires love and devotion. Garnet’s deep red hues symbolize the passionate bond you share. Featuring garnet in a jewelry gift can carry symbolic meanings and serve as a beautiful reminder of the commitment, passion, trust, and love shared within a relationship. Whether given as a second anniversary gift or as a gesture of affection, garnet can be a meaningful choice for celebrating and reinforcing a loving and devoted partnership.

3rd Anniversary: Pearl - A timeless symbol of love and wisdom, pearls are the essence of elegance. These lustrous gems, cultivated over the years, can reflect the cherished memories and milestones of your three-year journey. Each pearl is unique, just as each relationship is unique with its own story that over time symbolizes the uniqueness of the bond between partners.

4th Anniversary: Blue Topaz - Blue Topaz, symbolizes loyalty and trust. In a relationship, trust is a cornerstone of a strong bond. Its serene blue shades mirror the calm and trust you've cultivated over four years. Blue Topaz is a beautiful choice for celebrating and reinforcing these qualities in a loving partnership.

5th Anniversary: Sapphire - The deep blue sapphire represents new love and unwavering commitment. It reflects your faith and hope in each other, making it the perfect gemstone to celebrate five years of love.

silver, blue sapphire stud earrings and necklace

6th Anniversary: Amethyst - Amethyst strengthens relations, fostering a deeper connection with your soulmate. In a relationship, it represents the aspirations and dreams that partners strive to achieve together.

7th Anniversary: Onyx - Black onyx, known as a protector for harmonious relationships, symbolizes the unity you've built over seven years. Onyx's protective properties extend to safeguarding the love and connection between partners. Its striking contrast of black and white reflects your strong connection.

8th Anniversary: Tourmaline - Pink tourmaline is related to unconditional love, making it an ideal choice for your eighth anniversary. In a relationship, tourmaline symbolizes the deep, unwavering love and affection that partners share for each other. The vibrant pink color represents heartfelt emotions and passion. It signifies the intensity of the emotional connection between partners, reminding them of the love they have for each other.

9th Anniversary: Lapis Lazuli - Spoil your loved one with the mysterious lapis lazuli, promoting love, happiness, and playfulness. Its deep blue tones mirror your shared adventures after nine years. Symbolizing the effort to keep the romantic flame alive, ensuring your relationship remains exciting.

10th Anniversary: Diamond - Mark a decade of love with the enduring strength and brilliance of diamonds. Diamond jewelry is a traditional symbol of commitment. They signify the unwavering dedication and loyalty that partners have for each other. These precious gems symbolize your unbreakable bond, expressing your deep affection and commitment.

a pair of diamond gold earrings

11th Anniversary: Turquoise - Turquoise, with its green-blue hues, can stimulate creativity and spontaneity. In a relationship, it symbolizes the joy of trying new things and embracing spontaneity together, which can keep the romance alive.

12th Anniversary: Jade - Green jade symbolizes well-being and longevity, reflecting the enduring health of your relationship after 12 years. In a relationship, it symbolizes the desire for a partnership that brings both physical and emotional well-being and stands the test of time. Gift jade jewelry to celebrate your journey toward lasting happiness.

13th Anniversary: Citrine - Radiant citrine, with its joyful yellow-orange color, brings passionate energy and can symbolize the enthusiasm for life that partners share. It reminds couples to approach life with eagerness and energy, creating a vibrant and fulfilling partnership. Its vibrant color mirrors your enduring love and the positive outlook for the future.

a gold, citrine ring and pendant necklace

14th Anniversary: Opal - Opal's depth and complexity of colors can represent the emotional depth of a relationship. It signifies the layers of emotions, experiences, and connections shared between partners after 14 wonderful years.

15th Anniversary: Ruby - Rubies, with their deep passionate red, epitomize love's intensity. It represents the fiery desire and emotional connection that partners share in a romantic relationship. Celebrate your 15 years of marriage by reminding your partner of your passionate commitment with a ruby jewelry gift.

Milestone Anniversary Gifts

Milestone anniversaries allow partners to celebrate their relationship and reflect on the time they've shared.

20th Anniversary: Emerald - This anniversary marks two whole decades of happiness with the love of your life and we want to help you make it so special! This mark means you've withstood trials and kept the flame of your love intact. The emerald is the gemstone that represents a faithful relationship and strong natural connection with a partner! The emerald commands desire and passion, making this the perfect gemstone to gift to your significant other. Emerald is distinguished by its rarity, making it the perfect gift to celebrate your love. Emerald jewelry for a wedding anniversary is a symbol of your uniqueness.

a gold, emerald pendant necklace adorned with small white gemstones

25th Anniversary: Silver Jubilee - A 25th wedding anniversary, often referred to as the "Silver Jubilee," is a remarkable milestone in a couple's journey together. This celebration is a testament to the enduring love, commitment, and strength that the couple has displayed over a quarter-century of shared experiences and challenges. The term "silver" is used because it signifies the preciousness and enduring quality of the relationship, much like the precious metal itself. Just as silver can withstand the test of time without losing its luster, a marriage that reaches 25 years has weathered life's ups and downs while still shining brightly.

30th Anniversary: Pearl - Pearls represent the elegance, wisdom, lustrous love, protection, shared memories, and gratitude that defines a meaningful and enduring relationship. When given as a gift, pearls hold a deep and timeless significance in celebrating love and commitment. Pearls are created by layers which is a wonderful metaphor for the love and memories you have created over these last thirty years. Giving or receiving pearls can symbolize gratitude for the relationship and the moments of love and happiness shared. It's a way of expressing appreciation for the partnership.

a white pearl strand necklace

35th Anniversary: Emerald - Emerald is a gemstone often associated with faithfulness and loyalty. By the 35th anniversary, a couple has shown enduring commitment and devotion to each other, just like the steadfastness of emerald. Just as the emerald's hues represent a strong natural connection, a 35-year marriage reflects a deep and enduring connection between partners. Gifting an emerald on the 35th anniversary symbolizes the enduring love and appreciation partners have for each other. It represents the precious nature of the relationship and the desire to continue nurturing it. emerald is chosen for the 35th wedding anniversary because it symbolizes faithfulness, a strong natural connection, desire, rarity, and the enduring love that partners share after 35 years of marriage.

40th Anniversary: Ruby - Throughout history, rubies have been considered symbols of eternal love. They signify a love that transcends time and remains strong and passionate throughout the years. Ruby's rich color is reminiscent of the deep feelings and romantic love that partners have for each other. It represents the romantic gestures and expressions of love that keep the relationship alive. Ruby encourages partners to express their feelings openly and honestly. It signifies the importance of effective communication and emotional transparency within the relationship. Ruby's captivating beauty makes it an ideal symbol for celebrating love and special milestones within a relationship. It emphasizes the importance of marking and cherishing these moments.

a gold, ruby ring and stud earrings

45th Anniversary: Sapphire - Gifting sapphire jewelry on the 45th Anniversary can symbolize the enduring love and milestones achieved in the relationship. Sapphires are known for their durability. They represent the strength and resilience of a relationship, withstanding challenges and growing even stronger over time. Given as a gift, sapphires carry deep and meaningful symbolism for celebrating and reinforcing the love and commitment between partners.

When do you give an anniversary band?

Anniversary rings or eternity rings are more than just beautiful pieces of jewelry; they are a way to renew and reaffirm one's commitment and love to their partner. It serves as a reminder of the journey the couple has taken together and their ongoing dedication to each other. Typically, anniversary and eternity rings feature a classic band style, which can be adorned with diamond or gemstone accents or crafted as solid gold or platinum bands.

Anniversary rings are often designed for women, some couples opt for matching anniversary bands to mark a special milestone. The design of an anniversary band features a continuous row of gemstones, such as diamonds or other precious stones, set all around the band. This unbroken circle symbolizes the enduring and never-ending nature of the couple's love and commitment. Anniversary band is a meaningful and romantic gesture that symbolizes love, commitment, and the enduring nature of the relationship. It is a beautiful way to celebrate the journey a couple has embarked on together and to look forward to many more years of happiness and togetherness.

two prazana silver and diamond rings

While diamond anniversary bands remain a timeless choice, you'll discover a world of options, including gemstones like emerald, sapphire, ruby, or tanzanite. Consider your spouse's favorite gem or even select stones that correspond to your children's birth months. For a modern twist, mix metals by pairing an anniversary band in yellow or rose gold with a white gold wedding ring.

When it comes to wearing your anniversary ring, there are no rules. Some choose to wear it alongside their wedding and engagement rings, while others prefer the opposite hand's ring finger. Alternatively, you can forgo your engagement and wedding rings, wearing only the anniversary ring.

When is the right time to upgrade your wedding ring?

Couples often consider upgrading their engagement rings after several years of marriage. Milestone anniversaries like the 10th, 20th, 25th, or 50th are popular times to consider upgrading your wedding set. These significant anniversaries often represent decades of commitment and provide an ideal occasion for a meaningful upgrade.

two gold and silver, white gemstone rings

As life unfolds, it's only natural that our preferences and circumstances evolve. The style of your wedding ring that once stole your heart may not reflect your current taste or lifestyle after a decade or more of shared experiences. Giving a new wedding ring as an anniversary gift is a deeply sentimental and meaningful gesture that carries profound symbolism. It represents the ongoing journey of love, commitment, and partnership between two individuals.

Many couples opt to enhance their engagement rings. Whether it's by adding additional stones, upgrading to a more substantial center stone, or embarking on a complete setting transformation, these thoughtful upgrades breathe new life into your cherished symbol of love. There's no set timetable for upgrading your wedding ring or wedding band, but certain significant life events like anniversaries offer an ideal occasion to indulge in a sparkling new treasure. The new wedding ring is not just a piece of jewelry; it's a symbol of new beginnings. It represents the growth and evolution of your relationship, while also honoring the cherished memories and experiences you've shared.
 
Giving a new or upgraded wedding ring as an anniversary gift is a profound expression of love, commitment, and appreciation. It symbolizes the past, present, and future of your relationship, and it's a heartfelt way to celebrate the enduring beauty of your love story.

a thick silver necklace and two silver hoop earrings

The tradition of gifting jewelry on anniversaries has been passed down through generations. It's a way of connecting with the past and continuing a meaningful tradition that has stood the test of time. Jewelry can be a heartfelt expression of love and affection. It symbolizes the depth of feelings and the desire to show appreciation and devotion to a spouse. Shop JTV for an anniversary gift to celebrate, symbolize, and remember the relationship journey you have embarked upon together.

Jessica Kemp

This year, Jessica and her husband celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. For Jessica, marriage holds great significance, and she cherishes the opportunity to celebrate their unique love story with every anniversary.

Read more about Jessica on her author page

jessica kemp
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