Few gifts say "I would choose you all over again" like a piece of fine jewelry. For generations, couples have marked their wedding anniversaries with gemstones, each one carrying its own meaning. This guide walks through the gemstone associated with every anniversary year, the milestone celebrations that matter most, and how to choose a piece that will last as long as the marriage it honors.
One note before the list: there is no single official anniversary gemstone list. The version most jewelers follow was formalized by the National Jewelers Association (now Jewelers of America) in 1937, which assigned gifts to each of the first twenty years and to every fifth year after that. Some years have more than one traditional stone, so think of this as a well-established guide rather than a strict rule.
Where the tradition comes from
The custom traces back to medieval Germany, where couples marked twenty-five and fifty years of marriage with silver and gold wreaths - the origins of the Silver and Golden Jubilees. During the Victorian era, the idea of attaching a material or gemstone to each year took hold, and in 1937, it was formalized into the list most jewelers still use today. The logic is lovely: early years are marked by softer, more affordable stones, while the later milestones call for the rarest and most enduring gems, mirroring a bond that has only grown stronger.
Anniversary gemstones: years 1 to 15
The first fifteen years each have their own stone. Here is the widely accepted list.
| Year | Gemstone | What it symbolizes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Gold | Prosperity and a bright beginning |
| 2nd | Garnet | Passion and devotion |
| 3rd | Pearl | Purity and quiet strength |
| 4th | Blue topaz | Calm and lasting loyalty |
| 5th | Sapphire | Faithfulness and sincerity |
| 6th | Amethyst | Clarity and contentment |
| 7th | Onyx | Steadiness and resolve |
| 8th | Tourmaline | Understanding and balance |
| 9th | Lapis lazuli | Harmony and trust |
| 10th | Diamond | Enduring, unbreakable love |
| 11th | Turquoise | Good fortune and protection |
| 12th | Jade | Wisdom and prosperity |
| 13th | Citrine | Joy and warmth |
| 14th | Opal | Faithful, ever-changing love |
| 15th | Ruby | Passion and a deepening bond |
Milestone anniversaries: 20 years and beyond
After the twentieth year, tradition celebrates every fifth anniversary. These are the milestones most couples mark with a significant piece.
| Year | Gemstone | Also known as |
|---|---|---|
| 20th | Emerald | - |
| 25th | Silver | Silver Jubilee |
| 30th | Pearl | Pearl Jubilee |
| 35th | Emerald | Coral is the traditional alternative |
| 40th | Ruby | - |
| 45th | Sapphire | - |
| 50th | Gold | Golden Jubilee |
| 55th | Emerald | Alexandrite in some lists |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond Jubilee |
Below, we look more closely at the four gemstones that anchor the biggest milestones - diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald - plus gold, and how to choose a piece for each.
Diamond: the 10th and 60th anniversaries
The diamond is the hardest natural material on earth, which is exactly why it marks both a decade of marriage and the extraordinary sixtieth-year Diamond Jubilee. For a tenth anniversary, a diamond eternity band is the classic gift - an unbroken circle of stones for an unbroken commitment. For a sixtieth, nothing says six decades like a true statement piece, such as a round brilliant diamond tennis necklace. Browse the full range in our loose diamond collection.
Sapphire: the 5th and 45th anniversaries
Sapphire symbolizes faithfulness and sincerity, which is why it marks both the fifth year and the remarkable forty-fifth. Its deep blue is timeless, though sapphires also come in pink, yellow, and other colors. A sapphire and diamond halo ring makes an elegant fifth-anniversary gift, while a sapphire and diamond halo pendant is a refined way to honor forty-five years. See more in our sapphire collection.
Ruby: the 15th and 40th anniversaries
Often called the gemstone of love, the ruby's fiery red marks fifteen years of passion and the deep-red Ruby Anniversary at forty. A pair of ruby and diamond halo earrings is a warm fifteenth-anniversary gift, while a ruby and diamond tennis bracelet is a true statement for forty years together.
Emerald: the 20th, 35th, and 55th anniversaries
The lush green emerald appears at several milestones and symbolizes renewal and steady growth. Fine emeralds are rarer and more individual than most stones, so the right one is worth seeking out. Emeralds are one of our specialties, and because each stone is unique, the best way to find a matched pair or a center stone is through our custom design service, where we can source the color and quality you want and build the setting around it, with a 3D preview before anything is made.
Gold: the 1st and 50th anniversaries
Gold opens the journey at year one and crowns it at the Golden Jubilee, fifty years on. Warm yellow gold has come back strongly in fine jewelry, and it pairs beautifully with fancy yellow diamonds, a specialty of ours. A fancy yellow diamond ring in 18K yellow gold is a golden way to mark either milestone. Explore more in our yellow diamond collection.
How to choose the right anniversary piece
A few thoughts to help you land on the right gift:
Match the stone to the milestone, then to the person
The traditional gemstone is a beautiful starting point, but the best gift suits how your partner actually dresses and what they will wear. A daily-wear pendant, statement earrings, and a ring all carry the same meaning in very different ways.
Think about durability for everyday pieces
Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are all hard and well-suited to daily wear. Softer stones like opal and pearl are better for occasional pieces, such as earrings or pendants, rather than rings.
Consider an upgrade or a custom design
Major milestones like the tenth, twenty-fifth, and fiftieth are popular moments to upgrade a center stone or design something entirely new. Our custom design service can rework an existing piece or create one around the anniversary gemstone of your choice.
Every diamond we sell is natural and earth-mined, and our loose stones are GIA certified, so you always know exactly what you are giving. Whatever year you are celebrating, the best way to choose is to see the stones in person, where their color and life come through. Browse our engagement and anniversary rings, or come compare pieces with us.
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