List of Wedding Anniversary Gemstones
If your anniversary is coming up, and you’re struggling with what to get your spouse, this article is for you. The beginning of every great marriage includes a set of wedding bands. It shouldn’t be a surprise then that jewelry is the most common gift for wedding anniversaries. In fact, each year is represented by a specific gemstone or metal.
Find out the right anniversary stones and metals by year using our wedding anniversary jewelry guide.
1st Anniversary – Gold Jewelry
The first year of marriage goes by in a heartbeat. The honeymoon stage thrives off of love and little else. Money might be tight as finances are recharged after the wedding, but this is no excuse to skip the first-anniversary gift. The traditional metal option is gold, making gift options cost-effective and versatile. If money is extremely tight, consider getting your gold wedding bands engraved.
Alternate: Peridot
2nd Anniversary – Garnet
Anniversary stones are intentional, which is why the stone for the second year of marriage is another cost-effective one. Garnet is often underrated since it is widely available, but don’t doubt its beauty. This enchanting anniversary stone will add romance to any second anniversary.
3rd Anniversary – Pearls
A classic strand of pearls is as classic as a little black dress. If your significant other doesn’t own a simple pearl necklace yet, the third wedding anniversary is the perfect opportunity. If you’re shopping for a man but still want to go by this list, consider the inlaid mother of pearl. Mother of pearl is available as an accent on everything from flasks to ballpoint pens.
Alternate: Jade
4th Anniversary – Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is a stone of intimacy and affection. Due to modern gemstone enhancements, there are a wide variety of blue shades available like sky blue, London blue, and swiss blue. Because Topaz is considered durable, any piece of blue topaz jewelry will last for decades to come.
Alternate: Blue Zircon
5th Anniversary – Sapphire
The five-year anniversary is the first benchmarker for any marriage, which is why this is where we see the first precious gemstone on the list. At this stage, an anniversary band could be a welcomed addition that your spouse would wear in addition to their wedding set. Since large sapphires can rival the cost of diamonds, opting for smaller set sapphires in a band will also save you a lot of money.
Alternate: Pink Tourmaline
6th Anniversary – Amethyst
While amethyst is beautiful, some might find that the deep purple tones don’t look great against their skin tone. If that’s the case, opt for a softer lesser-known green amethyst variety. Green amethyst is more expensive than purple amethyst, but both are considered affordable gemstones.
Alternate: Turquoise
7th Anniversary – Onyx
Bless your lucky seven-year anniversary with some onyx. Onyx is an opaque black stone that can be transformed into any style of jewelry imaginable. Antique onyx offers an heirloom feel whereas modern onyx keeps up with the latest trends in jewelry. Regardless of the style, the sleek black stone will become a staple in your spouse’s jewelry box.
Alternates: Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl
8th Anniversary – Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a stone that’s hard not to love, probably because it comes in so many colors. There is a rainbow to choose from when shopping for a tourmaline, many of which you may even find in a single stone. Despite its popularity, this stone is still not as widely known as others. Learn more about this eighth-anniversary gemstone.
Alternate: Tanzanite
9th Anniversary – Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a healing stone used by many in meditation and chakra practices. Its celestial nature is often associated with wisdom and intuition which are two characteristics that would be welcomed into any marriage. Though many lapis jewelry pieces will have a bohemian style, more modern designers are incorporating this deep blue stone into their designs.
Alternates: Amethyst, Green Spinel
10th Anniversary – Diamond Jewelry
Congratulations! You made it to your 10th wedding anniversary. Now’s the perfect time to bring your relationship full circle with another diamond addition. This doesn’t have to be in the form of an anniversary band. Try to think outside the box. A piece of jewelry that your spouse would wear most often would be best — perhaps a pair of diamond stud earrings or a pendant necklace?
Alternate: Blue Sapphire
11th – 20th Anniversary Stones
11th Anniversary – Turquoise
Did you know there is more than just South Western style turquoise with all the veining? Seek out antique Persian Turquoise pieces for an heirloom-quality piece of jewelry.
Alternates: Citrine, Yellow Zircon
12th Anniversary – Jade
Jade comes in two forms, the less expensive nephrite, and the more expensive jadeite version. Jade is most prized when it is has a translucent and consistent shade of rich emerald green.
Alternate: Opal
13th Anniversary – Citrine
If you’ve always loved the color yellow, citrine might be the prettiest yellow gemstone option on the market. Its soft glow and wonderful clarity make this stone an exceptional anniversary gift option.
Alternates: Moonstone, Hawk’s Eye
14th Anniversary – Opal
While opal is fragile, it is worth the extra care to keep it in good condition. Why? Because it is one of the most enchanting gemstones available. It’s a myth that you should only give opal as a gift, but why not?
Alternates: Agate, Bloodstone
15th Anniversary – Ruby
You’ll notice that all the important anniversaries are accompanied by an equally important anniversary stone or metal. The 15th wedding anniversary is linked with none other than precious ruby.
Alternates: Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite
16th Anniversary – Peridot (evening emerald)
Peridot is both the birthstone of August and the anniversary stone for the 16th wedding anniversary. Don’t underestimate the beauty of peridot, even if the lime green initially isn’t your taste.
Seek out a deeper, more olive shade for a nice alternative.
Alternate: Red Spinel
17th Anniversary – Watches
Not everything on the anniversary stone’s list is directly connected to gemstones. For the 17th anniversary, treat your spouse to a nice watch (with a jeweled movement).
Alternate: Carnelian
18th Anniversary – Cat’s Eye or Chrysoberyl
Cat’s eye isn’t a common gemstone by any means, but it is one that you’ll love if you love star sapphires or rubies.
Alternate: Aquamarine
19th Anniversary – Aquamarine
Aquamarine has been a favorite among jewelry collectors for centuries. The soft ocean-like tones have guided sailors across turbulent seas and have been calmness and forgiveness.
Alternate: Almandine Garnet
20th Anniversary – Emerald
Like the other precious gemstones on this list, the emerald makes an appearance more than once. Based on that, it’s safe to say it’s wise to own more than one piece of emerald jewelry. We’re not complaining.
Alternate: Yellow or Golden Diamond
21st – 30th Anniversary Stones
If you’ve made it this far, your marriage has withstood the test of time and hopefully collected some unique gemstone specimens along the way. Get creative with some of these less common gemstones for the third decade of your marriage.
21st Anniversary – Iolite
22nd Anniversary – Spinel
23rd Anniversary – Imperial Topaz
24th Anniversary – Tanzanite
25th Anniversary – Silver Jubilee
Alternates: Tsavorite, Green Garnet
30th Anniversary – Pearl Jubilee
35th – 55th Anniversary Stones
At this point in your marriage, this list celebrates milestones further and further apart, but on the anniversaries that are listed, the gemstones are rarer and in effect, more expensive. We’ll see the reappearance of precious gemstones and even get a look at alexandrite for the 55th wedding anniversary.
35th Anniversary – Emerald
40th Anniversary – Ruby
45th Anniversary – Sapphire
Alternate: Cat’s Eye
50th Anniversary – Golden Jubilee
Alternate: Imperial or Golden Topaz
55th Anniversary – Alexandrite
60th – 80th Anniversary Stones
These anniversaries are rare which is why they are each accompanied with a coined gemstone phrase. Make sure these pieces of jewelry are special and heirloom-worthy, a celebration of a marriage that can be passed down for many generations.
60th Anniversary – Diamond Jubilee
Alternate: Star Ruby
65th Anniversary – Blue Spinel
70th Anniversary – Sapphire Jubilee
Alternate: Smoky Quartz
75th Anniversary – Diamond Jubilee
80th Anniversary – Ruby Jubilee