Which Jewelry Should I Gift for Which Anniversary Year?

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With over 50 years in the jewelry business, we know that a good anniversary gift is one that comes from the heart. In our anniversary gift guide, we’ll look at how the tradition of gifting for anniversaries got started and which jewelry traditionally corresponds with which year. Whether you’re in the market for a gift to mark your first or your fiftieth anniversary, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our suggestions of what makes a show-stopping anniversary gift for your partner.

Are Anniversary Gifts Traditional?

Marking the date of your wedding each year is an important celebration for many couples, and one that can be traced back to medieval Europe. Back then it was traditional for a husband to present his wife with a silver wreath for her hair on their 25th anniversary and a gold one on their 50th.

The idea of gold and silver anniversaries is now commonplace, but this original tradition has also expanded and today, couples often mark the intervening years. Larger celebrations are typical for milestones like 5, 10, 15, and 20, years through to truly exceptional dates like 40, 50 or even 80 years of marriage.

Much like Birthstones and their use in gifts to mark births and birthdays, precious jewelry to mark anniversaries has prospered and grown, with different precious materials attributed to each year. Many will have heard of anniversary bands, but you may not know that there is a list of traditional metals and gemstones associated with each year of marriage.

Over the years, we’ve helped many anxious partners find the perfect anniversary gift to wow their significant other. If you are looking for an anniversary gift for your partner that will have them feeling as loved as the day you said I do, read on. We have recommendations for years 1 through 10 as well as milestones like 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50.

1st Anniversary - Go for Gold

Gold traditionally marks the 50th wedding anniversary. But with lovely symmetry it is also the traditional jewelry gift for relatively newly married couples marking their first year together. For couples in their first year of marriage that may have significant outlays building their life together, we often recommend 9K or beautiful gold vermeil for this anniversary for a budget-friendly choice.

2nd Anniversary - Red for the heart

Tying in with the red theme for this anniversary, garnet is the traditional gemstone for the second year of marriage with its rich deep color. Red is the color of love, friendship, and matters of the heart, making jewelry adorned with fiery red stones the go-to choice for couples marking two years of marriage.

A stunning Claddagh set with a fiery red stone would be fitting gift for those marking 2 years married.

3rd Anniversary - White for pure love

Red is followed by white for those marking their third loved-up year together. Crystal is often a go-to gift for this anniversary, but jewelry adorned with sparkling white CZ, lustrous white pearls or iridescent mother of pearl are also very popular choices.

A lustrous, creamy white pearl combined with the beautiful meaning of the Celtic Tree of Life makes this pendant a popular choice for gifts year-round and an especially symbolic choice for a third anniversary representing family, connection, growth and good fortune. Earrings that combine creamy iridescent Mother of Pearl and Trinity knots, known to many as Celtic Love Knots, also make for a beautiful and romantic choice. And for those that can’t choose between these two beautiful symbols, a sparkling CZ-adorned bangle combines the Tree of Life and the Trinity Knot.

4th Anniversary - Blue for deep emotion

Couple’s marking their fourth anniversary typically go for blue tones that tie in with the traditional gemstone for this year - blue topaz. Blue is the color of emotion that runs deep, so many choose jewelry set with blue stones for this anniversary.

5th Anniversary - Sapphire, for a wise and precious love

Just like your partner, sapphire is precious. Believed to represent wisdom, virtue and good fortun,e it’s no surprise that a sapphire gift marks five years together. Sapphire is the Birthstone for lucky September babies. Typically blue, sapphires can also come in many other hues with the exception of red - red "sapphire" is better known as ruby!

You could also be inspired by the traditional flower for this anniversary in your jewlery choice, the daisy.

6th Anniversary - Amethyst for protection

The majestic purple hues of amethyst are one of the traditional gifts for those marking their 6th anniversary. Gem lore attributes this regal gemstone with protective properties - so a fitting gift for those celebrating a six-year strong marriage that also provides protection and support.

7th Anniversary - Grounding onyx

Handsome onyx is the traditional gemstone for those celebrating their 7th anniversary. The ancient Romans believed onyx bestowed courage, while in Chinese culture, it was considered grounding for its wearer. Renaissance Europeans wore onyx for eloquence, and it was used to give strength to expectant mothers in childbirth! A hardwearing stone that makes a statement, especially when paired with strong Celtic symbols, onyx is ideal for men's and women's jewelry, and makes a fine 7th anniversary gift.

8th Anniversary - Burnished bronze

The traditional anniversary gift for those 8 years married is bronze, an ancient symbol of strength and a material that is stronger than the sum of its parts. Although it is a strong metal, bronze isn't suitable for daily wear in jewelry given the copper in it can cause discoloration. Rich, warm rose gold is an admirable and more modern alternative gift for those looking to mark 8 years.

9th Anniversary - Lapis Lazuli

Found in the tombs of pharaohs and mentioned in the bible, lapis lazuli is treasured for its deep and varied blue color and was prized more highly than gold. Said to foster wisdom, healing and inner calm, this heavenly stone is also durable and heard wearing, perfect for use in jewelry for men and women. A striking and symbolic gift for those marking their 9th anniversary

10th Anniversary - A decade that dazzles like diamond.

Tha traditional gift for marking a decade of mariage is dazzling diamond. Gifting your partner a diamond is a romantic reminder of your wedding day ten years ago. As the hardest of all precious gemstones but also arguably one of the most beautiful, diamond is a symbolic and fitting match for a celebration of ten years. After a decade together, a diamond represents the durability of your commitment and the clarity of your vows.

In our experience, many couples go all out for their 10 year anniversary, adding a diamond set ring to their collection. We have a wide selection of diamond rings with lovely sentiment and symbolism perfect for such a romantic gesture.

15th Anniversary - Roses are red and Rubies are too.

The choice of royalty for centuries, the 15th Anniversary is the year of the ruby. It is also the Birthstone for July and is second only to the diamond in the hardness stakes. Ruby is treasured for its fiery red color and has a long association with passion and love. Some legends suggest that a ruby ring brings good luck when worn on the left hand. The fiery spark of a ruby is enchanting, just like your partner. They will know the passion is alive and well with a dazzling ruby representing fifteen wonderful years.

20th Anniversary - sacred emerald of the goddess Venus-Aphrodite

The brilliant depth of an emerald and its unique jardin is a fitting allegory for the intricacies of a relationship that spans twenty years of marriage. Sacred stones of the goddess Venus-Aphrodite, the goddess of love, emeralds have been a symbol of life, love and vitality for thousands of years, and they are the traditional gift for those marking their 25th anniversary.

Emerald jewelry from the emerald isle is a unique piece to mark 20 years. Whether it's a ring, necklace or earring, they are sure to beam with delight when they see one of our emerald treasures.

25th Anniversary: Sterling Silver to stand the test of time.

As we saw right at the start of this guide, Sterling silver is the gift of choice when celebrating a 25th Anniversary. The brilliance and durability of polished Sterling silver reflects the vibrancy and strength of a quart of a century of married life. Sterling Silver is one of the most durable metals, and the variety of designs available means you can customize to your heart's content with this choice.

We recommend engraving your Sterling Silver 25th Anniversary Gift for that added special touch. Consider a phrase, date or set of initials to make a truly-one-a-kind treasure. Looking for a uniquely Irish element? Consider Ogham, the ancient Irish “tree” alphabet, for your own secret message to share.

30th Anniversary - Pearls of wisdom

A marriage that thrives for 30 years is sure to bestow wisdom on the partners making pearl a fitting traditional gift for this anniversary. Perfect and rare pearls are associated with honesty and purity and have been prized for thousands of years in jewelry.

40th Anniversary - so nice ruby goes twice

The 40th anniversary is all about ruby. For those that didn't get their ruby fix on their 15th anniversary, after nearly half a century together, 40 years married is all about ruby. The traditional and modern gifts, the color, it is all ruby. And what a fitting stone for a lasting love that has burned bright for 40 years.

50th Anniversary - The Golden Year

Reaching 50 years of marriage, the golden year, is no easy feat. Congratulations to all the inspirational couples marking this impressive milestone. A marriage that has lasted 50 years is as precious as gold and so the is year is all about that coveted metal. It is gold for both traditional and modern gifts, the traditional hue and even the traditional gemstone, even though it is not a gemstone.

After building a life together over 50 years, a piece of gold jewelry hand-crafted with your own family coat of arms is a fitting tribute. Representing eternity and unity, a gold Celtic knot is another fitting symbol for 50 years of marriage. And, of course, the Claddagh, representing love, loyalty and friendship, embodies the traits that go into a relationship that spans half a century.

Get in Touch

After all that, it is easy to see why Irish and Celtic jewelry is uniquely suited to anniversary gifts with romantic symbols and meaningful designs perfect for the occasion. We are here to help should you need help selecting that perfect anniversary gift. Just send us an email or give us a call.