Many of the traditional milestone anniversary gifts are jewelry. The best known are diamond for the 10th and 60th, pearl for the 30th, ruby for the 40th, sapphire for the 45th, gold for the 50th and emerald for the 55th. Following the list gives a gift built-in meaning, but it is a starting point rather than a rule. Choose the piece in her metal and style, and let the stone or metal carry the anniversary.
The Milestone Anniversaries
10th: Diamond
The modern list makes the tenth anniversary a diamond year, and it is often the first big jewelry anniversary. Diamond studs, a tennis bracelet or an eternity band are the classic choices. A band works especially well, because it can sit next to her engagement ring and mark the decade. See our stackable rings and lab-grown diamond bracelets.
20th: Platinum
Platinum is dense, durable and naturally white, a fitting symbol for twenty years. Many of the finest diamond rings are set in platinum, often combined with gold, as in our natural fancy yellow diamond rings.
25th: Silver
Silver is the traditional twenty-fifth gift. In fine jewelry, many couples interpret it as white metal and diamonds, which last longer and suit daily wear.
30th: Pearl
Pearls are timeless and suddenly very much in fashion again; they were one of the strongest trends of this year's red carpets, as our Emmys jewelry guide explains. Signed estate pearls have real character, such as these David Webb pearl, diamond and ruby earrings.
35th: Coral or Jade
Coral is the traditional thirty-fifth gift in the United States. Coral appears in some of the most loved estate designs, like this Van Cleef & Arpels Rose de Noël coral brooch.
40th: Ruby
Ruby, the stone of passion, marks forty years. A ruby and diamond band is a beautiful way to mark it alongside a wedding ring, like this oval ruby and diamond stackable band.
45th: Sapphire
Sapphire, one of the hardest gemstones, stands for faithfulness and endurance. A sapphire ring for the right hand or a sapphire band to wear with her wedding ring are both lovely choices. See this blue sapphire halo ring or this channel-set sapphire and diamond band.
50th: Gold
Fifty years is the golden anniversary. A gold piece made to last another fifty, a substantial chain, a bangle or a signed estate piece, is the natural choice. Browse gold chains, bangles and our gold chain guide.
55th: Emerald
Emerald, with its deep green, marks fifty-five years. Emeralds are softer than sapphires and rubies, so for daily wear choose a protective setting or a pendant or earrings rather than a ring.
60th: Diamond
Sixty years is the diamond anniversary in the traditional list. A single exceptional stone, natural or lab-grown, suits the occasion.
A Note on the Lists
There are two lists in common use in the United States: a traditional list and a modern one. They agree on the big milestones, gold for the fiftieth and diamond for the sixtieth, but differ on some earlier years. Where they differ, choose whichever suits her better.
The Early Years
The first anniversaries are traditionally paper, cotton and leather, which are not jewelry, but many couples still mark them with a small piece. A fine gold chain, a pair of studs or an initial necklace from our first gold piece edit is an easy way to start a tradition of adding one piece a year.
Lab-Grown, Natural or Estate
For the diamond anniversaries, both lab-grown and natural diamonds are real diamonds and both honor the tradition. Lab-grown typically costs 60–85% less for the same size and grade, which can mean a larger or brighter stone; natural diamonds carry geological rarity. For the gold, pearl and coral years, estate and signed pieces are worth a look, because they bring design history to a gift that is all about time. Our honest comparison of lab-grown and natural diamonds covers the trade-offs, and our pre-owned and estate jewelry collection has signed pieces from houses like Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels and David Webb.
Do You Have to Follow the List?
No. The lists differ between countries and have changed over the years, and many couples simply choose what they love. The traditional stones are most useful as inspiration, or as a way to give a piece a story. If her birthstone, a favorite color or a stone from her engagement ring means more to her, choose that instead.
How to Choose
- Match her metal and style first. The anniversary stone matters less than whether she will wear it.
- Think about her rings. A band she can wear next to her engagement and wedding rings is one of the most meaningful anniversary gifts there is. Our guide to matching bands explains how to choose one that fits.
- Engrave it. The date and a few words inside a band turn a piece into a keepsake.
- Give yourself time. Some pieces are finished to order, and ring sizing takes time.
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Frequently asked
Which anniversary is the diamond anniversary?
The 60th anniversary is the traditional diamond anniversary, and the modern list also makes the 10th anniversary a diamond year.
What is the gemstone for a 40th anniversary?
Ruby is the traditional gift for a 40th anniversary. Sapphire marks the 45th and emerald the 55th.
What jewelry should I give for a 50th anniversary?
Gold. The 50th is the golden anniversary, so a substantial gold chain, bangle or signed estate gold piece is the natural choice.