It’s your anniversary and you want to gift something meaningful to your beloved. Anniversary gift lists are filled with suggested presents, such as paper for the first year, or pottery for nine years of marriage, but did you know that there are also gemstones associated with each anniversary? Similar to birthstones that align with the month of your birth, anniversary gemstones align with the number of years you’re married, or have been together. What does that mean? It means that you have another option for anniversary gifting — jewelry that showcases the gem that represents your anniversary year.
The origins of anniversary gemstones are a bit murky, but it seems that the custom started in ancient times and gained traction in Medieval Europe, when people believed (many still do) that gemstones held magical powers that could be helpful in daily life. The gems were thought to be chosen because the metaphysical properties of the stones allegedly represent the various stages of marriage as it evolves and grows over time often symbolizing prosperity and good luck.
It was, of course the Victorians who really popularized anniversary gems. The Victorians were a romantic bunch, but they lived in a society with strict rules of social conduct, which meant that they were not free to shout their feelings from the rooftops. Instead, Victorians became very adept at expressing their emotions through symbols, such as gemstones. Then, in 1937, the American National Retail Jewelers Association published a guide to anniversary gems, formalizing the tradition and connecting specific gemstones to each year. Let’s take a look at some key anniversaries to discover the gemstone associated with each year.
First Anniversary
Traditionally paper was associated with the first anniversary. Although not a gemstone, gold is associated with the first anniversary because it represents prosperity and the value of a new shared life. Gold is often seen as a sacred metal due to its association with the sun Gods in ancient times. It is related not only to financial prosperity, but also the abundance of a good relationship.
Second Anniversary
Cotton is the material connected to the second anniversary. The gemstone is garnet which symbolizes passion, love and devotion, three feelings that may become deeper over the years. When we think of garnet, we always think of red, but there are also orange varieties, and green stones as well. Red is the most abundant color and are very affordable. Green demantoid garnets are the rarest and are sometimes found in vintage jewelry and due to their rarity they can be quite pricey, tsavorite garnet is another green garnet that is more readily available at a reasonable price.
Third Anniversary
Leather is the original gift assigned to year three anniversaries and the gemstone is pearl, for purity, wisdom and honesty, three characteristics that make a marriage stronger over time. Pearls come in many types and colors from large Golden South Sea pearls to the mysterious black pearls of Tahiti and classic akoya pearls, these ocean treasures are one of the most beloved of all gems. Pearl is also the gem for the 30th wedding anniversary.
Fourth Anniversary
Year four states that the gift should be flowers or fruits. Blue topaz is associated with the fourth anniversary and with communication. Good communication leads to a better understanding between partners and that creates a more harmonious marriage. You can go for a piece of jewelry with blue topaz, or choose a vintage floral or fruit themed jewel for your beloved, giving you many sparkling options for an anniversary gift.
Fifth Anniversary
Wood is suggested for the fifth anniversary. The gem sapphire, one of the most popular stones marks the fifth anniversary. Sapphires are said to bring loyalty, wisdom and faithfulness to a marriage, all of which help to deepen trust. While we think of sapphires as being blue, this gem comes in several colors with pink, yellow or green easily available, allowing you to choose your partner’s favorite hue. You’ll also find jewelry made from wood often embellished with precious metals or gemstones. Sapphire is also the gemstone for the 45th anniversary.
Sixth Anniversary
The traditional sixth anniversary gift is iron, so it’s a good thing that the gemstone is the very lovely amethyst. It comes in a range of purple hues from lavender to violet. For centuries amethyst was associated with royalty and divinity. It has been in the jewelry collections of both royals and the clergy. When large finds were made in Brazil in the 1800s, amethyst became more readily available to anyone with a penchant for purple. Amethyst represents stability and tranquility, two features everyone wants in a marriage.
Seventh Anniversary
Copper is the original sixth anniversary gift and inky black onyx is the gemstone. Onyx is often found in jewelry from the Art Deco period. The intensity of black onyx contrasted with other colors to create dramatic effect. The gem is associated with protection, strength and resilience, all of which are considered attributes that will help to build a strong marriage. Men’s jewelry often features onyx as well.
Eighth Anniversary
Typically, bronze is the gift for the eighth anniversary and you can sometimes find jewelry made from that metal. The gem is tourmaline, a stone that comes in a range of colors and that happens to be mined in Brazil, parts of Africa and in the U.S. in Maine and California. One of the most renowned tourmalines is the Paraiba Tourmaline, which is a particular shade of bluish green that comes from the Paraiba mines in Brazil. Watermelon tourmaline which is pink with a green “rind” around it, is also a unique form of this gem which is frequently found in luscious shades of pink or green.
Ninth Anniversary
Pottery is the conventional gift to mark nine years. The gem is lapis lazuli, a richly colored blue opaque stone frequently with gold flecks or veining that are created by pyrite as the stone is forming. Lapis is linked to truth, wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. It is said to promote wisdom between couples due to shared life experiences. It is frequently found cut into cabochons or beads, or even carved into objets d’art.
Tenth Anniversary
Tin is the anniversary gift for the tenth anniversary, but its gemstone is the sparkling diamond, which is symbolic of lasting love and commitment. A diamond anniversary band that can be stacked with other rings or worn on its own is sure to be a welcome gift. Diamonds are one of the hardest substances on earth making them perfect for everyday wear and of course they sparkle like no other gemstone. It is also the gem for the 60th wedding anniversary, if you’re lucky enough to be married for that long.
Fifteenth Anniversary
Glass is known as the fifteenth anniversary gift and the gem is ruby, a stone that is about passion, protection and high energy. In Sanskrit ruby is called ratnaraj, which translates to “king of gems” and it is one of the most desired of all gemstones, with some of the finest rubies coming from Myanmar (formerly Burma). During the Middle Ages in Europe, people believed that wearing ruby guaranteed a life of good health, prosperity, wisdom and success in love. Ruby is also the gem for the 40th anniversary.
Twentieth Anniversary
China is the traditional gift, while emerald is the gemstone connected to the twentieth anniversary. With their lush green color, emeralds are indicative of growth, renewal and deep, lasting love. Some of the first emeralds were mined in ancient Egypt and Cleopatra was known to covet the green gem. The mines in Colombia produce some of the most prized emeralds, due to their particularly desirable color. It is also the gemstone for the 35th wedding anniversary.
Twenty-fifth Anniversary
Silver is associated with the 25th anniversary. It is a metal that is associated with “the best”, such as a sterling reputation. One of the really cool features of silver is that it develops a patina over time that enhances its beauty, the same way the beauty of a long lasting marriage is enhanced through the years by love that grows deeper over time.
Fiftieth Anniversary
Gold rolls back around for the fiftieth anniversary, with the precious metal representing the value of a lasting marriage. The gemstone associated with this anniversary is also in that color range: Imperial topaz. Rare, imperial topaz, which ranges from pink to peach and orange to golden brown is sometimes found in antique or vintage jewelry. It got its name from a find made in the Ural Mountains of Russia during the 1800s. The czars owned the mines and so the stone became known as imperial topaz because the gems were reserved for use by the royal family exclusively.
Gifting gemstone jewelry that coincides with an anniversary is a great way to build a personalized jewelry collection filled with meaning. Jewelry is a lasting gift that will be treasured for years to come and it’s a great way to say, “I love you”.
Top of Page: Pixabay, Courtesy Solie Jordan.
Authored by Amber Michelle