Anniversary Gemstones by Year

When searching for the perfect wedding anniversary gift, turning to jewelry and gemstones can give you the inspiration you need for a thoughtful gift that symbolizes much more than just your love for your partner. This list of anniversary gemstones by year gives you the recommendations you need to find the perfect gift to celebrate every anniversary.

1st Anniversary: Gold

The 1st anniversary is the first celebration in many of a hopefully long and happy marriage. Gold, while not a gemstone, is a traditional metal recommended for couples celebrating their first year of marriage. With endless possibilities, you can find the perfect gold jewelry piece for your partner, whether it's a beautiful pair of gold earrings, a bracelet, or a ring. 

2nd Anniversary: Garnet

For the 2nd anniversary, the red garnet is a truly romantic choice symbolizing the color of love and passion. The gemstone garnet can vary in hues from yellows to oranges to greens, but the deep red garnet is the traditional choice for jewelry. 

3rd Anniversary: Pearl

Pearls symbolize beauty and faith and are the traditional gemstone for the 3rd anniversary gift. Natural pearls are soft and found in mollusks, but you can find just as beautiful options in cultured pearls. These luminescent stones are found in various colors and come in various styles, from classic strands to elegant earrings. 

4th Anniversary: Blue Topaz

Blue topaz is an exquisite stone, once considered a rare find in nature. The stone is now treated with heating and irradiation to bring out brilliant blue hues, making it more readily available for those wanting to gift their loved ones the blue topaz. These beautiful stones come in various blues, from lighter blue shades to deep blues. The blue topaz symbolizes communication and love and is the 4th wedding anniversary gift. 

5th Anniversary: Sapphire

There's no denying the beauty of the brilliant sapphire stone, the traditional gemstone gift for the 5th wedding anniversary. While this stone also comes in many variations of color, you'll more than likely find jewelry made from the brilliant blue gemstone. Sapphires are naturally hard, durable, and long-lasting, mirroring the bond between you and your partner. 

6th Anniversary: Amethyst

The amethyst gemstone features a glassy luster, usually sought out in beautiful purple hues, but can be found in reddish or blueish tones. For your 6th anniversary, you can give your partner this unique stone found in all jewelry styles to add a beautiful pop of color to any outfit and to cherish for years to come.

7th Anniversary: Onyx

The onyx gemstones' deep and powerful black hues are made from a durable type of quartz and are often used in men's jewelry. The blacks can be paired with diamond accents, brilliant white metal, or any combination of gemstones for a bold and stunning 7th anniversary gift. 

8th Anniversary: Tourmaline

As a traditional 8th anniversary gift, the tourmaline gemstone is the ideal gift for your partner, no matter their favorite color. This gemstone is made from crystalline silicate minerals. It is found in just about any color, from bright pinks to emerald greens to violets. You can even find color variations of multitoned gems, such as the popular watermelon tourmaline with a red center fading to a green similar to that of a watermelon. 

9th Anniversary: Lapis Lazuli

The deep blue hues of the lapis lazuli are truly mesmerizing and a rare, gorgeous gemstone that can only be mined in Afghanistan. The more solid the blues, the more prized the lapis lazuli; however, flecks of gold can create a beautiful effect similar to the stars in the night sky. Jewelry made with lapis lazuli is a stunning gift for your partner on your 9th wedding anniversary. 

10th Anniversary: Diamond

Your tenth anniversary is a major milestone in your marriage. Being together for ten years is no easy feat, and what better way to celebrate than with an anniversary gift of one of the most sought-after gemstones, the diamond. The classic, illustrious diamond is used in exquisite jewelry in unique and delicate patterns creating a timeless, durable piece your partner can enjoy as your marriage lasts throughout the years to come. 

11th Anniversary: Turquoise

As you approach your 11th wedding anniversary, you'll want to embrace the beautiful greenish-blue hues of the classic turquoise gemstone. Traditionally used in bold statement pieces, turquoise can be found in a variety of greenish-bluish shades and has been used in jewelry for centuries. Depending on your partner's style, go for the big, bold pieces or a nice subtle turquoise ring.  

12th Anniversary: Jade

Jade has been a popular gemstone known for its ornate carvings, statues, and ornaments throughout China and Japan's history. This beautiful stone, known for its hues in green, is the wedding anniversary gift for the 12th year of marriage. You can often find this stone carved into beads used in jewelry and pendants, and jade rings. 

13: Anniversary: Citrine

For your 13th wedding anniversary, the gemstone gift is citrine, a luminous yellow/gold gemstone that goes well with any design. This brilliant gemstone can seemingly brighten any room and is like a little burst of sunshine when wearing the stone on earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, or a ring. 

14th Anniversary: Opal

The 14th wedding anniversary gemstone is traditionally the opal. You'll mostly find the unique iridescence of the opal in a creamy white color that gives off flashes of rainbow colors as it's hit with light. It can make any jewelry stand out and draw the eyes to its undeniable beauty. 

15th Anniversary: Ruby

The fiery red ruby has been a symbol of love for centuries. After fifteen years of marriage, a ruby jewelry piece is just a gift to show your partner the deep love and affection you feel and is a true representation of the strength of your marriage. 

16th Anniversary: Peridot

The 16th wedding anniversary gemstone gift is the peridot, a gorgeous green gemstone in a variety of shades but most often adored in softer, light grassy greens. This soft gem goes well with any metals and is on the softer side, so you'll have to take care of these stones. 

17th Anniversary: Carnelian

Made from the silica mineral chalcedony, the carnelian gemstone is a gemstone that ranges from a pale orange to a rich red. This warm, vibrant stone is the gemstone of the 17th wedding anniversary gift, perfect in a stunning pendant, a bracelet of carnelian beads, or a beautifully crafted ring. 

18th Anniversary: Cat's Eye

One of the most unique gemstones, the cat's eye features a straight line through the stone that, when the light catches, looks similar to the eyes of a cat. For your 18th wedding anniversary, you'll want to find your partner jewelry made with the cat's eye. 

19th Anniversary: Aquamarine

The aquamarine gemstone is recognized as a symbol of hope and loyalty. In your 19th year of marriage, you're approaching another major milestone that undoubtedly could not have been reached without the deep love and loyalty you share with your partner. 

20th Anniversary: Emerald 

A timeless classic, the emerald is a gorgeous green gemstone and is the perfect gift to celebrate your 20th anniversary, a major milestone in your long and healthy marriage. The emerald is a precious stone and one of the most favored gifts throughout history, creating a special moment for you and your partner as you exchange gifts. 

21st Anniversary: Iolite

The iolite gemstone is a beautiful violet-blue shade and is the anniversary gemstone of the 21st year of marriage. Any jewelry with this beautiful gemstone is sure to bring your partner joy. 

22nd Anniversary: Spinel

Spinel, one of the anniversary gemstones that doesn't get talked about enough, comes in many colors ranging from reds to purples to the darkest of blacks. This stone offers a variety of colors and options for a 22nd anniversary gift and is long-lasting and affordable. 

24th Anniversary: Tanzanite

On your 24th anniversary, gift your partner a tanzanite gemstone, one of the younger stones in circulation discovered in the late 1960s. The brilliant blue and purple hues are often brought out through heat treatment and are the star of any jewelry piece you choose for your partner.

25th Anniversary: Silver Jubilee

As you celebrate your 25th anniversary, you can enjoy searching for a gift of silver, providing you with endless possibilities. A silver chain link ring, necklace, or stunning silver earrings could fit your partner as you celebrate a quarter of a century as a happily married couple. 

30th Anniversary: Pearl Jubilee

Celebrating 30 years together is a momentous occasion worthy of a meaningful gift of pearls. The stunning, classic pearl makes another appearance on the anniversary gemstone list for the perfect 30th anniversary gift, and it's no surprise why. Pearls are created over time and are a great symbol of how your love has grown and evolved throughout your marriage.

35th Anniversary: Emerald

For your 35th anniversary, you can commemorate a significant part of your life spent with your best friend, soul mate, and life partner with a gift of emerald. This bright green gemstone is always sure to excite, and you can't go wrong with any piece of emerald jewelry.

40th Anniversary: Ruby

A gift made from the striking, deep red ruby is a time-honored way to celebrate such a momentous occasion that is forty years of love and marriage. The ruby has been a classic symbol of love and affection. It can be an incredible gift to show your affection and commitment to your partner. 

50th Anniversary: Golden Jubilee

As you and your partner honor 50 years of marriage together, what better way to celebrate than by exchanging gifts in gold. You can reminisce about the years together in this shared life with a gift to bring you back to that first anniversary. 

55th Anniversary: Alexandrite

For your 55th anniversary, there's no better stone than the dramatic alexandrite. The remarkable alexandrite changes from a purplish red to a teal blue depending on how the light hits the stone that, creates a truly unique effect.

60th Anniversary: Diamond

As you celebrate the strength of your bond, the resilient diamond is the perfect wedding anniversary gift as you enter your 60th year of marriage. Diamonds truly stand the test of time, similar to your marriage, as a symbol of your love.  

75th Anniversary: Sapphire

The sapphire is the anniversary gemstone of the 75th anniversary, coming back around after 70 years. Celebrate with a unique gift of sapphire by straying from the traditional blues and opting for a pink, yellow, or green stone.

80th Anniversary: Ruby

The ruby gemstone is a symbol of the beautiful and peaceful life you've shared with your partner over an amazing 80 years of marriage. Celebrate with your partner by surprising them with a ruby to commemorate this incredible and rare milestone.

Celebrating an anniversary is a joyous occasion that allows you to reconnect and reminisce with your partner over the years you've spent in your marriage. While gemstones are always a great gift, there are many other traditional and unique gifts to consider unique to your partner's personality. Show them you know them the best by browsing for the perfect gift at Forever Anniversary.