“It doesn’t matter where you go in life, what you do ….. it’s who you have beside you.”
“We have changed over the years, but the sparkle in your eyes isas bright as ever, and my love for you is even stronger.”
The custom of celebrating what was once referred to as the “anniversary wedding” can be traced back to the Victorian era.
Traditional tells us that each wedding anniversary should be celebrated by giving your loved one a gift made from a different material.
Emily Post wrote In the book titled, “Etiquette”, a short anniversary gifts guide for every five years after the first one, up to the 25th, and then, as the last year, the 50th. In 1937 the list was expanded by the American National Retail Jeweler Association and is still being used today.
The list of jewelry and gemstone traditions offers recommendations for those who prefer to adorn their loved one with something truly precious each year.
| Year | Traditional | Modern | Jewelry/Gems |
| 1st | Paper | Clocks | Gold Jewelry |
| 2nd | Cotton | China | Garnet |
| 3rd | Leather | Crystal/Glass | Pearls |
| 4th | Linen/Silk | Appliances | Blue Topaz |
| 5th | Wood | Silverware | Sapphire |
| 6th | Iron | Wood | Amethyst |
| 7th | Wool/Copper | Desk Sets | Onyx |
| 8th | Bronze | Linen/Lace | Tourmaline |
| 9th | Pottery/China | Leather | Lapis |
| 10th | Tin/Aluminum | Diamond Jewelry | Diamonds |
| 11th | Steel | Fashion Jewelry | Turquoise |
| 12th | Silk | Pearls | Jade |
| 13th | Lace | Textiles/Fur | Citrine |
| 14th | Ivory | Gold Jewelry | Opal |
| 15th | Crystal | Watches | Ruby |
| 20th | China | Platinum | Peridot |
| 25th | Silver | Sterling | Silver Jubilee |
| 30th | Pearl | Diamond | Pearl Jubilee |
| 35th | Coral | Jade | Emerald |
| 40th | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby |
| 45th | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| 50th | Gold | Gold | Golden Jubilee |
| 55th | Emerald | Emerald | Alexandrite |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond Jubilee |