Anniversary gemstones year-by-year (modern US list)
- 1st: Peridot or gold jewelry
- 2nd: Garnet
- 3rd: Pearls
- 4th: Blue topaz or blue zircon
- 5th: Sapphire or pink tourmaline
- 6th: Amethyst
- 7th: Onyx
- 8th: Tourmaline
- 9th: Lapis lazuli
- 10th: Diamond jewelry
- 11th: Turquoise
- 12th: Jade
- 13th: Citrine
- 14th: Opal
- 15th: Ruby
- 16th: Peridot
- 17th: Watches or carnelian
- 18th: Cat's eye
- 19th: Aquamarine
- 20th: Emerald
- 21st: Iolite
- 22nd: Spinel
- 23rd: Imperial topaz
- 24th: Tanzanite
- 25th: Silver or tsavorite
- 30th: Pearl (jubilee)
- 35th: Emerald
- 40th: Ruby
- 45th: Sapphire
- 50th: Gold or imperial topaz
- 55th: Alexandrite
- 60th: Diamond
- 65th: Blue spinel
- 70th: Sapphire
- 75th: Diamond (platinum)
Traditional UK list differences
The traditional British anniversary list overlaps substantially with the modern US one but diverges in specific years. 1st is paper (UK) not peridot. 5th is wood (UK) not sapphire. 10th is tin (UK) not diamond. 25th silver and 50th gold are universal. The gemstone-for-every-year approach is largely a modern American commercial addition.
Couples mixing traditions often gift both material and stone (tin + diamond for 10th, for example).
Milestone anniversaries explained
5th anniversary
Sapphire is the modern primary. Pink tourmaline is the alternate. Both signal lasting commitment, though sapphire has the longer historical association. Engagement-ring styling with a sapphire accent works well as a 5-year commemorative piece.
10th anniversary
Diamond jewelry is the modern 10th. The phrase “diamond anniversary” is also used for the 60th (diamond jubilee, reserved for longer-lived monarchs in British tradition). 10-year diamond gifts commonly include eternity bands, diamond earrings, and anniversary pendants.
15th anniversary
Ruby is the 15th, and also the 40th (ruby anniversary). The 15-year ruby is often smaller accent work (ruby eternity band, ruby drop earrings); the 40th warrants a statement piece.
25th anniversary
Silver is the traditional 25th, with tsavorite added as the modern gem. Silver jubilee jewelry (sterling or white gold ceremonial pieces) is common; tsavorite green stones set in either metal are a contemporary option.
50th anniversary
Gold is the traditional and near-universal 50th. Imperial topaz is the modern gem addition. Yellow gold rings with imperial topaz stones are common; some couples commission entirely gold-only pieces for purity.
60th anniversary
Diamond jubilee. The couple's “big diamond” year. Traditionally reserved in British tradition for British monarchs, extended to ordinary marriages in modern commercial gift tradition. Diamond bracelets, pendants, and statement rings are common 60-year gifts.
75th anniversary
Diamond (platinum) is the 75th. Also called the platinum jubilee. Rare milestone given lifespans; when celebrated, often a large-stone commemorative piece.
How to shop for an anniversary gemstone
Budget ranges for common anniversary stones
- 1st (peridot / gold): $100 to $500 for tasteful jewelry
- 5th (sapphire / pink tourmaline): $300 to $2,000
- 10th (diamond): $500 to $5,000+ depending on stone size
- 15th (ruby): $500 to $5,000+
- 20th (emerald): $500 to $5,000+
- 25th (tsavorite / silver): $200 to $3,000
- 30th (pearl): $200 to $2,000 for quality strands
- 50th (gold / topaz): $500 to $5,000+ for heirloom-quality pieces