Wedding Anniversary Stones by Year – Gemstones for Every Milestone

Every wedding anniversary is a milestone that deserves celebration. When shopping for something special to mark the occasion, you’ll come across the list of traditional gifts per year. On this list, you’ll note that the first precious metal is copper, and that’s only after reaching the 7th year! Not ideal if you were hoping to buy – or receive – jewellery!

Fortunately, it turns out there are wedding anniversary stones for each year of marriage, and you can learn more about them here:

1st Anniversary Gemstone: Gold

While this isn’t a gem, gold symbolises the first year together as a shining time in a couple’s lives. It signifies a happy time and holds plenty of hope for the future.

2nd Anniversary Gemstone: Garnet

The garnet gemstone comes in a wide variety of colours, although red is the most popular. This is a hardy stone that suits a wide range of jewellery designs. There’s bound to be an option suitable for a second wedding anniversary gift.

3rd Anniversary Gemstone: Pearls

When choosing a pearl, you can choose between natural or cultured, the latter being the most cost-effective option. Pearls also come in a wide range of colours and are versatile – although they are fragile and should only be worn on special occasions – like a 3rd wedding anniversary!

4th Anniversary Gemstone: Blue Topaz

While the topaz stone is available in many colours, the blue topaz was originally considered to be the rarest. However, blue topaz can be manufactured using heating and irradiation which has made it more readily available. This stone is also associated with love and affection, of which there should be plenty on a 4th wedding anniversary.

5th Anniversary Gemstone: Sapphire

Another stone found in many colours, although blue is still the colour of choice. This hard, durable gemstone is incredibly striking, and perfectly highlights the achievement of 5 years of marriage.

6th Anniversary Gemstone: Amethyst

While amethyst stone is most popular in purple, they can be found in a wide range of colours. Their diversity makes them the ideal choice for jewellery marking 6 years of wedded bliss.

7th Anniversary Gemstone: Onyx

Onyx is a durable stone often used for carving and creating men’s jewellery, making it the perfect 7th men’s anniversary gift. Consider a bold ring for him or a pair of stud earrings for her.

8th Anniversary Gemstone: Tourmaline

If you pick a colour, you’ll more than likely find a tourmaline in it. You can choose from a variety of colors including black tourmaline, pink tourmaline and even watermelon tourmaline for your 8th anniversary gift.

9th Anniversary Gemstone: Lapis Lazuli

This blue stone is a favourite of PANDORA®. When practising feng shui, lapis lazuli balances positive and negative energies, something that after 9 years of marriage will come naturally!

10th Anniversary Gemstone: Diamond

Ten years is quite a milestone and needs a worthy celebration. Mark the year by gifting your loved one the king of all gems, a diamond. This stone needs no introduction and can be set in most types of jewellery.

11th Anniversary Gemstone: Turquoise

This greenish-blue stone has been in use throughout history and continues to remain a popular option in modern times. This 11th wedding anniversary gemstone looks best set in silver jewellery in a statement piece.

12th Anniversary Gemstone: Jade

The jade stone is known for its use in ornaments and carvings in Japan and China. It’s available in a wide range of colours, although green is the most common, especially for a 12th anniversary.

13th Anniversary Gemstone: Citrine

Citrine is a yellow-orange gem and beautiful pop of colour. Not only is it affordable as a gift, but it also blends into almost any design and any material for a perfect 13th anniversary gift.

14th Anniversary Gemstone: Opal

Opal gemstones are generally transparent or opaque, and come in a wide range of colours sure as fire opal. It’s often used as a focal point in jewellery and makes for a wonderful 14th wedding anniversary gift.

15th Anniversary Gemstone: Ruby

The ruby stone is the true epitome of passion and love, making it the perfect gem to celebrate your 15th wedding anniversary.

16th Anniversary Gemstone: Peridot

Peridot is available in different shades of green and is best set in white metal when representative of a wedding anniversary stone. It’s a soft yet stunning stone and reminds those celebrating their 16th anniversaries that tenderness is always a good quality!

17th Anniversary Gemstone: Carnelian

An orange red stone that signifies endurance, the carnelian is a delightful 17th wedding anniversary gemstone. The gift for this year is a watch, so if you can combine the two, even better!

18th Anniversary Gemstone: Cat’s Eye

This gemstone in a rounded cabochon cut features tiny inclusions that resemble a cat’s eye. This phenomenon can occur in many gemstones, but this one is unique to the 18th wedding anniversary.

19th Anniversary Gemstone: Aquamarine

Aquamarine resembles the beautiful colours of the Caribbean Sea and has often been associated with hope and fidelity. Perfect then for the anniversary gemstone marking 19 years together.

20th Anniversary Gemstone: Emerald

The beautiful green emerald is a fragile stone that needs to be well looked after and worn with care. It’s a classic, elegant stone that will make your 20th anniversary extra special.

21st Anniversary Gemstone: Iolite

Iolite is difficult to find as it’s not as popular as other blue or violet coloured gems. However, this does not make it any less of a showstopper – aptly suited to 21 years of marriage.

22nd Anniversary Gemstone: Spinel

Spinel is another option often overlooked, although it is affordable, hardy, and durable. The most common colours include pink, red, black, and blue.

23rd Anniversary Gemstone: Imperial Topaz

This form of topaz ranges from yellow to gold. If you’re buying a gift for a man, you don’t have to strictly go for the anniversary stones by year, you can use the topaz’s golden colour as inspiration for similar gifts, such a good bottle of cognac.

24th Anniversary: Tanzanite

Tanzanite is still a fairly new gemstone, as it was first discovered in the 1960s. This blue gem is best paired with white metals.

25th Anniversary Gemstone: Silver Jubilee

The quarter of a century celebration involves silver jewellery, which means that the options are endless. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the perfect 25th anniversary gift.

30th Anniversary Gemstone: Pearl Jubilee

Your 30th anniversary is an opportunity to upgrade the pearl piece of jewellery you bought for your third anniversary, or go for something completely different all together!

35th Anniversary Gemstone: Emerald

Yes, emerald is featured for a second time! Your 35th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to complement the piece of jewellery you bought 15 years ago!

40th Anniversary Gemstone: Ruby

Another opportunity to express your love and passion using this beautiful red ruby stone. Once again, you can look for something to complement an existing gift, or look for something completely different for your milestone ruby anniversary.

45th Anniversary Gemstone: Sapphire

In case you missed the opportunity to buy a beautiful piece of sapphire jewellery, you have another opportunity! The 45 year anniversary is the sapphire anniversary and this deserves a second sparkling gem.

50th Anniversary Gemstone: Golden Jubilee

We’ve circled back to the beginning, only this time, you may have a bigger budget to buy gold jewellery for your loved one. This also gives you the flexibility to choose any gemstone or style that you like, and set in gold for a golden 50th anniversary.

55th Anniversary Gemstone: Alexandrite

Alexandrite can change colour and was named for a Russian czar. It’s truly a royal piece of jewellery and should be treated as such for a 55th anniversary.

60th Anniversary Gemstone: Diamond

It’s once again time to splurge and buy every woman’s favourite stones – the diamond. Celebrate your diamond anniversary in style and spoil the one you love.

70th Anniversary Gemstone: Platinum Jubilee

Reaching your 70th wedding anniversary is truly a milestone and needs to be celebrated with a beautiful, rare white metal. This also allows you to choose any gem option, as long as it’s set in platinum.

75th Anniversary Gemstone: Sapphire

The beautiful blue sapphire stone is making another appearance as you celebrate your 75th wedding anniversary. This stone works well in most types of jewellery and is widely popular.

80th Anniversary Gemstone: Ruby

If you still haven’t invested in this beautiful red stone, now is the opportunity to do so with a stunning ruby.

Celebrate Milestones With Anniversary Stones

Every anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate your partner, and what better way to do so than with a beautiful piece of jewellery? Use our list to choose the anniversary stones that match your milestone!