Wedding Anniversary Traditions

Tradition tells us that each wedding anniversary should be celebrated by giving your loved one a gift made from a different material.  Paper symbolizes the first year of marriage, but with each passing year, the gifts become more precious or more rare.  This progression is meant to symbolize the growth in a couple’s relationship through the years. 

The origins of the traditional list are not known, however some of the traditions are believed to date back to medieval times.  Today, we accompany these traditions with a more modern list that not only offers greater variety, but in many cases, puts a higher value on earlier anniversaries.  In addition, a 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 / Furs

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