Wedding Anniversary Traditions
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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. |
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Year |
Traditional |
Modern |
Jewelry / Gems |
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|
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 |
|
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9th |
Pottery / China |
Leather |
Lapis |
|
|
10th |
Tin / Aluminum |
Diamond Jewelry |
Diamonds |
|
|
11th |
Steel |
Fashion Jewelry |
Turquoise |
|
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12th |
Silk |
Pearls |
Jade |
|
|
13th |
Lace |
Textiles / Furs |
Citrine |
|
|
14th |
Ivory |
Gold Jewelry |
Opal |
|
|
15th |
Crystal |
Watches |
Ruby |
|
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20th |
China |
Platinum |
Peridot |
|
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25th |
Silver |
Sterling |
Silver Jubilee |
|
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30th |
Pearl |
Diamond |
Pearl Jubilee |
|
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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 |