6th anniversary: iron
Iron represents what all marriages need — strength. Interestingly, from a historical perspective, iron objects of great age are more rare than objects made of gold or silver because of how easily iron corrodes.
Iron has been used since ancient times and is a precursor to steel. Iron is a common presence on earth, but iron can make a beautiful metal jewelry gift when you give it some thought. You just have to watch out for the potential for rust with iron jewelry.
7th anniversary: copper
Copper has traditionally represented prosperity, good luck and good fortune. It’s been used for at least 10,000 years, and estimates place its discovery in the Middle East at 9000 B.C.
The reddish orange color of copper corrodes to give it a patina. Unfortunately, that can transfer to your body and clothing when you wear it. However, it is commonly used in jewelry, and folklore says copper bracelets relieve arthritis symptoms.
It’s possible you might be feeling the arthritis at the 7-year mark. However, a less “pointed” memento of the ongoing years between you might be something like a copper cuff.
Copper is alloyed with gold to create rose gold, which looks great mixed in jewelry with other colors of gold, and creates a warm setting for diamonds or gemstones.
8th anniversary: bronze
Bronze is actually an alloy of copper and tin, so maybe that’s the reason it’s wedged between copper and tin on the anniversary list.
Bronze is used for casting in molds, and an interesting thing about that is the metal expands slightly just before setting in the cast, so bronze can show really sharp detail.
10th anniversary: tin
Tin is the metal for the 10-year anniversary because it represents flexibility and durability. Because tin is used to protect other metals from rusting or tarnishing, it also represents protection.
11th anniversary: steel
So, you make it through 10 years and you’ve given a tin gift that represents durability and flexibility. Oddly, now that you’ve made it to 11 years, your marriage needs the strength of tough steel. Stainless steel can be found in all sorts of jewelry — it’s much easier to find than tin — so your options are wide open.
Your 11th anniversary seems like the ideal time to give him a steel gift — it’s such a “macho” material! A stainless steel bracelet is a great gift, or a watch made of stainless steel works. Of course, gentlemen, women’s watches are available in stainless works, too.
FYI: Stainless steel is hypoallergenic, so if one of you has an allergy to metals, you’ll be safe with steel.
20th anniversary: platinum
Platinum symbolizes a relationship that will endure — a nice milestone for twenty years.
Platinum is actually 30 times rarer than gold. It’s naturally white, so it doesn’t cast any color into diamonds (a reason why it has become so popular as a metal for engagement rings). It’s usually 95% pure, so jewelry made with it never fades or tarnishes. Add to that it’s hypoallergenic, so it’s ideal for those with sensitive skin.
While expensive (remember how rare it is), this metal gives you a boatload of jewelry options when you’re looking for a 20th anniversary gift. An anniversary band is a perfect gift.
Just make sure you look for the stamp inside the ring on the metal somewhere: Platinum, Plat, Pt followed by the level of purity, such as Pt900 or Pt950. The number 900 denotes 90% pure platinum, and 950 denotes 95% pure platinum.
25th anniversary (also 16th anniversary on modern lists): silver
Throughout history, silver has been highly valued. Pure silver, as with gold, is too soft for jewelry. To boost its strength and durability, silver is combined with other metals. Sterling silver must contain at least 92.5% pure silver and less than 7.5% other metals. Jewelry stamped "sterling" or "925" is sterling silver.
Silver will tarnish. To keep silver jewelry looking great, polish it regularly with silver cleaner. Clean the tarnish before it builds up, because it can cause long-term damage.
50th anniversary: gold
Following the lead of those medieval Germans, the 50th wedding anniversary has long been associated with gold.
Most jewelry is set in 18K, 14K or 10K gold. The standard measurement of gold is the karat. Pure gold is 24 karats, meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold. Pure gold is too soft to be used for jewelry, so it’s alloyed with other metals to make it stronger. So 18K gold is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals; 14K gold is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals. 10K gold is 10 parts gold to 14 parts other metals.
Yellow gold is mixed with copper and silver. White gold is combined with copper, zinc and nickel or palladium, and is often plated with rhodium. Rose gold combines gold with copper, and green gold is made by mixing in copper, silver and zinc.
You might consider a jewelry piece that pairs white and yellow gold, which produces a beautiful two-tone look.
You can find just about every jewelry type in gold, and at every price point because of the variety of karats (18K, 14K, 10K). Chains can be a particularly good idea because women can combine them with different pendants, and you can find a huge variety of chain types for men.
A Wedding Day is an incredibly important occasion when two people celebrate the beginning of their marriage in the presence of family and friends. Following this significant occasion, anniversary celebrations each year commemorate the continuation of each person’s love for the other.
It is generally considered important that each wedding anniversary is celebrated in a memorable and meaningful way, because the anniversary is like an annual renewal of the commitment between two people. This is one time of the year when time and effort needs to be invested into finding a suitable gift, and a gift that is romantic, unique, or symbolic in some special way for the couple.
OUR MOST POPULAR ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR HER
In the earlier years of a marriage, it is often simple to think of a meaningful gift when two people tend to have plenty of things on their wish lists they want to purchase someday. However, as the years go by and the assets build up, it becomes increasingly more difficult to think of an anniversary gift that will be treasured.
The tradition of giving gifts for a wedding anniversary extends back to medieval times. It is known that during the time of the Holy Roman Empire, a man would crown his wife with a silver wreath on the 25th anniversary, and a gold wreath on the 50th anniversary, however, there was little else documented in terms of themes for gift giving on other anniversaries.
These gift suggestions for each year of marriage are today referred to as the 'Traditional' themes for each anniversary. This list was later reviewed and updated to incorporate a 'Modern' theme for each anniversary.
Below we have put together a comprehensive and accurate table detailing the most recognized traditional and modern gift themes by anniversary year. You can click in the far right column to get a full overview for each year. After much research, we believe it to be the most detailed list of anniversary gift theme information available on the Internet today.
Following the table we provide further information that may assist you.
Anniversary Gifts by Year
Anniversary Year
Traditional Gift Theme
Modern Gift Theme
Gemstone
Colour
Tranditional & Modern
GIFT IDEAS
1st Anniversary
Paper
Clocks
Gold Jewellery
(no associated stone)
Alternative:
Peridot; Pearl
Gold or Yellow
2nd Anniversary
Cotton
China
Garnet
Alternative:
Rose Quartz
3rd Anniversary
Leather
Crystal/Glass
Pearl
Alternative:
Crystal; Jade; Moonstone
Jade; White
4th Anniversary
Fruit/Flowers (US) Linen; Silk (UK)
Appliances (electrical)
Blue Topaz
Alternative:
Blue Zircon; Amethyst
Blue; Green
5th Anniversary
Wood
Silverware
Sapphire
Alternative:
Turquoise;Pink Tourmaline; Rose Quartz
Blue; Pink; Turquoise
6th Anniversary
Iron (US) Candy (UK)
Wood
Amethyst
Alternative:
Garnet; Turquoise
Purple; White; Turquoise
7th Anniversary
Copper (US) Wool (UK)
Brass; Desk Sets
Onyx
Alternative:
Lapis Lazuli; Yellow Sapphire; Copper
Yellow; Off-White
8th Anniversary
Bronze; Pottery (US) Salt (UK)
Linen; Lace
Tourmaline
Alternative:
Aventurine; Tanzanite; Bronze
Bronze
9th Anniversary
Willow; Pottery (US) Copper (UK)
Leather
Lapis Lazuli
Alternative:
Tiger Eye; Andalusite
Terracotta
10th Anniversary
Aluminum (US); Tin (US & UK)
Diamond Jewelry
Diamond
Alternative:
Onyx; Crystal; Green Tourmaline
Silver; Blue
11th Anniversary
Steel
Fashion Jewelry; Accessories
Turquoise
Alternative:
Hematite
Turquoise
12th Anniversary
Home Décor (US) Linen; Silk (UK)
Pearls
Jade
Alternative:
Pearl; Agate; Tsavorite; Garnet
Oyster-White
13th Anniversary
Lace
Textiles; Furs
Citrine
Alternative:
Malachite; Moonstone; Opal
White
14th Anniversary
Ivory or Elephant
Gold Jewellery
Opal
Alternative:
Gold; Ivory; Moss Agate; Kunzite
Ivory
15th Anniversary
Crystal
Watches
Ruby
Alternative:
Rhodolite; Blue Sapphire
16th Anniversary
Silverware
Peridot
Alternative:
Aquamarine; Golden Topaz
Silver
17th Anniversary
Carnelian
Alternative:
Amethyst; Citrine; Pink Tourmaline; Watch
Yellow
18th Anniversary
Porcelain
Cat’s Eye
Alternative:
Opal; Aquamarine
Blue
19th Anniversary
Bronze
Aquamarine
Alternative:
Topaz; Golden Beryl
Bronze
20th Anniversary
China
Platinum
Emerald
Alternative:
Platinum
Emerald- Green; White
21st Anniversary
Brass; Nickel
Emerald
Iolite
Orange
22nd Anniversary
Copper
Spinel
Green
23rd Anniversary
Silver Plate
Imperial Topaz
Alternative:
Sapphire
Silver
24th Anniversary
Silver Plate
Tanzanite
Lavender
25th Anniversary
Silver
Tanzanite
Silver Jewelry (no associated stone)
Silver
26th Anniversary
Pictures
None
None
27th Anniversary
Sculptures
None
None
28th Anniversary
Orchids
None
Alternative:
Amethyst;Orchid Tourmaline
Lavender
29th Anniversary
Furniture
None
None
30th Anniversary
Pearl
Diamond
Pearl
Alternative:
Diamond; Jade
Green
35th Anniversary
Coral (US & UK); Jade (US)
Jade
Emerald
Alternative:
Coral; Jade
Coral
40th Anniversary
Ruby
Ruby
45th Anniversary
Sapphire
Sapphire
Alternative:
Alexandrite
Blue
50th Anniversary
Gold
Gold
Alternative:
Gold or I mperial Topaz
Gold
55th Anniversary
Emerald
Alexandrite
Alternative:
Emerald
Emerald-Green
60th Anniversary
Diamond
Diamond
Diamond-White
The traditional theme of ivory for this anniversary is now considered unethical due to the adverse impact on elephants. Therefore a gift for the 14th anniversary which contains an elephant theme as opposed to ivory per se is more appropriate.Traditional versus Modern Anniversary Gift ideas
Traditionally, anniversary gifts that were given or exchanged in the early years of a marriage tended to be practical household items to assist the couple in establishing their home. Luxury gifts tended to be given or exchanged in later years when the couple had already obtained the things they needed.
The traditional list features materials that were commonly available in years gone by, such as copper, wool, paper and tin, whereas the modern list features new entries such as appliances and desk sets.
From the 20th wedding anniversary onwards, traditional gift materials are not offered every year; typically only every five years or so. The modern list differs in this respect, whereby a gift material is suggested for every year, at least up until the 30th anniversary, which possibly signifies a couples’ need to continue investing as much effort as possible into sustaining the commitment and romance in the later years of marriage.
Which list is better?
It is important to note that there is some variation in traditional gift materials for specific years of marriage, due to the country in which the list was compiled. The table in this section specifies for those particular anniversaries whether the traditional gift material was derived from a US source or UK source, which are the main two sources used across the globe.
Anniversary Gemstone, Color and Flower gift ideas
In addition to the Traditional and Modern gift material lists, each wedding anniversary has also come to be denoted by a particular gemstone, color and flower.
In 1985, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) published its initial version of the Gemstone Information Manual. This manual has been adopted within the trade as the gold standard for disclosure of pearls, cultured pearls and natural gemstones. In that manual, the gemstones or precious metals that are associated with each wedding anniversary are listed for every anniversary year from the first to the 25th, and every five years thereafter up until the 60th wedding anniversary. It is interesting to note that there are some inconsistencies between this and other reputable sources as to the exact gemstone for each anniversary. This could simply reflect a difference due to the region of the world in which the list of anniversary gemstones was compiled. As such, the table in this section predominantly lists the gemstones according to the AGTA. Any variations in gemstones for a particular anniversary year as derived from other sources, are listed as alternatives for completeness, and to offer the reader a wider variety of options.
Specific flowers and colors have also come to be associated with each wedding anniversary year. There do not appear to be any consistent sources for these themes, so the table in this section lists all key flowers from a number of reputable sources that stipulate what the flower is for each anniversary. It is possible that any variation in the nominated flower for a particular year may represent the region of the world in which that particular flower came to be endorsed. In addition to the specific flower for each anniversary, the rose, considered the floral king of romance, can be substituted for most anniversaries if so desired.
In conclusion: Which gift to choose
Please note that for some anniversaries, a Traditional Gift theme does not exist. For those anniversaries, the theme listed relates to the Modern concept. Also, not all anniversary years have a Gemstone, Color and/or Flower associated with it, and hence, the information provided for those years is limited. However, gift ideas are indeed provided for every anniversary year listed in this table.
In addition to this table, if you are looking further for a list of romantic and unique things to do on your anniversary, irrespective of the year, we have compiled a list of our top 35 suggestions which you can find here.
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Origins
Connecting silver to the 25th wedding anniversary may have originated in Middle Europe, specifically in the Germanic region, according to Hallmark's website. Traditionally, a husband would give his wife a silver garland marking 25 years. The silver symbolized the "harmony" that people believed a couple needed to sustain a marriage for such a long period of time.
Vacations
Some couples mark their 25th wedding anniversary with a vacation. This is a substantial, sometimes grand expenditure, which is why some couples wait until 25 years together to make a big trip. A partner wanting to surprise a spouse with a creative trip might choose a location that has "silver" in the name of the locale. An example is a trip to tour coastal Connecticut with a stop in Silver Sands State Park, a trip to Lake Superior and Silver Bay in Minnesota, Silver Beach in Michigan or Silver Strand State Beach on Coronado Island near San Diego.
Renewing Vows
Some couples decide to renew their vows during a church or more informal ceremony. You can renew your vows for any wedding anniversary, but the 25th anniversary marks a milestone year that some couples choose to acknowledge by reaffirming their commitment to each other.
Party Ideas
If your parents or close friends are celebrating a silver anniversary, then consider hosting a party. Invite family and friends who are close to the couple, and ask them to bring a memory or a few words of congratulations that they can read at the party. Display a cake with silver frosting and edible silver embellishments. Reserve part of the evening for friends and family members to share specifics they have learned from the couple and show a photo slideshow that displays photos of the couple through the years.
Vera Leigh has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2008. Her work has appeared in "Learn Overseas" and "Grad Source" magazines. In addition, she received an honorable mention in "Newsweek's" My Turn contest. She has written features for nonprofits focused on literacy, education, genomics and health. In her spare time, Leigh puts her English major to use by tutoring in grammar and composition.