Wedding Anniversary Stones

By
Sheri Stritof
Sheri Stritof

Sheri Stritof is a widely-quoted marriage expert and consultant who co-authored "The Everything Great Marriage Book" with her late husband of 40 years.

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Updated on 11/04/22
Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
SS
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Wedding anniversary stones

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

We've all heard that the gift for a first anniversary is paper, but it's not exactly romantic, is it? This list of anniversary stones yields much better gift options. Instead of paper, cotton, or wool, choose a piece of jewelry with the appropriate anniversary gemstone to celebrate your relationship.

1st Anniversary: Gold jewelry or peridot

Okay, so gold isn't a gemstone, but the theory is that a couple is still finding their footing at the one year mark, so instead of investing in a stone, a simple piece of gold jewelry is the perfect gift.

2nd Anniversary: Garnet

3rd Anniversary: Pearls or jade

4th Anniversary: Blue topaz or blue zircon

5th Anniversary: Sapphire or pink tourmaline

6th Anniversary: Amethyst or turquoise

7th Anniversary: Onyx, yellow sapphire, or golden beryl

8th Anniversary: Tourmaline or tanzanite

9th Anniversary: Lapis lazuli, amethyst, or green spinel

10th Anniversary: Diamond or blue sapphire

Diamonds make a few appearances on this list of anniversary gemstones. Since they're traditionally used in wedding rings––and because of their price––they are used to celebrate milestone anniversaries.

11th Anniversary: Turquoise, citrine, or yellow zircon

12th Anniversary: Jade or opal

13th Anniversary: Citrine, moonstone, or hawk's eye

14th Anniversary: Opal, agate, or bloodstone

15th Anniversary: Ruby, rhodolite garnet, or alexandrite

16th Anniversary: Peridot (evening emerald) or red spinel

17th Anniversary: Carnelian

Watches are the traditional gift for the 17th anniversary. If you can find a watch made with carnelian, an orange-red stone that symbolizes endurance, you can cover both bases with your gift.

18th Anniversary: Cat's eye (chrysoberyl) or aquamarine

19th Anniversary: Aquamarine or almandine garnet

20th Anniversary: Emerald or yellow/golden diamond

21st Anniversary: Lolite

22nd Anniversary: Spinel

23rd Anniversary: Imperial topaz

24th Anniversary: Tanzanite

25th Anniversary: Silver Jubilee, tsavorite, or green garnet

30th Anniversary: Pearl Jubilee

35th Anniversary: Emerald or jade

40th Anniversary: Ruby jubilee

45th Anniversary: Sapphire or cat's eye

50th Anniversary: Golden Jubilee or Imperial/Golden Topaz

Jubilee anniversaries are milestone anniversaries, usually at 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60. Hit 75 years of marriage and you'll reach the Diamond Jubilee.

55th Anniversary: Emerald or alexandrite

60th Anniversary: Diamond Jubilee or star ruby

65th Anniversary: Blue spinel

70th Anniversary: Sapphire Jubilee or smoky quartz

75th Anniversary: Diamond Jubilee

80th Anniversary: Ruby Jubilee