Solid gold, no stones1.8 mm Flat Cable Chain Necklace in Solid GoldFrom $499
A 1.8 mm flat cable chain in solid gold, to wear alone or with a pendant.
Anniversary Gifts by Year
Anniversary gifts by year follow three lists: the traditional gift (paper for the 1st, silver for the 25th, gold for the 50th), a modern gift for some years, and the anniversary gemstone. None of them is official. The chart below puts the traditional gift and the gemstone side by side, with a jewelry idea for each milestone.
Traditional (US)Paper to diamondPaper, wood, tin, china, silver, pearl, ruby, gold. Source: Wikipedia
ModernOnly some yearsDiamond jewelry for the 10th, platinum for the 20th. Source: The Knot
GemstoneGold to diamondOne stone for each year, 1 to 25, then every five. Source: GIA
There is no single authoritative list. GIA says so of anniversary gemstones, and traditional and modern lists also vary from source to source. We show which list each answer comes from.
Traditional anniversary gifts by year
The traditional list grows more precious with time: paper and cotton in the first years, then wood, tin, china and silver, and pearl, ruby, sapphire, gold and diamond for the great milestones. The gemstone list, published by GIA, gives a stone for every year from 1 to 25 and every fifth year after. Years the traditional list leaves out are marked "Not listed."
| Year | Traditional gift (US) | Gemstone (GIA) | Jewelry idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Gold | A fine gold chain |
| 2nd | Cotton | Garnet | Garnet jewelry |
| 3rd | Leather | Pearls | Pearl studs or a pendant |
| 4th | Fruit and flowers | Blue topaz | Blue topaz |
| 5th | Wood | Sapphire | Sapphire jewelry |
| 6th | Iron | Amethyst | Amethyst jewelry |
| 7th | Wool, copper | Onyx | Onyx |
| 8th | Bronze | Tourmaline | Tourmaline |
| 9th | Pottery | Lapis lazuli | Lapis lazuli |
| 10th | Tin, aluminum | Diamond | Diamond studs or a band |
| 11th | Steel | Turquoise | Turquoise |
| 12th | Silk | Jade | Jade |
| 13th | Lace | Citrine | Citrine |
| 14th | Ivory | Opal | Opal jewelry |
| 15th | Crystal | Ruby | Ruby jewelry |
| 16th | Not listed | Peridot | Peridot |
| 17th | Not listed | Wristwatches | A watch |
| 18th | Not listed | Cat's-eye chrysoberyl | Cat's-eye chrysoberyl |
| 19th | Not listed | Aquamarine | Aquamarine |
| 20th | China | Emerald | Emerald or platinum |
| 21st | Not listed | Iolite | Iolite |
| 22nd | Not listed | Spinel | Spinel |
| 23rd | Not listed | Imperial topaz | Imperial topaz |
| 24th | Not listed | Tanzanite | Tanzanite |
| 25th | Silver | Silver Jubilee | White gold or platinum (never sold as silver) |
| 30th | Pearl | Cultured pearls | Pearl jewelry |
| 35th | Coral | Emerald | Emerald jewelry |
| 40th | Ruby | Ruby | Ruby jewelry |
| 45th | Sapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire jewelry |
| 50th | Gold | Golden Jubilee | Gold jewelry |
| 55th | Emerald | Alexandrite | Alexandrite (lab-grown) or emerald |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamond | Diamond jewelry |
Modern anniversary gifts
Modern lists update the traditional one for some years, and they differ by source. Two are widely cited: diamond jewelry for the 10th, where the traditional gift is tin or aluminum, and platinum for the 20th, where the traditional gift is china (both per The Knot). Our 10th anniversary diamond gifts and 20th anniversary platinum and emerald guides go further.
Anniversary gemstones by year
For the meaning, color and hardness of every anniversary stone, use our interactive anniversary gemstones by year tool. Sapphire appears twice, for the 5th and the 45th; ruby marks both the 15th and the 40th; diamond the 10th and the 60th.
Milestone anniversaries, with a jewelry idea for each
One piece for each of the big years. Every stone is labeled lab-grown or natural, and prices update live. For more ideas by budget, see anniversary gifts for her.
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1st anniversary: paper, and gold
The traditional gift is paper; the gemstone list starts with gold, a lasting first piece. A fine solid-gold chain is the jewelry answer.
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5th anniversary: wood, and sapphire
Wood is the traditional gift; sapphire, our namesake, is the gemstone. See our sapphire color guide for every shade.
Natural sapphireNatural Blue Sapphire Necklace with Pendant (3 mm)From $529A small natural blue sapphire on a fine chain; it may be heat-treated, as is standard. Also in platinum.
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10th anniversary: tin, and diamond
Tin or aluminum is traditional; diamond is both the gemstone and the modern gift. Our 10th anniversary guide has more.
Lab-grown diamonds3/4 ct Round Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings$6993/4 ct total weight of lab-grown diamonds: the decade, in studs.
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15th anniversary: crystal, and ruby
Crystal is the traditional gift and ruby the gemstone, the same stone as the 40th.
Natural ruby, natural diamondsRuby & Diamond Heart Necklace (2mm stone)From $759An open gold heart set with a natural ruby and a natural diamond accent, on a 16 or 18 inch chain.
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20th anniversary: china, platinum and emerald
China is traditional, platinum the modern gift and emerald the gemstone. One piece can carry two of them. Our 20th anniversary guide has more.
Natural emeraldSolitaire Natural Emerald NecklaceFrom $1,169A natural emerald solitaire, offered in platinum. Natural emeralds may be clarity-enhanced with oil.
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25th anniversary: the Silver Jubilee
Silver is the traditional 25th gift. We do not sell silver; a white metal such as platinum is a lasting nod to it.
Solid platinum, no stones1 mm Curb Chain Necklace in Solid PlatinumFrom $769A 1 mm curb chain in solid platinum: the white-metal answer to the Silver Jubilee.
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30th anniversary: pearl
Pearl is both the traditional gift and, as cultured pearls, the gemstone. Our 30th anniversary pearl guide has more.
Cultured Akoya pearlAkoya Pearl Pendant NecklaceFrom $709A 6 mm cultured Akoya pearl pendant. Pearls are soft: they go on last and come off first.
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40th anniversary: ruby
Ruby is the traditional gift and the gemstone. Our 40th anniversary ruby guide has more.
Natural rubies, natural diamondsDiamond Hoop Natural Ruby Earrings (1/2 ct, 17.2 mm)From $3,15917.2 mm hoops alternating natural rubies and natural diamonds; the rubies are heat-treated, as is standard.
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45th anniversary: sapphire
Sapphire returns for the 45th as both the traditional gift and the gemstone.
Natural sapphire, natural diamondsDiamond Halo Pendant Natural Blue Sapphire NecklaceFrom $1,239A natural blue sapphire in a halo of natural diamonds. Also in platinum.
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50th anniversary: the Golden Jubilee
Gold is the traditional gift and the jubilee stone of the gemstone list.
14K gold, no stonesClassic Herringbone Necklace (2.8mm Chain)From $1,689A substantial 2.8 mm herringbone in 14K gold, for fifty years.
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55th anniversary: emerald, or alexandrite
The traditional list gives emerald; GIA gives alexandrite. Both are right, depending on the list.
Lab-grown alexandriteLab-Grown Alexandrite Heart Necklace (3mm stone)From $809A small lab-grown alexandrite heart, which shifts from green toward purple-red under warm light.
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60th anniversary: diamond
Diamond is the traditional gift and the gemstone for the Diamond Jubilee.
Natural diamonds3 1/5 ct Adjustable Natural Diamond Tennis NecklaceFrom $9,059A tennis necklace of natural diamonds, 3 1/5 ct total weight, adjustable in length.
Shipping and returns
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- Returns: necklaces, earrings and bracelets can be returned within 30 days of delivery, unworn and in their original condition and packaging, with a prepaid, insured UPS label.
- Final sale: rings are final sale, because every ring is made or sized to the size you choose. Engraved, personalized and special-order pieces are final sale too.
Full details are on our shipping and returns page.
Anniversary gifts by year: questions
What are the anniversary gifts by year?
The traditional US list runs 1st paper, 2nd cotton, 3rd leather, 4th fruit and flowers, 5th wood, 10th tin or aluminum, 15th crystal, 20th china, 25th silver, 30th pearl, 40th ruby, 45th sapphire, 50th gold and 60th diamond. The chart above adds the anniversary gemstone for every year.
Is there an official list of anniversary gifts?
No. GIA notes that there is no single authoritative wedding anniversary gemstone list, and traditional and modern gift lists also differ by source. We name the source for each list on this page.
What is the difference between traditional and modern anniversary gifts?
Traditional gifts are the older list (paper, tin, china and so on). Modern lists update some years; two widely cited examples are diamond jewelry for the 10th and platinum for the 20th.
What is the 25th anniversary gift?
Silver; the 25th is the Silver Jubilee. We do not sell silver, so for a 25th we suggest a white metal such as platinum or white gold, chosen as a nod to silver rather than as silver itself.
Which anniversaries are ruby, sapphire and pearl?
Ruby marks the 15th (gemstone) and the 40th (traditional and gemstone). Sapphire marks the 5th (gemstone) and the 45th. Pearl is the traditional 30th gift, and cultured pearls are the 30th gemstone; pearls are also the 3rd gemstone.
What is the 55th anniversary gemstone?
It depends on the list: the traditional US list gives emerald, while GIA gives alexandrite. Alexandrite at most price points is lab-grown, and should be labeled as such.
Methodology & sources
How this chart was made. Traditional US gifts follow Wikipedia's wedding anniversary table; where it lists no US gift for a year, the chart says "Not listed." Gemstones follow GIA's published anniversary gemstone lists. Modern gifts are given only where a source states them. Jewelry ideas were chosen by our jewelers from the live catalog and checked as available on the date below.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wedding anniversary (traditional US gifts); GIA, Wedding Anniversary Gemstone List: Years 1 to 10; GIA, Years 11 to 20; GIA, Years 21 to 60; The Knot, 10-Year Anniversary Gift Ideas; The Knot, 20-Year Anniversary Gift Ideas.
Cite this guide
Updated October 25, 2026. Prices shown are live and may change; each piece lists its own timing before checkout.