Anniversary Gemstones by Year: The Complete List

Anniversary gemstones provide a symbolic way to mark the years shared by a couple. Early anniversaries use a broad range of colored gems and jewelry materials, while later milestone years return to enduring choices such as pearl, emerald, ruby, sapphire, gold and diamond.

Unlike modern birthstones, anniversary lists are not completely universal. Jewelry organizations, retailers and cultural traditions sometimes assign different materials to the same year. Therefore, this guide follows the widely used Jewelers of America sequence for years 1–25 and the major milestones from 30 through 60, while explaining where flexibility remains appropriate.

Anniversary Gemstone Chart

Why Anniversary Lists Differ

There is no single worldwide authority that assigns one gemstone to every marriage year. Some lists grew from traditional materials such as paper, wood, silver and gold, while later jewelry-industry lists introduced gemstones for more years.

Regional customs also differ. A couple may encounter one list assigning blue topaz to the fourth year and another emphasizing flowers, fruit, linen or appliances.

For that reason, anniversary gemstones should guide rather than restrict gift selection. The strongest choice usually combines the year’s traditional material with the recipient’s style, lifestyle and existing jewelry.

Readers comparing the anniversary sequence with monthly traditions can use the birthstones by month guide.

First Anniversary: Gold

Gold marks the first anniversary. It reflects the value of the new partnership and provides a flexible foundation for future gemstone gifts.

The present does not need to be an elaborate solid-gold piece. A small pendant, pair of earrings, ring or engraved charm can carry the same connection.

Yellow, rose and white gold have different appearances and alloy compositions. Therefore, consider the recipient’s existing jewelry and any metal sensitivities before choosing.

Second Anniversary: Garnet

The second anniversary gemstone is garnet. Although red is the best-known color, the garnet group also includes orange, green, purple, pink, yellow and color-change gems.

Red garnet commonly symbolizes commitment, affection and vitality. Its useful durability also suits rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets.

A smaller well-cut stone with lively color generally provides more visual value than a dark gem that looks nearly black indoors.

Third Anniversary: Pearl

The third anniversary is associated with pearl. Pearls develop through repeated layers of nacre, making them a fitting symbol for a relationship built gradually through shared experience.

Cultured pearls may be freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian or South Sea varieties. Their value depends on luster, surface, shape, color, size, nacre quality and matching.

Because pearl is comparatively soft, earrings and necklaces usually offer more practical wear than exposed rings.

Fourth Anniversary: Blue Topaz

Blue topaz is commonly assigned to the fourth anniversary. Since the tracker uses a canonical topaz guide rather than a generic blue-topaz page, readers should remember that most commercial blue topaz received irradiation and heat treatment.

Sky Blue, Swiss Blue and London Blue are trade color categories rather than distinct mineral species.

Topaz has useful hardness but perfect cleavage, so pendants and earrings provide safer choices than high-set rings for active wearers.

Fifth Anniversary: Sapphire

The fifth anniversary gemstone is sapphire. Blue sapphire traditionally represents loyalty, truth and faithfulness.

Sapphire belongs to the corundum family and ranks 9 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for frequently worn rings.

However, treatment disclosure remains important. Heat treatment is common, while diffusion, filling and laboratory growth occupy separate value categories.

Sixth Anniversary: Amethyst

The sixth anniversary is associated with amethyst, the purple variety of quartz.

Amethyst traditionally symbolizes moderation, calm judgment and thoughtful reflection. Its wide availability allows buyers to choose among pale lavender, medium violet and deeply saturated stones.

Since large crystals occur naturally, an amethyst gift can have substantial visual presence without requiring an unusually high budget.

Seventh Anniversary: Onyx

The seventh anniversary gemstone is onyx. Black onyx creates a strong graphic appearance and often represents stability, protection and resilience.

Much commercial black onyx is dyed chalcedony. This treatment is longstanding and accepted when disclosed accurately.

Its smooth cabochons work well in signet rings, cuff links, earrings and pendants.

Eighth Anniversary: Tourmaline

The eighth anniversary uses tourmaline, one of the most color-diverse gem families.

Pink, green, blue, red and multicolored tourmalines allow the gift to reflect the recipient’s individual style. Watermelon tourmaline can even show pink and green in the same crystal.

Tourmaline is suitable for most jewelry, although thin elongated crystals and heavily included stones require careful settings.

Ninth Anniversary: Lapis Lazuli

The ninth anniversary material is lapis lazuli, a blue metamorphic rock composed mainly of lazurite with other minerals such as calcite and pyrite.

Deep blue material with controlled calcite and attractive pyrite distribution receives the greatest interest.

Because lapis is porous and relatively soft, buyers should avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaning and poorly protected ring settings.

Tenth Anniversary: Diamond

The tenth anniversary gemstone is diamond. Diamond’s exceptional hardness makes it a natural symbol for durability and a decade of commitment.

A tenth-anniversary gift does not need to imitate an engagement ring. Diamond bands, earrings, pendants and bracelets can mark the milestone without replacing earlier jewelry.

Buyers should compare natural and laboratory-grown origin, cut quality, setting security and documentation rather than focusing only on carat weight.

Eleventh Anniversary: Turquoise

The eleventh anniversary is associated with turquoise.

Turquoise ranges from blue to greenish blue and often contains visible host-rock matrix. Its long cultural history has connected it with protection, prosperity and meaningful travel.

Natural, stabilized, dyed, reconstituted and imitation materials occupy very different market categories. Therefore, disclosure matters strongly.

Twelfth Anniversary: Jade

The twelfth anniversary gemstone is jade.

Jade is not one mineral. The name covers jadeite and nephrite, which differ in composition, structure, rarity and market value.

Both materials have strong cultural histories and exceptional toughness. Nevertheless, dyeing, bleaching and polymer impregnation can significantly affect jadeite value.

Thirteenth Anniversary: Citrine

The thirteenth anniversary uses citrine, the yellow-to-orange variety of quartz.

Citrine commonly symbolizes optimism, warmth and prosperity. Natural yellow quartz exists, although much commercial citrine results from heating amethyst.

Color should remain attractive in ordinary light. Brownish, overly dark or weakly cut stones may look less lively than their retail photographs suggest.

Fourteenth Anniversary: Opal

The fourteenth anniversary gemstone is opal.

Precious opal displays play-of-color, while common opal lacks the shifting spectral effect. Black, white, crystal, boulder, fire and Ethiopian opals have different appearances and care requirements.

Some opals are porous or prone to cracking, so their origin, treatment and assembled construction should be understood before purchase.

Fifteenth Anniversary: Ruby

The fifteenth anniversary is associated with ruby, the red variety of corundum.

Ruby symbolizes passion, vitality and enduring affection. Its hardness and durability make it appropriate for rings and other frequently worn jewelry.

Heat treatment is common, while glass filling, diffusion and laboratory growth require separate disclosure.

Sixteenth Anniversary: Peridot

The sixteenth anniversary gemstone is peridot.

Its yellowish-green to green color represents renewal, optimism and growth. Unlike many colored gemstones, peridot receives its color from an essential part of its chemistry rather than from trace impurities alone.

Peridot can scratch and chip more readily than sapphire or ruby, so protective settings and gentle cleaning remain advisable.

Seventeenth Anniversary: Watch

The seventeenth anniversary is represented by a watch rather than a gemstone.

A watch symbolizes the time already shared and the years still ahead. Engraving a date, location or short message can make the gift more personal.

Consider wrist size, daily activities, movement type, service requirements and water resistance rather than choosing entirely by brand recognition.

Eighteenth Anniversary: Cat’s-Eye Chrysoberyl

The eighteenth anniversary uses cat’s-eye chrysoberyl, a phenomenal variety within the chrysoberyl family.

Fine cat’s-eye material displays a sharp band of reflected light across a domed cabochon. The strongest stones may show a milk-and-honey effect as the gem moves under one light source.

The term cat’s eye without a mineral qualifier can describe several gems. Therefore, a seller should identify chrysoberyl specifically.

Nineteenth Anniversary: Aquamarine

The nineteenth anniversary gemstone is aquamarine.

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family and ranges from greenish blue to blue. Its sea-related name and cool color support themes of calm communication and navigating challenges together.

Most commercial aquamarine has been heated to reduce green or yellow components. The treatment is generally stable when disclosed.

Twentieth Anniversary: Emerald

The twentieth anniversary is associated with emerald.

Emerald’s rich green color symbolizes renewal, growth and a relationship that continues to develop after two decades.

Most emeralds contain visible inclusions, and many are treated with oil or resin to reduce the appearance of surface-reaching fractures. Therefore, cleaning and treatment disclosure require particular care.

Twenty-First Anniversary: Iolite

The twenty-first anniversary gemstone is iolite.

Iolite can show violet-blue, blue and grayish or yellowish colors in different crystal directions. This pleochroism has encouraged associations with navigation and finding direction.

Cut orientation matters strongly. A poorly oriented stone may appear pale, gray or uneven from the front.

Twenty-Second Anniversary: Spinel

The twenty-second anniversary gemstone is spinel.

Spinel occurs in red, pink, blue, purple, orange and other colors. Historically, red spinel was frequently confused with ruby, including in famous royal collections.

Its durability makes it suitable for rings, while its color variety supports highly personalized gifts.

Twenty-Third Anniversary: Imperial Topaz

The twenty-third anniversary is associated with imperial topaz.

The term generally refers to prized yellow, orange, pinkish orange or reddish topaz, although trade definitions vary.

Color, naturalness, clarity and cutting influence value. Since topaz has perfect cleavage, protective settings remain important.

Twenty-Fourth Anniversary: Tanzanite

The twenty-fourth anniversary gemstone is tanzanite.

Tanzanite is a blue-to-violet variety of zoisite found commercially in a restricted region of northern Tanzania. Its rarity and transformation through heat treatment make it a fitting symbol for change and perspective.

The stone is less durable than sapphire, so earrings and pendants often make safer gifts than exposed daily-wear rings.

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary: Silver

Silver marks the twenty-fifth anniversary and gives the milestone its familiar name: the silver anniversary.

Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and usually includes copper or another alloying metal for strength.

Tarnish is normal and does not prove that a piece is fake. Proper storage, gentle polishing and avoiding sulfur-rich environments help preserve the surface.

Thirtieth Anniversary: Pearl

The thirtieth anniversary returns to pearl, representing a relationship that has developed through many accumulated layers.

A matched necklace, earrings or restrained pendant may suit the milestone. However, buyers should prioritize luster over size alone.

The gift may also incorporate an existing family pearl, provided that restringing and restoration respect its condition.

Thirty-Fifth Anniversary: Emerald

Emerald returns for the thirty-fifth anniversary.

After three and a half decades, the gemstone’s renewal symbolism can represent continued growth rather than a relationship treated as complete or static.

Because fine emerald is often included and fracture-filled, a pendant or earrings may provide a more forgiving format than an exposed ring.

Fortieth Anniversary: Ruby

Ruby marks the fortieth anniversary.

Its red color and historic association with passion suit a milestone commonly described as the ruby anniversary.

For an important purchase, compare color, transparency, treatment and laboratory documentation. A small vivid ruby may provide stronger beauty and value than a larger heavily filled stone.

Forty-Fifth Anniversary: Sapphire

Sapphire returns for the forty-fifth anniversary, reinforcing themes of fidelity, trust and consistency.

Although blue is traditional, fancy-color sapphire provides alternatives in pink, yellow, green, purple and other colors.

The recipient’s style should guide the choice rather than a rigid expectation that every anniversary sapphire must be dark blue.

Fiftieth Anniversary: Gold

The fiftieth anniversary is the golden anniversary.

Gold jewelry may commemorate the original wedding date through engraving, custom design or reuse of an heirloom.

A new piece can also combine gold with the couple’s birthstones, children’s birthstones or another meaningful gemstone.

Fifty-Fifth Anniversary: Alexandrite

The fifty-fifth anniversary gemstone is alexandrite.

Alexandrite changes from a green or blue-green appearance in cooler light to red, raspberry or purple under warmer illumination.

Its two appearances make it an apt symbol for adaptability through decades of changing circumstances. Natural fine material is exceptionally rare, while clearly disclosed laboratory-grown alexandrite offers a more accessible alternative.

Sixtieth Anniversary: Diamond

Diamond returns for the sixtieth anniversary, often called the diamond anniversary.

The gift can take many forms, including an anniversary band, earrings, pendant, bracelet or redesigned heirloom.

By this stage, sentimental relevance may matter more than conventional specifications. A well-restored family stone or custom piece can carry more meaning than a larger newly purchased diamond.

What About Years 26–29 and the Years Between Later Milestones?

Widely used jewelry-industry lists typically provide annual assignments through year 25, then emphasize five-year milestones.

Couples celebrating an unassigned year can repeat a meaningful earlier stone, choose a monthly birthstone or select a gem connected with a shared event.

For example, a gemstone from a memorable destination, the color of a wedding bouquet or the birthstone of a child may offer stronger personal relevance than an arbitrary commercial assignment.

The dedicated best gemstones for anniversary gifts guide retains the personalized gift-selection intent. The separate guide to crystal gifts for an anniversary covers symbolic and decorative alternatives rather than the formal year-by-year list.

How to Choose an Anniversary Gemstone

Begin with the recipient’s actual jewelry habits. A person who never wears rings may appreciate earrings, a pendant or a watch more than the officially assigned stone in an impractical setting.

Next, consider durability. Sapphire, ruby, spinel and diamond suit frequent wear, while opal, pearl, turquoise and emerald require more care.

Treatment and origin also matter. A beautiful laboratory-grown gemstone or accepted treated stone can make an excellent gift when the description remains clear.

Finally, decide whether the gift should look traditional or personal. The anniversary list provides a starting point, not an obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there one official anniversary gemstone list?

No single global authority controls every anniversary tradition. Jewelers of America publishes a widely used jewelry list, while other organizations and regional customs may differ.

2. Which gemstone marks the first anniversary?

Gold is the traditional jewelry material for the first anniversary.

3. What is the tenth-anniversary gemstone?

Diamond marks the tenth anniversary.

4. What gemstone represents 15 years of marriage?

Ruby is associated with the fifteenth anniversary.

5. What is the twentieth-anniversary gemstone?

Emerald marks the twentieth anniversary.

6. Why is the twenty-fifth anniversary called the silver anniversary?

Silver is the traditional jewelry material assigned to 25 years of marriage.

7. What gemstone marks 30 years?

Pearl is assigned to the thirtieth anniversary.

8. What is the fortieth-anniversary gemstone?

Ruby returns for the fortieth anniversary.

9. Which gemstone represents 50 years of marriage?

Gold marks the fiftieth anniversary, commonly called the golden anniversary.

10. What gemstone is used for the fifty-fifth anniversary?

Alexandrite is the widely used jewelry assignment for the fifty-fifth anniversary.

11. What gemstone represents a sixtieth anniversary?

Diamond marks the sixtieth anniversary.

12. Can a couple choose a different anniversary gemstone?

Yes. Personal style, birthstones, heirlooms, durability and shared memories may produce a more meaningful choice than following the list rigidly.

A Tradition That Should Remain Personal

Anniversary gemstones create a useful framework for celebrating time, but the relationship gives the gift its meaning. Gold, garnet, pearl and diamond do not measure the quality of a marriage; they provide materials through which a couple can recognize the experiences accumulated together.

Use the list as a guide, then choose a piece that fits the recipient’s life. A thoughtful stone in a wearable design will usually carry more lasting meaning than an expensive assignment selected only because a chart required it.