The Complete Guide to Wedding Anniversary Gemstones
Choosing the perfect wedding anniversary gift isn’t always easy. Flowers, chocolates, and clothes are all lovely, but they don’t last forever and may not be remembered in years to come. Just as your marriage began with the exchange of rings, jewellery makes a meaningful and lasting way to celebrate each anniversary. But did you know that, just like birthstones, every wedding anniversary has a gemstone associated with it? Thoughtful and timeless, building a jewellery collection with these special stones is a wonderful way to mark the years together.
In this guide, we explore each wedding anniversary gemstone, offering suggestions to help you find the perfect jewellery gift for the one you love.
1st Wedding Anniversary: Mother of Pearl
For your first anniversary, ease into the tradition with the timeless beauty of mother of pearl. This iridescent gem symbolises prosperity – just what you want in the early years of marriage! The shimmering surface of mother of pearl catches the light beautifully, making it a delicate yet eye-catching choice. From pendants to earrings, this gem is an elegant and sentimental keepsake.
Silver Ti Sento Mother of Pearl Moon Pendant
2nd Wedding Anniversary: Garnet
Deep red garnet, with its rich hues ranging from purple-red to dark crimson, is the stone of passion and commitment. Though often mistaken for ruby, garnet has its own unique charm. Known to symbolise protection and strength, it has been treasured since ancient times. A beautiful choice for rings, necklaces, and bracelets, garnet is the perfect way to celebrate two years of enduring love.
Nicole Barr Oval Garnet Earrings
3rd Wedding Anniversary: Pearl
Pearls, whether cultured or freshwater, represent wisdom gained through experience – just like your growing marriage. Their soft glow and timeless appeal make them a classic choice for celebrating three wonderful years together. Whether in a delicate pearl strand necklace, elegant drop earrings, or a vintage-inspired ring, pearls are a sophisticated and romantic gift.
18ct White Gold Pearl & Marquise Diamond Earrings & Pendant
4th Wedding Anniversary: Blue Topaz
Blue topaz, ranging from soft sky blue to the deep London Blue, is said to symbolise love, loyalty, and clear communication – all key elements of a strong marriage. This vibrant gem has been associated with clarity of thought and emotional balance, making it a meaningful anniversary gift. Whether set in white gold or sterling silver, blue topaz jewellery is a stunning way to celebrate four years together.
9ct White Gold Blue Topaz & Diamond Pendant & Earrings
5th Wedding Anniversary: Rose Quartz
Known as the ‘stone of unconditional love,’ rose quartz radiates warmth and affection. Soft pink in hue, it carries a gentle yet powerful energy that perfectly marks five years of marriage. Believed to attract love and foster deep emotional connections, rose quartz makes a meaningful addition to any jewellery collection.
Thomas Sabo Rose Quartz Filigree Pendant
6th Wedding Anniversary: Amethyst
Vivid purple amethyst is the stone of clarity and protection, making it a meaningful choice for celebrating six years of marriage. Its regal colour and natural elegance ensure it stands out in any jewellery collection. Traditionally linked to inner peace and harmony, amethyst is a beautiful choice for rings, earrings, or pendants.
18ct White Gold Amethyst Stud Earrings & Ring
7th Wedding Anniversary: Onyx
Onyx, with its deep black lustre, is a bold and sophisticated choice for the seventh anniversary. Popular in men’s jewellery, particularly signet rings, it’s also stunning when set in elegant women’s designs. Believed to bring strength and confidence, onyx is a striking and symbolic gemstone to mark this milestone.
8th Wedding Anniversary: Tourmaline
Tourmaline dazzles in an array of colours, with pink being especially popular. This vibrant gem symbolises love, compassion, and emotional balance – making it a perfect anniversary gift. Tourmaline’s ability to display multiple colours in a single stone adds to its uniqueness.
18ct White Gold Tourmaline & Diamond Pendant & Earrings
9th Wedding Anniversary: Lapis Lazuli
A deep blue semi-precious stone flecked with golden pyrite; lapis lazuli has been prized for centuries. It is said to encourage wisdom, truth, and deep communication – qualities essential in any marriage. A lapis bracelet or pendant makes a striking and meaningful gift for your ninth anniversary.
Links of London Lapis Heart Bracelet
10th Wedding Anniversary: Diamond
After a decade of marriage, it’s time to celebrate with the most precious of gemstones! Diamonds symbolise strength and eternity, making them a classic and enduring choice. Many couples choose an eternity ring to mark this special milestone, but diamond stud earrings or a pendant are equally timeless options.
Brilliant Cut Diamond Double Row Eternity Ring & Princess and Baguette Cut Diamond Eternity Ring
11th Wedding Anniversary: Turquoise
For your eleventh anniversary, turquoise offers a refreshing burst of blue-green vibrancy. Known for its calming energy and ancient symbolism of protection and healing, turquoise makes a thoughtful gift. Its captivating hue can brighten up pendants, rings, or bracelets, serving as a daily reminder of the peace and balance you’ve nurtured together.
Ti Sento Turquoise Bar Pendant and Round Stone Ring
12th Wedding Anniversary: Jade
Jade, with its deep green allure, is celebrated for its symbolism of harmony, prosperity, and good fortune. Especially revered in Chinese culture, jade is often considered an auspicious stone for a long-lasting and prosperous marriage. Whether as a pendant, ring, or pair of earrings, jade adds an element of serene elegance to your celebration of twelve years together.
13th Wedding Anniversary: Citrine
Citrine, with its warm, golden glow, exudes a joyful and vibrant energy perfect for celebrating thirteen years of love. Often associated with success, abundance, and a positive outlook, this radiant gemstone can brighten any piece – from earrings to necklaces – infusing your anniversary with a touch of sunshine and optimism.
9ct Yellow Gold Citrine Drop Earrings and Citrine & Diamond Stud Earrings
14th Wedding Anniversary: Opal
Opals are nature’s kaleidoscope, displaying mesmerizing flashes of colour that shift with every angle. Symbolising creativity and passion, opals make a unique and enchanting choice for the fourteenth anniversary. Each opal is one-of-a-kind, ensuring that your gift is as exceptional and unpredictable as your love.
9ct Yellow Gold Opal Pendant and Earrings
15th Wedding Anniversary: Ruby
Though ruby is more traditionally linked to the fortieth anniversary, it also marks fifteen years of marriage with its fiery red allure. Synonymous with passion, vitality, and deep commitment, ruby infuses any piece of jewellery – be it a pendant, ring, or pair of earrings – with a sense of luxurious romance, celebrating the heat and intensity of your journey together.
18ct Gold Ruby & Diamond Pendant, 9ct Gold Ruby & Diamond Studs and Silver Ruby Set Cufflinks
16th Wedding Anniversary: Peridot
Peridot, often referred to as the ‘sun stone’ by the ancient Egyptians, radiates with a fresh, bright green hue. It’s believed to bring protection and prosperity – qualities that make it perfect for commemorating sixteen years of togetherness. Its gentle yet uplifting presence is ideal for pendants or earrings that can be cherished every day.
9ct White Gold Peridot & Diamond Pendant
17th Wedding Anniversary: Watches
At seventeen years, time itself becomes one of the most precious gifts. Instead of a gemstone, this milestone calls for a timeless timepiece. Whether you opt for a rugged, masculine design for him or an elegantly understated style for her, a well-crafted watch encapsulates every cherished moment of your journey together. Luxury brands like Hamilton, Raymond Weil, and Tissot offer styles that marry function with refined aesthetics.
18th Wedding Anniversary: Garnet (Round Two)
If you missed gifting garnet on your second anniversary, now is the perfect second chance! The deep red hues of garnet, symbolic of passion and commitment, make a powerful statement as you celebrate eighteen years together. Renew the vibrant energy that first brought you together with a renewed garnet piece – be it a ring, pendant, or pair of earrings.
9ct Yellow Gold Garnet & Diamond Pendant
19th Wedding Anniversary: Aquamarine
Cool, calming, and serene, aquamarine is a gemstone that represents fidelity and hope. Its gentle blue tones evoke images of clear skies and tranquil seas, perfectly reflecting a marriage that has grown even deeper over nineteen years. Whether set in a striking pendant or elegant earrings, aquamarine offers a sophisticated way to honour your journey.
9ct White Gold Aquamarine & Diamond Earrings & Pendant
20th Wedding Anniversary: Emerald
Celebrating two decades together calls for a gemstone as rich and enduring as your love. The deep green hues of emerald symbolise growth, renewal, and the flourishing nature of a long-term commitment. Whether featured in a statement necklace, a refined ring, or delicate earrings, emerald serves as a timeless reminder of twenty years of shared memories.
18ct White Gold Emerald & Diamond Line Necklet
21st Wedding Anniversary: Iolite
Not as commonly found as some other gems, iolite is a hidden treasure with an enchanting violet-blue hue. Its unique and modern appeal makes it an intriguing choice for the twenty-first anniversary. Whether adorning a pendant or set in earrings, iolite is a conversation starter that reflects the distinct journey of your marriage.
9ct White Gold Pearl & Iolite Necklace
22nd Wedding Anniversary: Spinel
Spinel comes in a rainbow of colours and is admired for its durability and versatility. Frequently found in shades of red, purple, blue, and pink, this gem offers a splash of colour to any design. Celebrating twenty-two years together, spinel symbolises the evolving yet steadfast beauty of your relationship – perfect for adding a vibrant touch to any jewellery piece.
Thomas Sabo Spinel Cluster Pendant & Ring
23rd Wedding Anniversary: Topaz
Imperial topaz, with its luxurious range of yellow to deep golden hues, exudes warmth and opulence. Often compared to the rich tones of cognac, topaz embodies loyalty, affection, and the enduring glow of a long-lasting partnership. Whether it graces a pendant or serves as a pair of elegant earrings, topaz adds a dash of sophisticated elegance to your collection.
24th Wedding Anniversary: Tanzanite
Tanzanite, a gemstone found only in Tanzania, dazzles with its stunning blue-violet hues and remarkable play-of-colour. Discovered in 1967, its rarity only enhances its allure. This dynamic gemstone is perfect for commemorating twenty-four years of shared memories, offering a modern yet timeless touch to any piece of jewellery.
9ct White Gold Tanzanite & Diamond Earrings & Pendant
25th Wedding Anniversary: Silver Jubilee
A quarter of a century together calls for a celebration of elegance and tradition. Silver, with its cool sheen and classic appeal, marks this milestone as a symbol of enduring beauty and resilience. Whether in the form of refined silver jewellery, a sleek watch, or even elegant home accents, the Silver Jubilee is all about celebrating the luminous journey of your marriage.
Georg Jensen Silver Botanica Tea Light & Vase
30th Wedding Anniversary: Pearl (Revisited)
Pearls, known for their natural beauty and timeless charm, grace the 30th anniversary with a sense of sophistication and wisdom. An organic gemstone formed through layers of nacre, pearls represent the evolution of your marriage – a luminous testament to years of love, growth, and shared experiences. If you opted for freshwater pearls earlier, now might be the perfect time to consider cultured pearls for that extra touch of elegance.
18ct White Gold Akoya Pearl Necklace
35th Wedding Anniversary: Emerald (Again!)
Since Emerald is one of the ‘Big Four’ gemstones, it marks the 35th anniversary as well as the 20th. A piece to complement the emerald item you gave her 15 years ago is a great idea.
40th Wedding Anniversary: Ruby (Revisited)
After forty years together, ruby takes centre stage once more. This fiery red gemstone is synonymous with passion and commitment, serving as a vibrant reminder of a love that has only deepened over time. A ruby eternity ring or a bold statement piece is a perfect way to encapsulate the warmth and intensity of four decades of togetherness.
18ct White Gold Ruby & Diamond Bangle
50th Wedding Anniversary: Golden Jubilee
Half a century together is a monumental achievement, and gold – the traditional gift – perfectly captures the brilliance and endurance of your love. Whether you choose fine gold jewellery, a luxurious timepiece, or a sentimental heirloom, the Golden Jubilee is a celebration of a life built on mutual respect, warmth, and unwavering commitment.
18ct Yellow Gold Diamond Set Clover Pendant & Earrings
60th Wedding Anniversary: Diamond Jubilee
Sixty years of marriage is nothing short of extraordinary. The Diamond Jubilee celebrates a lifetime of shared memories with a gemstone that epitomises brilliance and eternal love. A dazzling diamond bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings can serve as that final, breathtaking piece – a shining tribute to a love that has only grown stronger over the decades.
18ct White Gold Diamond Line Bracelet
70th, 75th & 80th Anniversaries
For those remarkable milestones beyond the Diamond Jubilee, the celebrations continue with added grandeur:
- 70th Anniversary (Platinum Jubilee): At seventy years, you deserve to be spoiled! Platinum represents luxury and the rare, enduring strength of a lifelong partnership.
- 75th Anniversary (Sapphire Jubilee): Celebrating seventy-five years together calls for the elegance of sapphire. Known for its deep blue hues and timeless beauty, sapphire jewellery pays tribute to a marriage that has gracefully weathered the years.
- 80th Anniversary (Ruby Jubilee): After eighty years of shared memories, it’s time to sit back, relax, and bask in the admiration of those around you. A ruby piece, echoing its earlier significance, symbolises the enduring passion that continues to shine even after eight decades.
Wedding Anniversary Gemstone Jewellery at Zelley
Each wedding anniversary brings a new opportunity to celebrate your journey together with a meaningful gemstone. Whether you’re marking one year or fifty, these stunning gemstones offer the perfect way to honour your love story.
At Zelley Jewellers, a fourth-generation family business established in 1910, we’re honoured to help couples celebrate their milestones with timeless pieces of jewellery. If you have a special wedding anniversary coming up and need assistance in choosing the perfect gift, do contact us or visit our beautiful store in Market Square.
