Anniversary Jewelry & Gemstone Guide
Anniversary Jewelry & Gemstones by Year
Celebrate love milestones with meaningful gemstones. Here’s a guide to anniversary stones and how I interpret them through MONOLISA’s handcrafted jewelry.
The tradition of giving gifts to commemorate anniversaries has deep historical roots, with origins traced back to Ancient Roman times. The practice gained significant prominence during the Victorian Era, a period characterized by an increased emphasis on romantic love and the significance of marriage. Among the various types of gifts exchanged, gemstones have emerged as a popular choice, symbolizing enduring love and commitment.
Different anniversaries are associated with specific gemstones, each carrying its own unique meaning and significance. Understanding the meanings behind these gemstones can enhance the sentimental value of the gift, allowing couples to celebrate their enduring bond in a meaningful way. Below is a complete list of anniversary jewelry and gemstone types, paired with MONOLISA designs.
Gold Jewelry
Suggested gift: Solid gold jewelry
Gold symbolizes the strength and purity of a new marriage. Lightweight 14k gold earrings or a simple pendant make a classic first-anniversary keepsake.
Garnet
Suggested gift: Garnet ring or earrings
Garnet is associated with protection and devotion, making it a meaningful way to honor the early years of marriage.
Pearls
Suggested gift: Akoya pearl ring or earrings
Pearls represent wisdom and grace. A luminous pearl design feels timeless and elegant for a third anniversary.
Blue Topaz
Suggested gift: Blue topaz earrings
Blue topaz is linked to calm communication and clarity—perfect for couples growing together through life’s changes.
Sapphire
Suggested gift: Sapphire ring
Sapphire is associated with loyalty and fidelity, making it a beautiful symbol for five years of marriage.
Amethyst
Suggested gift: Amethyst ring
Amethyst’s violet tones are linked to balance and calm—thoughtful qualities for a steady, growing partnership.
Yellow Sapphire
Suggested gift: Yellow sapphire earrings
Yellow sapphire symbolizes joy and optimism—ideal for celebrating a bright and hopeful seventh year.
Tourmaline
Suggested gift: Tourmaline ring or earrings
Tourmaline comes in a rainbow of colors, reflecting the many shades of a relationship as it deepens over time.
Morganite
Suggested gift: Morganite ring
Morganite’s soft blush tones are associated with gentle love and compassion—perfect for a romantic ninth-anniversary piece.
Diamond
Suggested gift: Diamond or diamond-look jewelry
Diamonds represent strength and invincibility—fitting for ten years of shared life and memories.
Turquoise
Suggested gift: Turquoise accents
Turquoise is tied to friendship and protection, reflecting a bond that feels both loving and deeply supportive.
Alexandrite
Suggested gift: Alexandrite-inspired gemstone
Known for its color-changing effect, alexandrite represents the magical, unexpected moments that keep love interesting.
Citrine
Suggested gift: Citrine earrings
Citrine is associated with joy and warmth—an uplifting stone for couples who love celebrating life together.
Opal
Suggested gift: Opal pendant or earrings
Opals shimmer with play-of-color, symbolizing creativity, emotion, and the layers of shared experiences.
Ruby
Suggested gift: Ruby ring
Ruby represents passion and enduring love, making it a striking choice for a significant 15-year milestone.
Peridot
Suggested gift: Peridot earrings
Peridot’s fresh green color is tied to renewal and growth—a lovely theme for a long-term partnership.
Watches
Suggested gift: Timepiece
A watch is a classic symbol of the time spent together and the years still ahead.
Cat's Eye
Suggested gift: Cat’s eye–inspired gemstone jewelry
Cat’s eye stones feature a unique band of light, symbolizing insight and protection as life paths evolve.
Aquamarine
Suggested gift: Aquamarine ring
Aquamarine’s serene blue recalls calm seas—ideal for couples who have navigated many tides together.
Emerald
Suggested gift: Emerald accent piece
Emerald symbolizes rebirth and growth—beautiful for a 20-year journey that continues to evolve.
Iolite
Suggested gift: Iolite ring
Iolite’s violet-blue tones have long been associated with inner vision and direction—fitting for partners who guide each other.
Spinel
Suggested gift: Spinel ring
Spinel is highly durable and comes in many colors, reflecting resilience and versatility in a long-term relationship.
Imperial Topaz
Suggested gift: Imperial topaz–inspired ring
Imperial topaz glows in warm golden and peach tones—perfect for celebrating a rich, layered love story.
Tanzanite
Suggested gift: Tanzanite ring
Tanzanite’s blue-violet color is rare and expressive—just like a relationship approaching its 25th year.
Silver Jubilee
Suggested gift: Silver-focused jewelry
The 25th “silver” anniversary honors a quarter-century of partnership. Mixed metal designs pair beautifully with this theme.
Pearl Jubilee
Suggested gift: Pearl ring or earrings
Three decades together is a remarkable milestone—pearls underscore that sense of rarity and grace.
Emerald
Suggested gift: Emerald-accent ring
Emerald at 35 years reflects a love that has grown richer and more vibrant over time.
Ruby
Suggested gift: Ruby statement ring
Rubies return for the 40th anniversary, this time marking a deep, enduring passion that has lasted four decades.
Sapphire
Suggested gift: Sapphire ring or earrings
At 45 years, sapphire once again celebrates loyalty, honesty, and the strength of long-lasting love.
Golden Jubilee
Suggested gift: Gold-focused fine jewelry
The 50th “golden” anniversary is a rare and beautiful achievement, celebrated perfectly with heirloom-worthy gold designs.
California Jewelry Designer Lisa Ramos is a member of the International Gem Society (IGS), Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), and the Argentium Silver Guild.
More Gemstone Articles by Lisa Ramos:
Facts About Quartz Gemstones
Facts About Spinel Gemstones
10 Interesting Facts About The Amethyst Gemstone
10 Facts About The Peridot Birthstone
Interesting Facts About Ruby Gemstones
15 Facts About Sapphire Gemstones
12 Facts About Akoya Pearls
How to Care for Pearl Jewelry - 14 Tips
Tell Me About Opals
The History Behind a Topaz Gemstone
25 Facts About Gemstones
