Traditional anniversary lists assign a material to each year of marriage, starting with paper for the first and building toward precious metals and gems for the landmark years. Silver marks the 25th, pearl the 30th, ruby the 40th, sapphire the 45th, gold the 50th and diamond the 60th. Lists differ from source to source, especially for the early years, so treat the table below as the most common version and not a fixed rule.
Where the lists come from
Silver and golden wedding anniversaries are the oldest of the named years, and celebrating them has a long history in Europe. Lists naming a material for every year came much later and were popularized in the 20th century by etiquette writers and retailers. Different publishers filled in the gaps differently, which is why one list gives linen for the fourth year and another gives fruit and flowers. The pattern stays the same: materials get harder, rarer and longer lasting as the years go on.
The traditional list
| Year | Traditional gift | Common alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paper | |
| 2 | Cotton | |
| 3 | Leather | |
| 4 | Linen or fruit and flowers | Silk |
| 5 | Wood | |
| 6 | Iron or sugar | |
| 7 | Wool or copper | |
| 8 | Bronze | |
| 9 | Pottery or willow | |
| 10 | Tin or aluminum | |
| 11 | Steel | |
| 12 | Silk or linen | |
| 13 | Lace | |
| 14 | Ivory | Modern lists often substitute gold jewelry |
| 15 | Crystal | |
| 20 | China | |
| 25 | Silver | |
| 30 | Pearl | |
| 35 | Coral | Jade |
| 40 | Ruby | |
| 45 | Sapphire | |
| 50 | Gold | |
| 55 | Emerald | |
| 60 | Diamond |
Some lists continue past 60, with diamond repeated at 75 or platinum at 70, but these later entries vary the most.
Gem and metal notes by year
7th: copper and 8th: bronze
Copper and its alloys show up early in the list. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, has been used for ornaments since the Bronze Age; the bronze in jewelry page covers its history and why it can mark the skin. Both metals tarnish and darken with time unless sealed.
10th: tin and 11th: steel
Tin is rarely used alone in jewelry because it is soft. Steel gifts often take the form of watches or stainless steel jewelry, which is durable and inexpensive.
14th: ivory
Ivory comes from older lists. International trade in elephant ivory has been heavily restricted since the 1989 CITES listing, and many countries limit its domestic sale as well. Most modern lists substitute gold jewelry or suggest alternatives. The ivory in jewelry page gives an outline of the legal background.
25th: silver
The silver anniversary is one of the most widely marked. Sterling silver (92.5% silver) is the usual standard for jewelry and tableware. See the silver page for fineness standards and care.
30th: pearl
Pearl is the traditional gift for 30 years. Cultured pearls, introduced commercially in the early 20th century, made pearl jewelry widely available; natural pearls are rare and expensive. Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater pearls differ in size, color and luster, as explained on the pearls hub. Pearls are soft, with a Mohs hardness of about 2.5 to 4.5, and need gentle care.
35th: coral or jade
Coral is the older choice. Precious red coral (genus Corallium) has a long carving tradition in Italy, and some species are now regulated in trade; see red coral. Many lists give jade as the alternative. Jade covers two different minerals, jadeite and nephrite, both prized for toughness; see jade.
40th: ruby
Ruby is red corundum colored by chromium, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes it durable enough for daily wear. Most rubies on the market are heat treated, and some are filled with lead glass, a treatment that affects durability and value. The ruby profile covers what to ask before buying. Ruby is also the July birthstone.
45th: sapphire
Sapphire is corundum like ruby, sharing its hardness of 9. Blue is the classic color, but sapphire also comes in pink, yellow, orange, green and colorless. Heat treatment is common and widely accepted when disclosed. See the sapphire profile. Sapphire is the September birthstone.
50th: gold
Gold has stood for the 50th anniversary for centuries. Jewelry is usually alloyed to 18K (75% gold), 14K (58.5%) or similar karats for hardness. The yellow gold page explains the karat system, and rose and white gold are options too.
55th: emerald
Emerald is green beryl colored by chromium or vanadium. It is hard (7.5 to 8) but often contains fractures, and most emeralds are oiled or resin-filled to improve clarity. It is less tough than ruby or sapphire, so protective settings help. See the emerald profile.
60th: diamond
Diamond, the hardest natural material, marks 60 years. Some lists also place diamond at the 75th. Buyers usually judge diamonds by the 4Cs of color, clarity, cut and carat weight, and should know whether a stone is natural or lab-grown.
Choosing a gift
The traditional material is a starting point. Many couples mix it with personal touches, such as a birthstone, a gem from a place they visited, or a piece made by a studio jeweler. The birthstones by month page lists stones that can be combined with the anniversary material, and the gemstone buying guide covers what to check before buying a gem.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional gift for a 25th anniversary?
Silver is the traditional gift for 25 years of marriage.
Which anniversary is ruby?
The 40th anniversary is traditionally marked with ruby.
What is the 30th anniversary gift?
Pearl is the traditional gift for the 30th anniversary.
Why do anniversary lists differ?
Different etiquette writers and retailers published their own versions in the 20th century, so the early years especially vary between lists.