Wedding Anniversary Gemstones by Year: Which Stone Marks Each Milestone?

Trying to work out which gemstone or metal goes with which wedding anniversary? You are not alone — the traditional list is centuries old, varies a little from country to country, and nobody remembers it past "silver is 25". Here is the full UK list in one place, plus the stories behind the most famous milestones and some help choosing a jewellery gift to match.

What are the traditional wedding anniversary gifts by year?

In the UK, the traditional list runs from paper at year one to platinum at year seventy. The early years are marked by everyday materials — paper, cotton, leather, wood — and the materials become more precious as the marriage endures. The jewellery milestones begin properly at 25 years.

Lists vary slightly between sources and countries — American lists, for example, differ on several of the earlier years — but the milestones highlighted above are consistent across the UK tradition.

Which anniversary is the pearl anniversary?

The 30th wedding anniversary is the pearl anniversary in the UK. Pearls suit the milestone beautifully: a pearl forms slowly, layer by layer, over years inside the mollusc — a natural metaphor for three decades of marriage.

For a 30th anniversary gift, freshwater pearl jewellery is the classic choice. A station necklace such as our Lumina Pearl Station Necklace works for everyday wear, while pearl stud earrings suit someone who prefers something quieter. You can browse the full Pearl Jewellery collection here.

What is the 25th wedding anniversary called?

Twenty-five years is the silver anniversary — one of the oldest gift traditions on the list, and along with gold at 50, one of the two that almost everyone knows. Sterling silver jewellery is the natural gift here: it is 92.5% pure silver, hallmarked in the UK, and wearable every day.

If you want sparkle with your silver, a sterling silver ring set with moissanite — a brilliant gemstone in its own right, often chosen as a diamond alternative — covers both, like our Heart Moissanite Halo Ring in 925 sterling silver.

Which anniversaries are ruby, sapphire and emerald?

The great coloured gemstones each mark a late milestone: ruby at 40 years, sapphire at 45, and emerald at 55. Between them sits gold at 50. These four are the reason you will hear people speak of a "ruby wedding" or "golden wedding" — the names long ago passed into everyday English.

Why is the 60th anniversary the diamond anniversary?

Sixty years is the diamond anniversary, and the association owes much of its fame to Queen Victoria, whose Diamond Jubilee in 1897 celebrated 60 years on the throne. The 70th anniversary — platinum — marks the rarest milestone of all, using the rarest of the precious jewellery metals.

Do you have to follow the traditional list?

Not at all. The list is a starting point, not a rule. Plenty of people swap in the recipient's birthstone, choose a piece in their favourite colour, or simply pick something they know will be worn and loved. A few practical alternatives:

How do you choose an anniversary jewellery gift?

Three questions do most of the work. First, what do they already wear — gold tones or silver tones, minimal or statement? Match the metal colour they reach for daily. Second, will they wear it often? A piece for everyday wear usually beats one saved for best. Third, does it carry the milestone's meaning? Even a small nod to the traditional material — a single pearl for 30 years, sterling silver for 25 — makes the gift feel considered rather than generic.

If you are shopping for an anniversary now, our Wedding & Bridal collection and Moissanite Collection are good places to start.