Anniversary:
What is more joyous and heartfelt than giving your loved one a special gift each year to commemorate a wedding anniversary? Traditionally, every anniversary is celebrated by giving a gift made from a different material. It isn't clear when this traditional list came into existence. It probably originated in the Middle Ages when very few people could afford rare stones and jewelry and it evolved over time. But these days, giving paper, cotton or glass somehow don’t seem to capture the significance of the happiest day of your life.
There is a new tradition gaining popularity, however. And it will please your loved one a whole lot more than paper or glass. It’s the growing trend of giving a lasting gift of beautiful gemstone jewelry for your anniversary. Here is a list of gemstones that are quickly becoming the accepted norms to commemorate each anniversary year.
1st
Anniversary – Mother of Pearl. Alternate: Peridot
2nd Anniversary - Garnet
3rd
Anniversary - Pearls.
Alternate: Jade
4th
Anniversary - Blue
Topaz. Alternate: Blue
Zircon
5th
Anniversary - Sapphire.
Alternate: Pink
Tourmaline
6th
Anniversary - Amethyst.
Alternate: Turquoise
7th
Anniversary - Onyx.
Alternates: Yellow
Sapphire, Golden
Beryl
8th
Anniversary - Tourmaline.
Alternate: Tanzanite
9th
Anniversary - Lapis
Lazuli. Alternates: Amethyst,
Green
Spinel
10th
Anniversary – Diamond
Jewelry. Alternate:Blue
Sapphire
11th
Anniversary - Turquoise.
Alternates: Citrine,
Yellow
Zircon
12th
Anniversary - Jade.
Alternate:
Opal
13th
Anniversary - Citrine.
Alternates: Moonstone,
Hawk's
Eye
14th
Anniversary - Opal.
Alternates: Agate,
Bloodstone
15th
Anniversary - Ruby.
Alternates: Rhodolite
Garnet, Alexandrite
16th
Anniversary - Peridot.
Alternate:
Red Spinel
17th
Anniversary - Watches.
Alternate: Carnelian
18th
Anniversary - Cat's
Eye or Chrysoberyl
.
Alternate:Aquamarine
19th Anniversary - Aquamarine.
Alternate:Almandine
Garnet
20th
Anniversary - Emerald.
Alternate:
Yellow
or Golden Diamond
21st Anniversary - Iolite.
22nd
Anniversary - Spinel.
23rd
Anniversary - Imperial
Topaz.
24th
Anniversary - Tanzanite.
25th
Anniversary – Silver
Jubilee. Alternates: Tsavorite
, Green
Garnet
30th
Anniversary - Pearl
Jubilee.
35th
Anniversary - Emerald.
40th
Anniversary - Ruby.
45th
Anniversary - Sapphire.
Alternate:
Cat's
Eye
50th Anniversary - Golden
Jubilee. Alternate: Imperial
or Golden Topaz
55th
Anniversary - Alexandrite.
60th Anniversary - Diamond
Jubilee. Alternate: Star
Ruby
If you are a purist and don’t want to break with tradition,
however, there are other creative ways to satisfy your traditional inclinations
with modern flair. For instance, you can always tuck a ring inside a
leather wallet, tie a cluster of roses together with a bracelet, or hide a
necklace inside the pocket of a silk robe. You’ll be following
time-honored tradition while delivering an anniversary gift that engenders deep
feelings for years to come.