Each wedding anniversary is a huge milestone and deserves to be celebrated appropriately. There is actually certain types of anniversary jewelry, for each year of marriage. Keep reading for your guide on what to get your significant other for your first ten years of marriage.
First Year Anniversary Jewelry: Gold
Your first anniversary is probably the most sentimental. Only a year of marriage under your belt, you are likely still in your honeymoon phase, and you absolutely should be.
But weddings and just starting out can be expensive. You probably don’t have a ton of disposable income, which is why you don’t have to go crazy on your first anniversary. Which is why gold jewelry makes the perfect first anniversary gift.
For her, choose something like a simple gold necklace, or bracelet. You can even add charms to your gold piece to celebrate milestones. For him, go with a gold necklace, ring, cuff links, or some other gift with gold accents.
2nd Anniversary: Garnet
Garnet comes in a range of colors like yellow, pink, green (tsavorite), but this gem is mostly associated with the color red. Red garnet or “rhodolite” garnet, is a pretty hard stone, which is fitting since the second year of marriage can be hard too.
Garnet can be used in any design or jewelry piece. You can add this stone to rings, pendants, and earrings. This stone really pops when set in white gold or platinum. You can even design your own gemstone ring.
3rd Anniversary: Pearls
You can pick out pearls that are either cultured or natural. Natural pearls are more expensive, but that is honestly the only real difference between the two types of pearls. Cultured pearls grow the same way as natural pearls, and both are developed from an oyster or mussel.
Natural pearls turn into a pearl naturally, while cultured ones are farmed. Whichever pearl you go with, both are available in a range of colors from classic white, to green, blue, pink, golden, gray and black.
You can have your pearls on a matched string, necklace, earring, ring or pendant. Just know that pears are more fragile than other materials, so if you go with a ring, only wear it when you’re not being active. For men, you can get anything that has mother-of-pearl inlaid.
4th anniversary: Blue Topaz
Topaz can be found in many shades and colors. Originally, blue topaz was the rarest. But today, with the permanent treatment, and diffusion which is the coating and heating of elements like beryllium, the material turns into a colorless light blue topaz.
This treatment is permanent, and deeper blues called “Swiss blue” and “London Blue” can be caused by heating and irritation. However, blue topaz is a strong stone, and a lot of shades look stunning in a range of jewelry styles from pendants and earring to rings and bracelets.
And a fun history fact, blue topaz historically is connected with affection and love. Which of course, after four years of marriage you should be feeling.
5th Anniversary: Sapphire
Speaking of blue, sapphire usual color is blue, although it can come in various colors. If you’re over blue by the fifth anniversary, perhaps check out a pink, white or violet sapphire stone. There is even Padparadscha sapphire which comes in orange with a tone of pink.
Sapphires get their stunning color form being treated by heat or with diffusion. Either way, this gives sapphires their permanent color. A sapphire stone is hard and durable, which after five years of being married, so is your marriage!
For her, this stone is stunning in jewelry. For him use this stone as an accent of some sort.
6th Anniversary: Amethyst
When you think of amethyst, you likely are envisioning a purple stone. Actually, there are various shades of this stone that are more blue or red, you might also see a green color. This is because some stones may need heat to enhance their color, and this treatment is permanent.
You can get amethysts stones available in a wide range of jewelry. This stone is a nice way to commemorate six years of marriage. Since the stone, like marriage, might not be what you expected.
7th Anniversary: Onyx
Onyx is a durable and hard stone, that is usually used for carving, and often in men’s jewelry. There is not a better stone for your seventh anniversary, as it’s a nice way to finally give him some jewelry!
Look for a bold onyx ring, perhaps one with diamond accents. This accessory can be a beautiful way to commemorate the occasion. For her, look into a black onyx with metal. This makes a stunning color-block with a stylish twist.
8th Anniversary: Tourmaline
Whatever your favorite color is, you likely can find it in tourmaline. No matter what you and your husband’s favorite color is, you might find it in the same gem.
Tourmalines are often called “parti-colored” by gemologists. This is because of the watermelon tourmaline which like the fruit watermelons, is parti-colored, and has a mix of green and red colors. When Tourmaline is irradiated or heated it creates these colors which are permanent.
A tourmaline can work for either him or her. It’s changing color might be reflective of eight years of marriage, as things must have changed (for better or worse by now).
9th Anniversary: Lapis Lazuli
While this might not be the most popular blue stone out here, you can still find some charms in Lapis Lazuli. This blue stone almost looks like a bluer turquoise stone. Its durability can work for jewelry for her, or as an accent on an accessory for him.
10th Anniversary: Diamond Jewelry
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and a tenth anniversary’s best friend apparently. Ten years of marriage (with today’s divorce statistics) is a huge milestone, so go diamond!
She will love a diamond band to add to her engagement ring, and if he wears an earring, perhaps a diamond stud.
Get Your Anniversary Jewerely Today
Wedding anniversaries are a huge deal. Celebrate the right way with these anniversary jewelry stones, which don’t have to be that expensive. Showing each other you care makes all the difference.
For more marriage advice, check out our blog.