What jewelry to present on a wedding anniversary
Guide to Wedding Anniversaries and Their Meanings
Each wedding anniversary is associated with a symbolic material or element, which can serve as inspiration when choosing a gift. Among the best-known celebrations are the silver anniversary (25 years), the golden anniversary (50 years), and the diamond anniversary (60 years). The chosen piece of jewelry can reflect this symbolism: silver at 25 years, gold at 50, and diamonds at 60. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the different wedding anniversaries and jewelry suggestions to mark each one.
What are wedding anniversaries?
Wedding anniversaries are the symbolic designations assigned to each year of marriage. Each year corresponds to a material that symbolizes the strengthening of the relationship over time. The tradition dates back to medieval Europe, when it was customary to give a wife a silver crown on her 25th wedding anniversary and a gold crown on her 50th. Over time, each anniversary came to be associated with its own symbolic material.
What Jewelry to Give for Different Celebrations
Among the various wedding anniversaries, three stand out for their strong connection to jewelry. These are particularly symbolic milestones and an opportunity to choose a piece that will stand the test of time.
Silver Anniversary (25 years). Silver gives this celebration its name and naturally inspires the choice of jewelry. Earrings, a ring, or a pendant in white gold are elegant ways to mark a quarter-century of marriage. For a more special choice, white gold set with diamonds preserves the luminosity associated with silver while adding the timelessness of the diamond.
Golden Anniversary (50 years). Half a century of marriage is celebrated with gold. A ring, a new wedding band in yellow gold, or a pendant with a precious stone can mark this occasion in a special way. It is also a particularly meaningful time to create a custom piece of jewelry, designed to reflect the couple’s history and journey.
Diamond Anniversary (60 years). A symbol of eternity, strength, and permanence, the diamond represents six decades of shared life in a special way. A ring, pendant, or pair of earrings set with natural diamonds makes for a timeless choice to celebrate such a rare and meaningful milestone.
Here is a table of the gemstones and precious metals associated with each wedding anniversary:
What are wedding anniversaries?
Wedding anniversaries are the symbolic designations assigned to each year of marriage. Each year corresponds to a material that symbolizes the strengthening of the relationship over time. The tradition dates back to medieval Europe, when it was customary to give a wife a silver crown on her 25th wedding anniversary and a gold crown on her 50th. Over time, each anniversary came to be associated with its own symbolic material.
What Jewelry to Give for Different Celebrations
Among the various wedding anniversaries, three stand out for their strong connection to jewelry. These are particularly symbolic milestones and an opportunity to choose a piece that will stand the test of time.
Silver Anniversary (25 years). Silver gives this celebration its name and naturally inspires the choice of jewelry. Earrings, a ring, or a pendant in white gold are elegant ways to mark a quarter-century of marriage. For a more special choice, white gold set with diamonds preserves the luminosity associated with silver while adding the timelessness of the diamond.
Golden Anniversary (50 years). Half a century of marriage is celebrated with gold. A ring, a new wedding band in yellow gold, or a pendant with a precious stone can mark this occasion in a special way. It is also a particularly meaningful time to create a custom piece of jewelry, designed to reflect the couple’s history and journey.
Diamond Anniversary (60 years). A symbol of eternity, strength, and permanence, the diamond represents six decades of shared life in a special way. A ring, pendant, or pair of earrings set with natural diamonds makes for a timeless choice to celebrate such a rare and meaningful milestone.
Here is a table of the gemstones and precious metals associated with each wedding anniversary:
What Jewelry to Give for Each Wedding Anniversary
Gemstone jewelry to celebrate each wedding anniversary: The ruby traditionally marks 40 years of marriage, the sapphire 45 years, and the emerald is associated with 20 and 35 years. A ring, necklace, or pair of earrings featuring the corresponding gemstone allows you to incorporate the meaning of each anniversary into a piece of jewelry that can be worn for years to come.
Pearls to celebrate 30 years of marriage: Pearls form slowly over time, making them a particularly fitting symbol to celebrate three decades of marriage. A pearl necklace or earrings are a classic and timeless choice to mark the Pearl Anniversary.
Silver, Gold, and Platinum for Major Anniversaries: Some of the most significant anniversaries are associated with precious metals themselves: silver marks 25 years, gold marks 50, and platinum marks 70 years of marriage. In these cases, the metal can take center stage in the choice of jewelry, through a design that reflects the history and style of the recipient.
How to Personalize Wedding Anniversary Jewelry
Wedding anniversary jewelry becomes even more special when it’s designed with the recipient in mind. Personalization can include engraving a date or initials, choosing a gemstone with special meaning, or creating a piece from scratch, inspired by the couple’s story.
In fine jewelry, a custom-made piece allows you to combine the symbolism of the wedding anniversary with the style and personality of the wearer. The result is a truly unique piece of jewelry, designed to celebrate an equally unique story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are silver, gold, and diamond wedding anniversaries? A silver wedding anniversary celebrates 25 years of marriage, a gold wedding anniversary marks 50 years, and a diamond wedding anniversary marks 60 years. These are three of the most iconic wedding anniversaries, each associated with a material that symbolizes the longevity of the union.
What kind of jewelry is given for a silver anniversary? For a silver anniversary, which celebrates 25 years of marriage, you might choose a piece of jewelry made of silver or white gold, such as a ring, earrings, or a pendant. In fine jewelry, white gold set with diamonds is a sophisticated option that maintains the tone associated with silver.
What is the gemstone for a 40th wedding anniversary? A 40th wedding anniversary is known as the ruby anniversary. Known for its intense red color, the ruby symbolizes the passion, strength, and durability of a relationship built over four decades.
What is the 45th wedding anniversary? The 45th wedding anniversary is the sapphire anniversary, a gemstone traditionally associated with loyalty, trust, and the longevity of the union.
Where does the tradition of wedding anniversaries come from? The tradition of wedding anniversaries has its roots in ancient European customs, in which certain wedding anniversaries were marked with symbolic materials, such as silver for the 25th and gold for the 50th. Over time, the tradition evolved, and materials and symbols were associated with other wedding anniversaries.
Monseo is a Portuguese fine jewelry brand, founded in Porto in 1972, specializing in the creation of gold jewelry set with diamonds and natural gemstones. The brand also creates custom jewelry and exclusive pieces to celebrate wedding anniversaries, engagements, weddings, and other special occasions, combining Portuguese jewelry-making tradition with contemporary design in pieces conceived and produced in Portugal.
