Anniversary Gifts by Year: Traditional, Modern and Jewelry Ideas

Anniversary gifts by year follow two well-known lists: a traditional list that assigns a material to each year of marriage, and a modern list that swaps in gifts that feel more current. Jewelry sits comfortably in both, which is why so many couples return to it for milestones. This guide walks through both lists, points out where reputable sources disagree, and suggests jewelry that fits each year, so you can choose something personal without needing to follow the lists to the letter.

Where the anniversary gift lists come from

Linking gifts to years of marriage is an old idea. Silver and gold anniversaries have been documented in Germanic countries since the 1500s, and English-speaking countries adopted the habit more widely in the 19th century. The lists most people know today took shape in the 20th century: in 1937 the American National Retail Jewelers Association published an expanded list with a gift for each year up to the 20th anniversary, then every fifth year after that.

Because several organizations and publishers have revised the lists since, they are not identical. Treat them as a source of ideas and a bit of tradition, not a rulebook. If a gift means something to the two of you, it fits.

Anniversary gifts by year: traditional and modern lists with jewelry ideas

The table below pulls together the most common traditional and modern gifts for the years couples celebrate most often, alongside jewelry that suits each one. Traditional and modern entries follow The Knot's list, cross-checked against other sources discussed after the table. Jewelry ideas are our suggestions, not part of the official lists.

Year	Traditional	Modern	Jewelry that fits
1st	Paper	Clocks	A simple initial pendant or bracelet
2nd	Cotton	China	Delicate gold studs or huggie hoops
3rd	Leather	Crystal or glass	A pearl or clear-stone accent piece
5th	Wood	Silverware	A stacking band, such as a wrap or braided ring
7th	Copper or wool	Desk sets	Rose gold, which gets its warm color from copper
10th	Tin or aluminum	Diamond jewelry	Diamond earrings, a pendant or a ring
12th	Silk or linen	Pearl	Pearl or jade jewelry
15th	Crystal	Watches	A watch, or a bracelet worn on the wrist beside it
20th	China	Platinum	White gold or platinum, emerald as the gemstone
25th	Sterling silver	Sterling silver	White gold or a silver-toned engraved piece
30th	Pearl	Diamond	Pearls or a diamond ring
35th	Coral	Jade	Coral or jade jewelry
40th	Ruby	Ruby	Ruby jewelry
45th	Sapphire	Sapphire	Sapphire jewelry
50th	Gold	Gold	Solid gold in any color, such as a bracelet or pendant
55th	Emerald	Emerald	Emerald studs or a pendant
60th	Diamond	Diamond	A diamond ring or earrings

Where the lists differ

If you compare sources, you will notice small disagreements. These are the ones worth knowing about:

• Year 6: iron is the usual US traditional gift, while some publishers list candy, and the British tradition uses sugar.
• Year 2: cotton in most US lists, but British lists give paper or cotton, and some US lists say cotton or fiber.
• Year 9: pottery in most lists, though The Knot adds willow, and its modern entry is leather.
• Year 14: ivory is the traditional entry, and The Knot gives gold jewelry as the modern gift.
• Year 30: pearl is traditional, while diamond appears as the modern gift in The Knot and in jeweler Borsheims' list. Some publishers leave the modern entry blank.
• Years 50 to 60: gold, emerald and diamond are consistent, but a few modern lists omit them.

The gemstone for each year also varies by source. Year 8 is a good example, where The Knot lists tourmaline or tanzanite, and year 55 is listed as alexandrite there but emerald elsewhere. When two lists disagree, choose whichever suits your partner's taste.

Jewelry gifts for the early years

The first few anniversaries tend to call for something personal and wearable every day. A gold piece with an initial is a natural first anniversary choice, since it recalls the paper theme without being fragile. Our small initial chain bracelet in 14k gold and hexagon initial stud earrings work well here, especially as a nod to a partner, child or shared name. Check each product page for the initials available.

By the fifth anniversary, many couples look for something that marks the passage of time. A wrap or braided band from the Hug Me collection, such as the Hug Me braided band in 14k gold, can be worn alone or stacked with a wedding band, and it suits the symbolism of two strands woven together.

Jewelry gifts for the 10th anniversary and beyond

The tenth anniversary is the classic moment for diamond jewelry, and the modern list names it directly. Our Unity collection features diamond details in necklaces, a bracelet, earrings and rings. The Unity double finger ring and Unity earrings are two options for a first diamond gift that still feels understated.

For the 20th and 25th, the lists point to platinum and silver. Solid 14k white gold has a similar silvery tone, though it is a different metal from either, so if the platinum or silver theme matters to you, buy those metals directly. For the 30th and beyond, pearl, ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond each have their own milestone, and a gold setting suits all of them. A piece in solid gold also answers the 50th anniversary directly.

Anniversary bands are another option at any year. A band can be worn beside a wedding band and engagement ring, or as an upgrade or a right-hand ring.

How to choose when the list does not fit

• Think about what your partner wears. Notice what they reach for each morning, then choose a piece that works with it.
• Match the metal. If your partner mostly wears yellow, white or rose gold, stay in that color so the piece integrates with what they already own.
• Choose meaning over the list. An initial, a birthstone or the stone from your engagement ring can say more than the official entry for the year.
• Get the size right. Use our ring, necklace and bracelet size guide before you buy, especially for rings.

If you are not sure where to begin, our gift guide questionnaire asks a few questions about the person and the occasion and points you toward pieces that suit them.

Frequently asked questions

What are the traditional anniversary gifts by year?

The traditional list gives a material for each year: paper for the first, cotton for the second, leather for the third, wood for the fifth, tin or aluminum for the tenth, crystal for the fifteenth, china for the twentieth, silver for the twenty-fifth, pearl for the thirtieth, ruby for the fortieth, gold for the fiftieth and diamond for the sixtieth. Some years differ slightly between sources.

What is the difference between traditional and modern anniversary gifts?

The traditional list reflects older conventions built around materials such as paper, cotton and wood. The modern list uses more contemporary gifts, such as clocks for the first anniversary, silverware for the fifth, diamond jewelry for the tenth and watches for the fifteenth. Many couples borrow from both.

What is the best jewelry gift for a 10th anniversary?

Diamond jewelry is the modern gift for the tenth anniversary, and diamond is also the gemstone most often given for this year. Earrings, a pendant or a ring are all suitable, so choose the piece your partner is most likely to wear daily.

Do I have to follow the anniversary gift list?

No. The lists are a source of ideas, not a requirement. Plenty of couples choose a piece that carries a personal meaning instead, and that is every bit as thoughtful.

Choosing anniversary gifts by year that feel personal

Whether you follow the traditional list, the modern list or neither, a piece of jewelry made to be worn every day is a lasting way to mark an anniversary. Browse our rings, necklaces and other collections, or start with the gift guide to narrow the choices. Orders from November 1 to December 25 can be returned within 60 days, and shipping within the US is complimentary.

Sources

• The Knot, Every Traditional and Modern Anniversary Gift by Year: https://www.theknot.com/content/milestone-anniversary-gift-ideas
• MasterClass, Anniversary Gifts by Year: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/anniversary-gifts-by-year
• Wikipedia, Wedding anniversary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary
• Borsheims, Anniversary gifts by year: https://borsheims.com/blog/?p=6930