Certain gifts have always been associated with certain anniversaries, but there was no “traditional gift” for any particular year until Emily Post – etiquette guru – published a list of suggested anniversary gifts and their corresponding years in her 1922 publication, “Etiquette.” While Post’s list is one of the most well known anniversary gift guides today, it may not be as traditional as it seems.
For thousands of years, couples have received precious gemstones from their loved ones as anniversary gifts. The stones weren’t just given as congratulatory baubles, but as talisman. The Romans wore them as symbols of love, protection, and status. The Egyptians gave amethyst, turquoise and lapis lazuli. These gifts were meant to bring the couple through the coming years safely together, and if all went well – some of the gemstones were said to bring fertility, prosperity, and spiritual guidance.
For this reason, there is now a respected Anniversary Gemstone List. It is not only endorsed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) but also the American Gem Society, the American Gem Trade Association, and the Jewelers of America. Each year, as love grows and the relationship builds, the gifts are said to correspond accordingly with a couple’s needs and symbolize the bond of two as one. Below is the accepted Gemstone Anniversary Gift Giving Guide. You will notice that some (like with Ms. Post’s gift giving guide) offer two or three different options.
Anniversary Stones Gift Guide:
| Anniversary Year | Gemstone Gift | Anniversary Year | Gemstone Gift |
| 1 | Gold or Freshwater Pearls | 18 | Cat’s Eye or Opal |
| 2 | Garnet or Rose Quartz | 19 | Aquamarine or Topaz |
| 3 | Pearl or Crystal | 20 | Emerald or Platinum |
| 4 | Blue Topaz or Amethyst | 21 | Iolite |
| 5 | Sapphire or Turquoise | 22 | Spinel |
| 6 | Amethyst or Garnet | 23 | Imperial Topaz or Sapphire |
| 7 | Onyx, Copper or Lapis Lazuli | 24 | Tanzanite |
| 8 | Tourmaline or Bronze | 25 | Sterling Silver |
| 9 | Lapis Lazuli or Tiger’s Eye | 30 | Pearls, Jade or Diamonds |
| 10 | Diamond | 35 | Emerald, Coral or Jade |
| 11 | Turquoise or Jade | 40 | Ruby |
| 12 | Jade, Agate or Pearl | 45 | Sapphire or Alexandrite |
| 13 | Citrine, Malachite or Moonstone | 50 | Gold |
| 14 | Opal, Ivory or Moss Agate | 55 | Alexandrite or Emerald |
| 15 | Ruby or Crystal | 60 | Diamonds |
| 16 | Peridot | 65 | Star Sapphire |
| 17 | Amethyst or Citrine | 75 | Gold and Diamonds |
