Celebrate Your Love with the Perfect Sparkle
A Sparkling Tradition Through Time
The tradition of giving specific gifts for each wedding anniversary dates back to the Middle Ages in Central Europe. In Germany, it was customary for husbands to give their wives a silver wreath on their 25th anniversary and a gold one on their 50th—symbolizing harmony and prosperity. Over time, this practice evolved, and by the Victorian era, anniversary gift-giving expanded to include more years and meaningful materials. In the 20th century, both traditional and modern gift lists were published by jewelers’ associations and etiquette experts, offering a beautiful way to mark each passing year with intention and sentiment.
Today, this cherished tradition lives on—elevated with timeless jewelry that speaks the language of love.
At Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry, we believe in celebrating love stories with elegance and purpose. This guide walks you through the traditional and modern anniversary themes—and offers jewelry recommendations tailored to each one.
1st Anniversary – Gold (Modern) / Paper (Traditional)
The modern gift of gold for the first anniversary symbolizes wealth, warmth, and prosperity in your marriage’s foundation. Paper may represent fragility, but gold offers strength and enduring value.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Minimalist gold necklace with initials or wedding date
- Gold hoop earrings or a delicate gold bracelet
- For him: A sleek gold chain or gold-accented cufflinks
- Source: IGS- First Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Gold Jewelry
5th Anniversary – Sapphire (Modern) / Wood (Traditional)
Sapphires symbolize truth, loyalty, and inner peace—perfect for couples five years strong. While wood represents strength and growth, sapphire captures the emotional depth you’ve cultivated.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Sapphire and diamond halo pendant or ring
- Elegant sapphire studs or eternity band
- Men’s sapphire-accented timepiece or cufflinks
- Source: American Gem Society – Anniversary Gemstones
10th Anniversary – Diamond
Ten years calls for brilliance and durability—nothing captures that better than diamonds. A decade of love, memories, and strength deserves to sparkle.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Diamond tennis bracelet or anniversary ring
- Solitaire pendant or diamond drop earrings
- His & hers diamond-accented watches
- Source: Gemological Institute of America – Diamond Facts
15th Anniversary – Ruby
Known as the “king of gems,” rubies symbolize passion, protection, and enduring love. For your 15th anniversary, lean into softer, heart-shaped, more romantic pieces. After 15 incredible years, you’ve built something powerful—and ruby honors that fiery, deep-rooted commitment.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Ruby heart-shaped pendant or cluster ring
- Ruby and diamond anniversary band
- Vintage-inspired ruby cufflinks for him
- Source: American Gem Society- The Beauty of Ruby Gemstones: Fun Facts About Rubies Revealed
20th Anniversary – Emerald
Emeralds represent love that’s stood the test of time. Rich in color and history, they symbolize harmony, growth, and renewal.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Emerald halo engagement ring upgrade
- Emerald pendant necklace or statement earrings
- Emerald-accented tie bar or lapel pin
- Source: Gem Society – The History of Emerald
25th Anniversary – Silver
Often called the Silver Jubilee, 25 years is a monumental achievement. Silver is reflective and graceful, just like a love that has grown wiser with time.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Sterling silver cuff with custom engraving
- Silver locket with wedding photo
- For him: Polished silver bracelet or personalized tie clip
- Source: The I Do Guide –Silver Secrets: What is 25th Wedding Anniversary?
30th Anniversary – Pearl
Pearls represent wisdom and beauty born from experience—perfect for honoring a love that’s deep, elegant, and nurtured over three decades.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Classic pearl strand or drop earrings
- Modern pearl ring or pearl-inlaid brooch
- For him: Pearl cufflinks or tie tack
- Source: GIA – Pearl Information
40th Anniversary – Ruby (Again)
The ruby comes back stronger—this time symbolizing the enduring fire of a love that’s lasted four decades. It’s like love that’s been through storms, seasons, and still burns bright. Think of it as Ruby 2.0: bolder, deeper, and even more earned. A 40-year marriage is rare and powerful, and rubies are the perfect way to reflect that intensity.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Bold ruby cocktail rings
- Bold ruby statement necklace
- His and hers matching ruby-accented bands
- Source: IGS– Anniversary Gifts By Year
50th Anniversary – Gold
Half a century together deserves gold—the metal of royalty, longevity, and deep commitment. It’s a full-circle moment from your first year.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Custom gold ring or eternity band
- Gold locket with engraved initials
- Family birthstone bracelet set in gold
- Source: Families for Life– Celebrating the Golden Anniversary: Mining & Refining the 50 Years
75th Anniversary – Diamond
Often called the Diamond Jubilee, the 75th anniversary returns to the most iconic symbol of enduring love: the diamond. This is the rarest and most prestigious milestone of all—celebrating a lifetime of partnership, loyalty, and legacy.
Jewelry Ideas:
- A dazzling diamond brooch passed down through generations
- Custom diamond-studded pendant with family initials
- A diamond-encrusted band or eternity ring upgrade
- For him: A luxury diamond watch or tie pin
- Source: International Star Registry –75th Anniversary gift – Diamond and Gold: Timeless Legacy
100th Anniversary – 10K Gold or Custom Legacy Piece (Symbolic Only)
While there isn’t an official gemstone for the 100th anniversary (since few couples reach it), some jewelers and historians suggest 10K gold, representing a full century of resilience and grace. This milestone is more often celebrated as a family or brand legacy—perhaps by honoring the memory of the couple or showcasing generational love.
Jewelry Ideas:
- Custom family crest or heritage pendant
- 100-stone diamond bracelet to represent each year
- A gold legacy locket with images of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
- Jewelry redesign using the original wedding bands as the centerpiece
Honorable Mentions: Celebrate Any Year Meaningfully
Even if you’re not celebrating a traditional milestone, every anniversary is worth commemorating. Consider:
- Birthstone Jewelry – Use birthstones from each partner or children.
- Custom Engraved Pieces – Add coordinates, dates, or a short phrase only you two understand.
- Upgraded Wedding Set – Renew vows with a new diamond or a redesigned ring.
- Layered Jewelry – Stackable rings or necklaces with charms to mark each year.
How to Upgrade Past Anniversary Jewelry
Have a piece of jewelry that was handed down through generations, but it’s not quite her style? Maybe it needs to be cleaned up, reimagined, or infused with a little more you. Or maybe… you’re on the hunt for something one-of-a-kind that no one else in the world has.
Custom jewelry is one of our specialties. Whether you’re searching for the perfect anniversary gift or dreaming of a piece that holds deep meaning, our team at Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry is here to help bring your vision to life.
Some of our favorite upgrade ideas:
- Reset a family diamond into a modern band or pendant she’ll actually wear
- Add children’s or grandchildren’s birthstones to a classic piece
- Transform a vintage brooch into a stunning necklace or charm bracelet
- Breathe new life into worn or tarnished jewelry with in-house cleaning & repair
Why Choose Hendrickson's Fine Jewelry?
We don’t just sell jewelry at Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry—we help you tell your love story. Whether you’re selecting a timeless piece for your next milestone or redesigning a family heirloom to match her style, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
From custom designs to in-house repairs and restorations, we specialize in creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind jewelry that reflects your heart, your journey, and your future together. Every love story deserves a sparkle as unique as the bond it represents—let’s create something unforgettable together.
