Anniversary Gifts by Year — Find the Perfect Gift

Each anniversary has a traditional gift, a modern gift and a gemstone. The early traditional gifts are paper (1st), cotton (2nd), leather (3rd) and wood (5th); the great milestones are silver (25th), ruby (40th), gold (50th) and diamond (60th). Use the finder above to see all three gift types for any year, with the stone's colour and meaning.

Traditional gifts follow centuries-old custom, with the material growing more durable each year. The modern list was standardised by the American National Retail Jeweler Association in 1937 to offer updated alternatives — for example, the first anniversary is paper traditionally but a clock on the modern list. The finder shows both side by side.

There is more than one anniversary gemstone tradition. We use the official list published by Jewelers of America, the body descended from the trade association that created the modern gift list in 1937, which is the most widely recognised in the jewellery industry. Some sites use older or regional lists, so you may see a different stone quoted for the same year. We've chosen one authoritative list and use it consistently so your results stay reliable.

These are the best-known milestones: the 25th is the Silver anniversary, the 40th is Ruby, the 50th is the Golden anniversary, and the 60th is Diamond. They are the years most couples mark with fine jewellery in the matching metal or stone.

Beyond the year's traditional material, jewellery is a lasting choice — a piece in that year's gemstone, or matching 'couples' jewellery you both wear. For men, simple engraved or matching designs tend to work best. Pick your year above and choose the 'Gift for: Him' option to see suggestions.

A piece set with the anniversary's gemstone is a meaningful, personal gift — ruby for the 15th, emerald for the 20th, or any year's stone. Birthstone-style necklaces and rings let you personalise the stone. Choose your year above and select 'Gift for: Her'.

The gemstone list is the same, but a few early traditional gifts differ between US and UK custom — for example the 6th anniversary is Iron in the US and Sugar in the UK, and the 9th is Pottery in the US and Copper in the UK. This finder shows the tradition for your region automatically.

Use the 'By wedding date' mode above and enter your wedding date. It shows which anniversary is coming up, counts down the days to the date, and gives you that year's traditional, modern and gemstone gift.