The traditional list of anniversary gemstones has a big problem – you have to wait a long time before you get to the good stuff.
These are the traditional gifts that Wikipedia lists:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary#Gemstone_gifts
As you can see, the first really decent gift comes at 12 years with jade. Not that there is anything wrong with garnet and topaz, but to wait 40 years for ruby, and 65 for sapphire is just unreasonable.
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| Emerald, ruby and sapphire make exquisite anniversary gifts. But why wait for decades before you give them to the one you love? |
Here is my alternative list. Sure, not for everyone, in fact, it should be exclusive to those only who really love their chosen partner.
|
Year |
Traditional Gemstone |
Alternative, If you really love them |
Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mother of Pearl | Moissanite | Better than diamond in every way. You can show your friends and family the success of your first year with a much larger and more beautiful gemstone |
| 2nd | Garnet | Warm garnet remembers the good times and is a promise of better things yet to come | |
| 3rd | Moonstone | A more subtle beauty, as your love matures | |
| 4th | Blue Topaz | Four years, some tears, but still strong together | |
| 5th | Rose Quartz | Ruby | No one should have to wait longer than five years for a ruby |
| 6th | Amethyst | Things have worked out, cherish and protect | |
| 7th | Onyx | Gold Sheen Sapphire | Deep, complex and endlessly fascinating. Just like your relationship, with the longevity of sapphire. |
| 8th | Tourmaline | Sapphire | Doubling down on topaz, see, you really mean it. |
| 9th | Lapis Lazuli | Spinel | Underrated and not many people get it. But you both do, spinel exemplifies this. |
| 10th | Crystal or green Tourmaline | Emerald | A decade, and you have to top Ruby and sapphire somehow, only an Emerald will do. |
| 11th | Turquoise | Aquamarine | An extra blue cherry on the emerald cake of last year |
| 12th | Jade | Can’t beat jade for year 12 | |
| 13th | Citrine | The best colour citrine can hold its own, bring in the sun and prosperity | |
| 14th | Opal | So many wonderful memories | |
| 15th | Rhodolite | Morganite | Celebrate with something different and unique, just like the both of you |
| 20th | Emerald | Alexandrite | The best properties of ruby and emerald. 20 Years deserves this exclusivity. |
| 25th | Tsavorite | Rare and beautiful, nothing else needs to be said | |
| 30th | Pearl | No problem to stick with tradition at this stage. | |
| 40th | Ruby | Of course ruby again. | |
| 50th | Gold | 24 karat, only | |
| 60th | Diamond | Moissanite, but a set | Remember your first anniversary? |
| 65th | Sapphire | A very big one | You have earned the best of the best |
Yes, it is a little bit tongue-in-cheek. But why not? No one should wait for years for the beauty of a gift of a wonderful gemstone.