Did You Know? Each Wedding Anniversary Has Its Own Designated Gemstone! 💖
2022.05.16 published
About Wedding Anniversaries
A wedding anniversary is important for couples.
Wedding anniversaries are associated with names and meanings such as "○○ wedding" for each year, and it is well-known to give gifts related to these themes.
For example...
On the first wedding anniversary, it's Paper Wedding.
The meaning is "As pure as white paper, wishing for the couple's future happiness."
This translates to traditional gifts like letters and albums related to paper ♡
On the second wedding anniversary, it's Cotton Wedding.
Cotton symbolizes simplicity and frugality.
The meaning is "Though still immature, may we be able to establish a stable life from now on."
So gifts like handkerchiefs and pajamas are often given.
Do you know about wedding anniversary stones?
In fact, did you know that there are also designated "wedding anniversary stones" for each year?
Just like birthstones are assigned to each month from January to December,
💎 The stone for the first wedding anniversary is ○○○
💎 The stone for the second wedding anniversary is ○○○
💎 The stone for the third wedding anniversary is ○○○
Each of these stones is referred to as wedding anniversary stones.
Celebrating the day you became a couple and increasing your collection of jewelry featuring these stones each year is a lovely and admirable way to commemorate the occasion ♡
The origin of the wedding anniversary stones is uncertain and has various theories, but it is said that in England, the custom of celebrating wedding anniversaries already existed in the 18th and 19th centuries.
At that time, it was standard to celebrate only five milestones: 5, 15, 25, 50, and 60 years after marriage. It is said that this custom spread to the Americas, giving rise to naming conventions and gift-giving practices for each year.
The wedding anniversary stones recognized in Japan were established by the Japan Jewelry Retailers Association based on history and color.
Let me introduce them to you ♡
【1st Wedding Anniversary - Paper Wedding】 Pink Tourmaline
The wedding anniversary stone for the first year is Pink Tourmaline.
The gem's meaning includes "hope," "innocence," "purity," "friendship," and "generosity."
Its cute pink hue reminds me of the charming season of a newlywed couple ♡
【2nd Wedding Anniversary - Cotton Wedding】 Peridot
The wedding anniversary stone for the second year is Peridot.
The gem's meaning is "marital love" and "destined bond."
It’s easy to understand why this is chosen for a wedding anniversary stone, as it fits perfectly ♡
【3rd Wedding Anniversary - Leather Wedding】 Turquoise
The wedding anniversary stone for the third year is Turquoise.
Its meanings include "success," "prosperity," "health," and "safety in travel."
It has been used as a protective stone for travel for ages.
By the third year, many couples may have children and experience a lot of changes.
Purchasing jewelry featuring Peridot as a renewed vow to walk together through life’s journey may be a lovely idea.
【4th Wedding Anniversary - Flower Wedding】 Aquamarine
The wedding anniversary stone for the fourth year is Aquamarine.
The meanings of Aquamarine include "happiness," "wealth," and "wisdom."
This gem, which means "water of the sea" in Latin, is beautifully clear ♡
【5th Wedding Anniversary - Wood Wedding】 Citrine
The wedding anniversary stone for the fifth year is Citrine.
The gem's meanings include "prosperity," "success," "wealth," "happiness," and "hope."
Its vibrant yellow color evokes light.
I saw a post from someone overseas where a man gave his wife Citrine jewelry with the message, "You are Love, You are Light" ♡
"You are my beloved, you are my light." How romantic ♡
【6th Wedding Anniversary - Iron Wedding】 Freshwater Pearl
The wedding anniversary stone for the sixth year is Freshwater Pearl.
Its meanings include "health," "healing," and "longevity."
Freshwater pearls are pearls grown in fresh-water mussels from rivers and lakes. Their unique colors are charming, distinguishing them from pure white.
Recently, stylish baroque pearls with irregular shapes have become trendy, making for a great purchase to celebrate the sixth anniversary ♩
【7th Wedding Anniversary - Copper Wedding】 Yellow Sapphire
The wedding anniversary stone for the seventh year is Yellow Sapphire.
The meanings include "sincerity," "charity," "truth," and "chastity."
There are various shades of yellow, but the most valuable type is known as Golden Sapphire ♡
【8th Wedding Anniversary - Bronze Wedding】 Paraiba Tourmaline
The wedding anniversary stone for the eighth year is Paraiba Tourmaline.
This rare variety of tourmaline is only found in Paraiba, Brazil.
The gem's meaning is a bit rare, "roots."
It might be a stone that provides a chance to reflect on the past and think about the future.
【9th Wedding Anniversary - Pottery Wedding】 Pink Gold
The wedding anniversary stone for the ninth year is Pink Gold.
As a metal rather than a stone, it might feel a bit out of place in this list. However, Pink Gold has its meanings too: "message of love".
Accessories made from K18 pink gold blend nicely with the skin ♡
Perhaps a watch made with Pink Gold for your husband ♡
【10th Wedding Anniversary - Tin Wedding】 Sweet Ten-Diamond
The wedding anniversary for the tenth year is famously known as Sweet Ten.
Sweet Ten refers to the custom of giving ten diamonds from husband to wife! This tradition spread in Japan thanks to a De Beers commercial.
Some may think of this as a corporate strategy similar to Valentine's Day... but disregarding that, giving a diamond to your wife with gratitude for ten years of marriage feels wonderful and full of love ♡
It also serves as a second ring to symbolize the intention to continue together for the next ten years.
Wedding Anniversary Stones from 11th to 19th Year...
【11th Anniversary - Steel Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Tourmaline
Gem meanings: "hope," "innocence," "purity," "friendship," "generosity"
【12th Anniversary - Silk Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Agate
Gem meanings: "courage," "harmony in relationships," "longevity," "health"
【13th Anniversary - Lace Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Moonstone
Gem meanings: "health," "luck"
【14th Anniversary - Ivory Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Moss Agate
Gem meanings: "marital harmony," "sharing"
【15th Anniversary - Crystal Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Rock Crystal
Gem meanings: "purity," "perfection," "calmness," "mystery"
【16th Anniversary - Yellow Topaz Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Topaz
Gem meanings: "friendship," "brotherhood," "hope," "purity"
【17th Anniversary - Purple Topaz Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Amethyst
Gem meanings: "true love," "sincerity"
【18th Anniversary - Pomegranate Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Garnet
Gem meanings: "chastity," "truth," "friendship," "loyalty"
【19th Anniversary - Hyacinth Wedding】
Wedding Anniversary Stone: Zircon
Gem meanings: "dreams," "peace"
【20th Wedding Anniversary - China Wedding】 Jade
The wedding anniversary stone for the twentieth year is Jade.
Its meanings include "prosperity," "longevity," "happiness," and "stability."
It might be nice to purchase a Jade accessory as a wish for your family’s happiness, stable life, and longevity.
Jade is often used for magatama, and donut-shaped jade is considered a symbol of heaven in China*
【25th Wedding Anniversary - Silver Wedding】 Silver
The wedding anniversary stone for the twenty-fifth year is Silver.
Although not as widely known, Silver carries gem meanings like "purity," "clear conscience," and "youthful assertion."
Accessories made from Silver range from affordable to expensive, so be sure to find something you love.
【30th Wedding Anniversary - Pearl Wedding】 Pearl
The wedding anniversary stone for the thirtieth year is Pearl ♡
The gem's meanings include "health," "longevity," "wealth," and "innocence."
Pearls can be worn for both formal occasions and everyday use. It might be a nice idea to invest in some quality pearl items at this time.
Items from TASAKI or Mikimoto that can be passed down through generations to children and grandchildren are also lovely ♡
【50th Wedding Anniversary - Gold Wedding】 Gold
The wedding anniversary for the fiftieth year is the Gold Wedding. The stone is Gold.
The gem meanings include "sun," "success," "certain advice and strength," "virtue," and "respect."
【75th Wedding Anniversary - Diamond Wedding】 Diamond
Lastly, according to the jewelry retailers association, the final stone designated for wedding anniversaries is the Diamond for the seventy-fifth year.
The gem meanings include "purity," "cleanliness," "pure love," and "eternal bond."
The concept of an eternal bond is precisely fitting for a couple that has spent 75 years together.
If both partners can greet this day together, it must be a happy moment ♡
Wedding Anniversary Stones for Other Years...
23rd year (Blue Stone Wedding): Blue Sapphire
26th year (Stars and Stripes Blue Stone Wedding): Blue Star Sapphire
35th year (Coral Wedding): Coral
39th year (Cat's Eye Wedding): Cat's Eye
40th year (Ruby Wedding): Ruby
45th year (Alexandrite Wedding): Alexandrite
52nd year (Stars and Stripes Ruby Wedding): Star Ruby
55th year (Jade Wedding): Emerald
60th year (Golden Diamond Wedding): Yellow Diamond
65th year (Stars and Stripes Blue Stone Wedding): Grace Star Sapphire
67th year (Stars and Stripes Blue Stone Wedding): Purple Star Sapphire
Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries with Jewelry
I've introduced the wedding anniversary stones designated from the first year through each anniversary year.
Wedding anniversaries are significant days for couples ♡
Celebrating your wedding anniversary, or your parents' wedding anniversary, by giving jewelry featuring the anniversary stone for that year is so lovely ♡
Be sure to share this with your husband, family, and friends.
Recommended Jewelry Shops ♡
➡ Jewelry specialty store L&Co., established in Nihonbashi since 1937
➡ Bizoux, offering a wide variety of lovely colored stones