Anniversary Jewelry Guide

Anniversary jewelry by year

The traditional anniversary list assigns materials to milestone years, and several of them are jewelry: silver for the 25th, pearl for the 30th, ruby for the 40th, sapphire for the 45th, gold for the 50th, emerald for the 55th, and diamond for the 60th. The modern list also names diamond jewelry for the 10th.

You do not have to follow the list, but it is a thoughtful starting point, and it overlaps with the birthstone guide for people who love colored stones.

Anniversary and eternity bands

An anniversary band is the most literal anniversary jewelry: a band, often set with diamonds, worn with the engagement ring and wedding band. A half-eternity band sets stones across the top; a full eternity band sets them all the way around.

Full eternity bands are hard or impossible to resize because stones cover the whole shank, so the size must be right. Browse diamond wedding bands, stackable rings, and lab-grown diamond stackable rings.

Match what she already wears

An anniversary band sits beside rings that already exist, so match three things. Metal color, so the stack looks like one set. Diamond origin, natural or laboratory-grown, so the stones tell one story. And profile, so the new band sits flush against the engagement ring rather than leaving a gap.

If the engagement ring has a raised head or a halo, a contour band shaped to follow it may be needed. See how to stack rings.

Earrings and pendants

Diamond studs and pendants make excellent anniversary gifts because they need no ring size. A pair of diamond stud earrings or a solitaire diamond pendant suits almost anyone, and upgrading an earlier pair of studs to a larger size is a classic milestone gift.

Pierced earrings are final sale for hygiene reasons, so confirm the metal and back type before ordering. Pendants in original, unworn condition can be returned within 7 days of delivery.

Colored stones and pearls

For the 30th, pearls are the traditional gift, in studs, pendants, or a strand. Rubies for the 40th and sapphires for the 45th are both very hard, 9 on the Mohs scale, and suit rings worn daily.

Emeralds for the 55th are softer and more fragile, better in pendants and earrings or in protective settings. Every product page names each stone and whether it is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation. Browse earrings and necklaces.

Ring size without spoiling the surprise

For a ring, borrow one she wears on the same finger and measure its inside diameter, or press it into a bar of soap to record the size. Our ring size guide has a size chart in millimeters.

Rings made in your size are final sale, so a stocked-size style is safer if you are not certain. If her rings will sit together, remember that several bands on one finger feel tighter than one.

Timing the gift

Order early. In-stock pieces typically leave our fulfillment network within one to five business days after payment is captured, and rings made in your size need extra processing days before they ship. Insured ground shipping is free, and next-day and Saturday delivery are offered at checkout.

Your card is authorized at checkout and charged only after we accept the order. See the Shipping Policy for delivery details.

A gift that lasts

Solid gold and platinum hold their color and can be polished, repaired, and passed down, which suits a gift meant to mark years together. Sterling silver keeps a meaningful piece affordable and is a precious metal in its own right.

Every order is covered by our one-year Limited Warranty against manufacturing defects. For budget planning, see choosing diamond jewelry by budget.

Ideas by milestone

For a first anniversary, a small piece in solid gold, such as a fine chain or a pair of studs, starts a tradition that can grow. Around the fifth year, many couples add a first diamond piece outside the engagement ring, such as a pendant or a pair of diamond studs. The tenth anniversary is associated with diamond jewelry on the modern list, and a diamond band or eternity-style ring is a common choice.

The twenty-fifth anniversary is silver, the thirtieth pearl, the fortieth ruby, and the fiftieth gold, and the sixtieth is diamond. Birthstones of children or grandchildren added to a pendant or ring are another way to mark the years. Browse diamond wedding bands and diamond earrings.

Common questions

What is an eternity band? A band set with stones around most or all of its circumference. Full eternity bands usually cannot be resized because stones cover the whole band, so the size must be right when ordered; half eternity bands keep a plain section that a jeweler can work on.

Should an anniversary band match the wedding band? It does not have to. Matching the metal color helps the rings sit well together, while a different width or stone pattern marks the new ring as its own milestone.

Can we upgrade an engagement ring at an anniversary? Many couples do, by adding a band, a matching piece, or a larger center stone set by a jeweler. We do not have a trade-in program, so the original ring stays yours.

Is it too late to give an anniversary gift if we missed the date? Never. Insured ground shipping is free, and faster delivery is offered at checkout; every order still needs its processing days before it ships, which the Shipping Policy explains.

Do we have to follow the traditional list? No. The lists are a source of ideas, not rules. A piece in the metal and style your partner actually wears is a better gift than a stone chosen only because of the year.

What if I do not know my partner's ring size? Choose a necklace, a bracelet, or earrings, or measure a ring they already wear on the same finger. Rings made in a specific size are final sale, so guessing a ring size is the riskiest choice.