Anniversary gifts by year follow two lists. The traditional list assigns a material to each anniversary: paper for the 1st, wood for the 5th, tin for the 10th, silver for the 25th, gold for the 50th and diamond for the 60th. The modern list, used widely in the US, updates many of the early years, for example clocks for the 1st, diamond jewelry for the 10th and platinum for the 20th. Neither list is an official rule, and the details vary slightly from source to source.
The full list is below, followed by short answers for the diamond, gold and platinum years.
Where the anniversary gift lists come from
Some anniversary materials are long-standing customs: paper for the first anniversary, wood for the fifth and tin for the tenth were already being recommended in the nineteenth century. In 1937, the American National Retail Jewelers Association (today Jewelers of America) published an expanded list that gave a theme to many more years. The "modern" list grew later, as retailers and publishers suggested updated themes for the early years.
That history explains two things you'll notice when you compare lists: many milestone years are fairly consistent, and the in-between years vary more.
The full list: traditional and modern anniversary gifts by year
1st. Traditional gift: Paper. Modern gift: Clocks.
2nd. Traditional gift: Cotton. Modern gift: China.
3rd. Traditional gift: Leather. Modern gift: Crystal or glass.
4th. Traditional gift: Fruit or flowers. Modern gift: Appliances.
5th. Traditional gift: Wood. Modern gift: Silverware.
6th. Traditional gift: Iron or candy. Modern gift: Wood.
7th. Traditional gift: Wool or copper. Modern gift: Desk sets.
8th. Traditional gift: Bronze or pottery. Modern gift: Linen or lace.
9th. Traditional gift: Pottery or willow. Modern gift: Leather.
10th. Traditional gift: Tin or aluminum. Modern gift: Diamond jewelry.
11th. Traditional gift: Steel. Modern gift: Fashion jewelry.
12th. Traditional gift: Silk or linen. Modern gift: Pearls.
13th. Traditional gift: Lace. Modern gift: Textiles or furs.
14th. Traditional gift: Ivory. Modern gift: Gold jewelry.
15th. Traditional gift: Crystal. Modern gift: Watches.
20th. Traditional gift: China. Modern gift: Platinum.
25th. Traditional gift: Silver. Modern gift: Silver.
30th. Traditional gift: Pearl. Modern gift: Diamond.
35th. Traditional gift: Coral. Modern gift: Jade.
40th. Traditional gift: Ruby. Modern gift: Ruby.
45th. Traditional gift: Sapphire. Modern gift: Sapphire.
50th. Traditional gift: Gold. Modern gift: Gold.
55th. Traditional gift: Emerald. Modern gift: Emerald.
60th. Traditional gift: Diamond. Modern gift: Diamond.
75th. Traditional gift: Diamond or gold. Modern gift: Diamond or gold.
A few notes on reading the list:
Variations are normal. Some lists give candy for the 6th, willow for the 9th or a different modern gift for the 60th. Follow the one that suits you.
The 14th (ivory) is now usually interpreted as an ivory color or theme rather than the material itself.
After the 15th, most lists jump in five-year steps. The milestone years are the ones most couples mark.
What anniversary is diamond?
The 60th anniversary is the traditional diamond anniversary, and some lists also name diamond for the 75th. On the modern list, diamond jewelry is the gift for the 10th anniversary, and diamond also appears for the 30th.
So diamonds can mark three very different points in a marriage: the first decade, the thirtieth year and a lifetime together. If you're planning for the 10th, see our 10 year anniversary gift ideas.
What is the 50th anniversary gift?
Gold is the 50th anniversary gift on both the traditional and the modern list, which is why the 50th is called the golden anniversary. Gold jewelry also appears on the modern list for the 14th anniversary.
What is the 60th anniversary gift?
Diamond is the 60th anniversary gift, which is why the 60th is known as the diamond anniversary. A diamond piece that can be passed down, such as a pendant or a pair of studs, suits a milestone this rare.
What is the 20th anniversary gift?
China is the traditional 20th anniversary gift, and platinum is the modern one. Platinum is a dense, durable white metal, which suits a marriage that has lasted two decades. Some lists outside the US also name platinum for the 70th anniversary.
Silver, pearl and ruby: the other milestone years
25th: silver. The silver anniversary is the first of the big milestones on most lists.
30th: pearl on the traditional list, diamond on the modern list.
40th: ruby on both lists.
45th: sapphire and 55th: emerald, again on both lists.
Anniversary jewelry: the years that suit diamonds and fine jewelry
If you'd like to give jewelry, these are the years where it fits the tradition most naturally:
10th. Theme: Diamond jewelry (modern) Jewelry that fits: Diamond studs, a pendant, an eternity band or a tennis bracelet.
11th. Theme: Fashion jewelry (modern) Jewelry that fits: An everyday piece in her usual style.
14th. Theme: Gold jewelry (modern) Jewelry that fits: A gold pendant, hoops or a bracelet.
25th. Theme: Silver. Jewelry that fits: A white-metal piece, or diamonds set in white gold.
30th. Theme: Diamond (modern) Jewelry that fits: A larger diamond piece, or an eternity band.
50th. Theme: Gold. Jewelry that fits: Gold jewelry, with or without diamonds.
60th. Theme: Diamond. Jewelry that fits: A diamond heirloom piece.
You don't have to wait for a "jewelry year". Many couples mark any anniversary with an eternity or half-eternity band that sits beside the engagement ring. For more on that tradition, see eternity ring meaning.
How to use the list without being too literal
The lists work best as a starting point, not a rulebook:
Use the theme as an idea, not a requirement. A 5th anniversary "wood" gift can be a wooden jewelry box with something inside it.
Combine the traditional and modern gifts. A tin box holding a diamond piece marks the 10th both ways.
Match the gift to the person. A theme only works if the gift is something they'll use or wear.
Save the bigger gifts for the milestones. Most couples mark the 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th more than the years in between.
Shop anniversary jewelry
For the diamond and gold years, or any anniversary you'd like to mark with something lasting, explore wedding bands to wear beside her rings, earrings to give, necklaces and pendants and bracelets for every occasion.
About the author
House of Diams. The team behind House of Diams shares insights into bespoke engagement rings, diamond selection, and the process of bringing a ring design to life.