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Wedding Anniversary Themes: Knowing Which Piece of Jewellery to Purchase

on Sep 13, 2023

Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson

Director | Family run jewellers specialising in bespoke & antique jewellery
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Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson started his career in Jewellery in 2008, where he began working in his father’s shop in Marlow. After learning the ropes and gaining an in-depth knowledge of jewellery, he took over the business with his brother George. Now running our Maidenhead boutique he continues in his father’s footsteps.

Joe specialises in buying in beautiful antique and pre-loved pieces that are proudly displayed in all our boutiques. He’s also motivated to blend the traditional skills and craftsmanship with the demand for digital and online content by creating our website and sharing the day-to-day running of the business and workshops on social media.

Wedding Anniversary Themes: Knowing Which Piece of Jewellery to Purchase

Celebrating a wedding anniversary is the perfect opportunity to express your love for your spouse and look back on the journey you’ve shared together. One popular way to mark this milestone is by exchanging gifts and each wedding anniversary has a theme that many turn to for inspiration when searching for the perfect gift. 


These days, in addition to the traditional theme, every wedding anniversary has a modern theme and this tends to be the most popular option for contemporary couples. Jewellery is often at the top of the list for special occasions like anniversary gifts. So, to steer you in the right direction, below we have explored the themes of key wedding anniversaries and which piece of jewellery you should purchase for your spouse. 


10th Wedding Anniversary


Often, the 10th wedding anniversary is the first big milestone that couples celebrate. Traditionally, 10th wedding anniversary gifts revolve around aluminium, however, modern alternatives focus on diamonds. A diamond bracelet or pair of earrings will add sparkle to your decade-long celebration and pay homage to how strong your relationship is. 


15th Wedding Anniversary 


Watches are the modern gift for a 15th wedding anniversary. They symbolise the time spent together and the moments yet to come. A sleek wrist watch that pairs perfectly with the diamond bangle you purchased for the 10th anniversary can make for an unforgettable gift.


20th Wedding Anniversary 


Traditionally, the 20th anniversary focuses on china yet the modern gift is platinum. As one of the most durable metals in jewellery making, platinum is enduring, much like a 20-year-long relationship. Platinum jewellery, like rings or necklaces, will be cherished for years to come when gifted as an anniversary gift. 


25th Wedding Anniversary 


Celebrating a quarter of a century together calls for something special. Modern traditions recommend silver as a gift and there are so many silver pieces of jewellery to explore. A simple silver chain or a pair of cufflinks can be an excellent way to commemorate this occasion.


30th Wedding Anniversary 


The 30th wedding anniversary is one that people still frequently use the traditional theme for; pearl. Pearls symbolise wisdom, loyalty and love, and a pearl necklace or earrings is a classic choice for your 30th anniversary. If you prefer modern over traditional, you can swap the pearls for diamonds and invest in something more contemporary.


35th Wedding Anniversary 


While it’s not the most well-known green gemstone, Jade is synonymous with the 35th wedding anniversary. This gemstone is known for bringing luck, strength and good health, and a jade pendant is a meaningful gift for your 35th anniversary. 


40th Wedding Anniversary 


Both the traditional and modern gift is the same for the 40th wedding anniversary; ruby. This iconic, red gemstone is perfect for a wedding anniversary gift as it symbolises love and passion. Whether you purchase a ruby ring or pair of ruby earrings, this anniversary gift will be cherished for years to come and worn with pride. 


45th Wedding Anniversary 


Known for its rich blue colour, sapphire is a very durable gemstone. It can be worn time and time again without getting damaged. A sapphire ring or pendant will capture the essence of 45 loving years and the strength of your relationship.


50th Wedding Anniversary 


Half a century of marriage is traditionally celebrated with gold and this is the modern gift choice too. Gold is a truly timeless, precious metal and any piece of jewellery you buy can be worn by your spouse for years to come. Gold wedding anniversary gifts are thought to exemplify the golden years spent together.


55th Wedding Anniversary 


The more renowned green gemstone, Emerald is gifted on the 55th wedding anniversary. Emeralds symbolise rebirth and new beginnings, and gifting an emerald ring or necklace can signify a vibrant future ahead.


60th Wedding Anniversary 


Diamonds are a couple’s best friend for this significant milestone. Consider diamond-encrusted jewellery to mark 6 decades together and show your spouse just how much they mean to you. The modern theme for this anniversary sticks with diamonds, reinforcing the idea that true love lasts forever.


65th Wedding Anniversary 


The blue sapphire is also typically gifted for the 65th wedding anniversary in today’s modern age. This gemstone symbolises trust and loyalty, and makes for a dazzling gift that will commemorate your enduring love.


70th Wedding Anniversary


Platinum is both the traditional and modern gift for this wedding anniversary and just like your 7-decade-long marriage, platinum stands the test of time. In addition to being hard-wearing, platinum’s natural sheen doesn’t fade with time and a platinum piece of jewellery can symbolise a love that will never fade. 


75th Wedding Anniversary


To mark this truly extraordinary milestone, diamonds return to the scene again. After 75 years of shared love and experiences, a handmade piece of jewellery that’s completely unique is the perfect gift for your spouse.  


Looking for Jewellers in Henley-on-Thames?


Ultimately, every wedding milestone has a distinct theme and if you don’t know what to purchase for your spouse for an upcoming anniversary, you can’t go wrong with the gemstones or metals mentioned above. Hopefully, this guide will help you to select a piece of jewellery that your spouse loves and also resonates with the journey you’ve been on together. 


If you're local to Henley-on-Thames and looking for a jeweller you can trust to provide you with a special wedding anniversary gift, visit the Anthony Paul Jewellery boutique. Over the years, we have hand-crafted bespoke jewellery for our customers using traditional jewellery-making techniques and we pride ourselves on the quality of our pieces.  


Our expert team can help you find the perfect gift that reflects your unique love story when you visit our jewellers in Henley-on-Thames.