Memories can invoke very strong emotions. At a young age our memories take hold and later in life these can be sparked by sights, sounds, touch, tastes, and smells. Special occasions tend to hold the deepest memories, ones birthdays', Christmas, first date, graduation, and matrimony, to a couple's first born and then the cycle begins again in another's memories.

The memory of ones wedding celebration marks a special passage of time. Ones own memories that were once exclusive to only you are now shared with another and the two become one in thought, emotion and in this way all future memories change and are never remembered again as exclusively your own. No longer is it "my" memories but "our" memories.

The yearly anniversary which now marks that sharing of time has such special meaning, over the years much thought has gone into the giving of gifts for a couple's wedding anniversary. This guide offers suggestions for gift giving for both men and women and insight into traditional and modern gifts and offers purchasing opportunities from trusted merchants that assisted in producing this guide.

Marriage Anniversary Gifts in the early years of marriage were small remembrances, or tokens, such as 1st (paper), 5th (wood), and 10th (tin). In later years of matrimony, gifts gained value (which tends to correspond with society status and professional security), including 15th (crystal), 20th (china), 25th (silver), and 50th (gold).

By the time her publication was reprinted in 1957, the growing importance of wedding anniversary celebrations in America required more guidance and the traditional gift list had been expanded to include all of the first 15 years, and multiples of five thereafter. Additionally, as 35 years had passed since the original publication modern alternatives were again added and updated to include more socially acceptable gift options.

The traditional and modern anniversary gift guides have changed very little during the past half-century where traditional gifts are deeply rooted in heritage yet modern gifts greatly assist to offset cultural differences. The giving of a gift to your partner on the memorable occasion of shared thought is so symbolic that this guide has been developed to assist making the occasion truly one worth marking the passage of time from here.

The right gift can bring a sparkle to every eye and can delight the hearts of all. Our Anniversary Guide will help you celebrate with gift ideas. The quick chart below tells you the Gemstone Anniversary Gifts for each year.

01 Anniversary - Gold Jewelry

02 Anniversary - Garnet Rings

03 Anniversary - Pearls

04 Anniversary - Blue Topaz

05 Anniversary - Sapphire

06 Anniversary - Amethyst

07 Anniversary - Onyx Rings

08 Anniversary - Tourmaline

09 Anniversary - Lapis Rings

10 Anniversary - Diamonds

11 Anniversary - Jewelry

12 Anniversary - Pearls

13 Anniversary - Citrine

14 Anniversary - Gold Jewelry

15 Anniversary - Ruby Rings

20 Anniversary - Platinum

25 Anniversary - Silver

30 Anniversary - Pearl

35 Anniversary - Jade

40 Anniversary - Ruby

45 Anniversary - Sapphire Rings

50 Anniversary - Gold

55 Anniversary - Emerald Rings

60 Anniversary - Diamond Rings

65 Anniversary - Diamond