There doesn't seem to be a single
acknowledged anniversary gemstone list. Our list is a
compilation of those we found and contains those deemed
traditional as well as the more modern interpretation that
includes gemstones and precious metals.
| Year |
Gift |
Gemstone Information |
Alternate |
Gemstone Information |
| 1 |
Gold |
Gold,
chemical symbol Au, is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable
and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color
and luster that stays without oxidizing in air or water.
It is also one of the least reactive solid elements.
Pure gold is very soft and not suitable for most types
of jewelry. Commonly used are 14K and 18K, mixes of gold
and copper or other alloys. |
Freshwater Pearl
and
Mother of Pearl |
Pearls are
organic and are formed by living organisms and
freshwater pearls come those living in fresh water.
Pearls are composed of Aragonite and organic conchiolin.
Freshwater pearls generally have more amorphous shapes.
Mother of Pearl, or nacre is the same material
material but deposited as an inner shell layer; |
| 2 |
Garnet |
Garnets are a group of many
differently colored minerals with similar chemical composition mainly
containing a silicate of magnesium, iron, and/or aluminum.
Its colors range from red to range, brown, green, yellow
and brown. Its name is derived from the Latin Granatus,
meaning seed, as it often resembles small round seeds
when found in its matrix rock. Tsavorite is the
brilliant green version. |
Rose Quartz |
Rose Quartz is a member of the Quartz
family which includes amethyst, citrine, milky quartz,
smoky quartz and rock crystal. This comes in various
shades of pink to rosy red and also called Pink Quartz
and Rosy Quartz. This stone sometimes display a star
effect of asterism. |
| 3 |
Pearl |
Known as the “Queen of
Gems.” A pearl can be pink, rose, purple, yellow, green,
silver, blue or black. Pearls are formed naturally by
the oyster when a foreign object such as sand or a small
stone enters the shell and causes irritation. The name
is derived from the Latin word, Margarita, which means
“child of the sea”. Natural pearls are very rare. Cultured pearls come in many
different shapes and colors and often softer than most gemstones |
Crystal and
Moonstone |
Rock Crystal is pure
quartz and is colorless and transparent or translucent.
Moonstone colors range from colorless to white,
yellow, orange and grey. It always has a white or blue
sheen. Moonstone reflects light in a distinctive
shimmering phenomenon know as aduralesence. In India it
is regarded as a sacred stone. |
| 4 |
Blue opaz |
Topaz is a silicate of
aluminum containing fluorine and hydroxyl with a hardness of 8.
The color can range from colorless to blue, green, pink,
orange, yellow or brown. Some scholars believe it's
derived from the Greek work Topazes, the ancient name
for St John's Island in the Red Sea. Others believe it
comes from the Sanskrit word, tapas, meaning fire. Blue
topaz’s are normally produced by irradiation. |
Amethyst |
In the quartz
family, composed of silicon dioxide, has a hardness of 7. Amethyst is violet
and is sometimes referred to as purple quartz. The name
amethyst derives from the Greek word amethustos meaning
“not drunken”. The gem was believed to protect against
intoxication from alcohol. Amethyst is a clear purple,
mauve or violet color. |
| 5 |
Sapphire |
A corundum having a
composition of aluminum oxide. This group, consisting of rubies and
sapphires, are the hardest of all known colored stones outside of diamonds.
Only the red color is reserved for ruby, all other colors belong to sapphire
including pink and reddish pink. |
Turquoise |
The color ranges from
sky blue to green. Turkish traders introduced the
gemstone to Europe. In Persian and Native American
civilizations it was the most popular ornamental
gemstone |
| 6 |
Amethyst |
Is in the quartz
family, composed of silicon dioxide, has a hardness of 7. Amethyst is violet
and is sometimes referred to as purple quartz. The name
amethyst derives from the Greek word amethustos meaning
“not drunken”. The gem was believed to protect against
intoxication from alcohol. Amethyst is a clear purple,
mauve or violet color. |
Garnet |
Garnets are a group of many
differently colored minerals with similar chemical composition mainly
containing a silicate of magnesium, iron, and/or aluminum. The hardness
varies depending upon the variety from 6-1/2 to 7-1/2. |
| 7 |
Onyx |
Its colors are brown,
white, grey and black, with bands of brown, white or
black. It is named from the Greek word onux, which means
“nail of a finger or claw”. |
Copper and
Lapis Lazuli
and
Zircon |
Lapis lazuli is an opaque stone
consisting mainly of Diopside and Lasurite. Its colors
are deep blue with a hint of violet. The small twinkling and shining
inclusions Pyrite. Zircon is a silicate of
zirconium sometimes containing radioactive thorium and/or uranium. Its
hardness ranges from 6-1/2 to 7-1/2. Brown is the most common color but can
be colorless or red, green, blue, and yellow. Electric blue stones are
the most valuable of this group. |
| 8 |
Tourmaline |
Mainly composed of aluminum borate
silicate and with a hardness of 7 to 7-1/2. The color is
generally dark green, but it can also be blue, red,
pink, orange, yellow, brown, violet, black and even
colorless. Its name is derived from the Singhalese word,
turamali, which means coloured stone. It is also known
as the rainbow gemstone. Verdelite comes in all shades of green and is the most common of
all cut tourmalines. Emerald green is the most valuable. |
Aventurine and
Bronze |
Aventurine ranges in color from green to
peach, brown and blue, and has exhibits a sparkling
effect and is often mistaken for jade. The name comes
from the Italian phrase, a ventura, which means “by
chance”. It is associated with good luck. Bronze is a
metal alloy primarily of copper with tin as the main
additive. It is hard and brittle, |
| 9 |
Lapis Lazuli |
It was one of the first
stones ever to be used and worn for jewelry. It's an opaque stone
consisting mainly of Diopside and Lasurite. Its colors
are deep blue with a hint of violet. The name is derived
from the Latin word, lapis, which means “stone”, and
from the Arabic azul, which means blue. The small twinkling and shining
inclusions are not gold but Pyrite. It has a hardness of 5 to 6. |
Tiger Eye and
Andalusite |
Has a golden to
red-brown color, with a silky luster and is a member of
the Quartz family. It is chatoyant (cat's eye) meaning
it has fibrous structure that displays a luminous streak
of reflected light when cut an polished parallel to
those fibers. Andalusite pleochroic, producing
different colors in different directions. Cutters try to orient the gem to
get a pleasing mix of colors: orangey brown and a yellowish green or gold. |
| 10 |
Diamond |
The hardest substance on
earth. They are more brilliant than any other natural gem. Their sparkling
fire, durability, and rarity make them the most prized of gems. They come in
colorless to expensive pale pinks and blues, pale to bright yellows,
oranges, greens, and brown colors now being called names like cognac and
champagne. |
Onyx |
Its colors are brown, white, grey and
black, with bands of brown, white or black. It is named
from the Greek word onux, which means “nail of a finger
or claw”. |
| 11 |
Turquoise |
The color ranges from
sky blue to green. Turkish traders introduced the
gemstone to Europe. |
Hematite |
Hematite is a form of
iron oxide with hardness between 5 and 6. It comes in
colors ranging from silvery grey to black, opaque red or
reddish brown. It derives its name from the Greek word
haem (blood) due to the blood red color of the mineral
when in a powdered state. |
| 12 |
Jade |
Since at least 2950 BC, jade
has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone. The ancient jade carved
in China was what we today call nephrite jade, an amphibolite mineral. The
mineral from Central America, a pyroxene, was called jadeite to distinguish
it. Jadeite jade is usually cut into smooth dome shapes called cabochons. |
Agate and
Pearl |
Agate is microcrystalline variety of
silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterized by its
fineness of grain and brightness of color. They mostly
form when silica is deposited in layers inside a rock
cavity creating bands. There are many different kinds
depending on their location and formation. Pearls are
organic and are formed by living organisms. The come in
a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes |
| 13 |
Citrine |
A variety of Quartz
that ranges in color from a pale yellow to orange brown.
Its name derives from the French word for lemon -
citron. It has a hardness of 7 and is an extremely
popular but inexpensive substitute to the rare and
expensive yellow sapphire. |
Malachite and
Moonstone |
Malachite, a copper
carbonate mineral, ranges from bright green to a dark,
blackish green. It's commonly seen in slabs patterned in
bands and lacy lines.
Moonstone colors range from colorless to white,
yellow, orange and grey. It always has a white or blue
sheen. Moonstone reflects light in a distinctive
shimmering phenomenon know as aduralesence. In India it
is regarded as a sacred stone. |
| 14 |
Opal |
There are over 100 different
variety and trade names used today to describe opals. Opals with a lighter
body color are often called white opals, and those with a darker (and more
rare) body color are classified as black opals. |
Ivory and
Moss Agate |
Ivory is the term for dentine, which
makes up the bulk o the bulk of the teeth and tusks of
animals like whales, elephants, walrus, and hippos.
Moss agates get their name from included matter of a
green, golden, red, black or other color or combinations
embedded in the chalcedony and disposed in filaments and
other forms suggestive of vegetable growth. |
| 15 |
Ruby |
Is a corundum having a
composition of aluminum oxide. This group, consisting of
rubies and sapphires, are the hardest of all known
colored stones outside of diamonds. The most valuable is
ruby. Only the red color is reserved for ruby. |
Crystal, Watch |
The word crystal is
derived from the Ancient Greek word krustallos meaning
both “ice” and “rock crystal. Rock Crystal is pure
quartz and is colorless and transparent or translucent. |
| 16 |
Peridot |
Sometimes called Olivine. Its
a magnesium iron silicate. Color varies from yellow green to green. The
more yellow varieties are usually called chrysolite. Peridot is not resistant to sulphuric
acid and may become damaged upon contact |
Aquamarine |
A member of the beryl family
composed of aluminum beryllium silicate with a hardness of 7-1/2 to 8.
Aquamarines are light blue to dark blue or blue-green, deep blue is the most
desirable color. |
| 17 |
Amethyst |
Is in the quartz
family, composed of silicon dioxide, has a hardness of 7. Amethyst is violet
and is sometimes referred to as purple quartz. The name
amethyst derives from the Greek word amethustos meaning
“not drunken”. The gem was believed to protect against
intoxication from alcohol. Amethyst is a clear purple,
mauve or violet color. |
Citrine |
A variety of Quartz
that ranges in color from a pale yellow to orange brown.
Its name derives from the French word for lemon -
citron. It has a hardness of 7 and is an extremely
popular but inexpensive substitute to the rare and
expensive yellow sapphire. |
| 18 |
Cat's Eye Chysoberyl |
Chrysoberyls are usually made
of beryllium aluminum oxide and have a hardness of 8-1/2. The most
common color is golden yellow to greenish yellow. The name comes from the
distinct band of light across its face which sweeps from side to side making
it look like a cat's eye. |
Opal |
There are over 100 different
variety and trade names used today to describe opals. Opals with a lighter
body color are often called white opals, and those with a darker (and more
rare) body color are classified as black opals. |
| 19 |
Aquamarine |
A member of the beryl family
composed of aluminum beryllium silicate with a hardness of 7-1/2 to 8.
Aquamarines are light blue to dark blue or blue-green, deep blue is the most
desirable color. |
Topaz |
Topaz is a silicate of
aluminum containing fluorine and hydroxyl with a hardness of 8.
The color can range from colorless to blue, green, pink,
orange, yellow or brown. Some scholars believe it's
derived from the Greek work Topazes, the ancient name
for St John's Island in the Red Sea. Others believe it
comes from the Sanskrit word, tapas, meaning fire. Blue
topaz’s are normally produced by irradiation. |
| 20 |
Emerald |
A member of the beryl family
composed of aluminum beryllium silicate with a hardness of 7-1/2 to 8.
Emerald is a well known variety that comes in the colors of emerald green,
light green, yellow green, and dark green. |
Platinum |
A dense, malleable, ductile, precious,
gray-white transition metal, symbol Pt. ts name is
derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which
is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto
River." |
| 21 |
Iolite |
Its colors are pale
blue, dark violet blue and yellow. During stormy
weather, Viking explorers used thin pieces of Iolite as
a polarizing lens to determine the position of the sun,
helping them navigate safely |
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|
| 22 |
Spinel |
Spinels are made of magnesium
aluminum oxide with a hardness of 8. Colors can vary from red to pink,
violet red to a pale lilac, violet blue, or a blue to black. |
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|
| 23 |
Imperial Topaz |
Topaz is a silicate of
aluminum containing fluorine and hydroxyl with a hardness of 8.
The color can range from colorless to blue, green, pink,
orange, yellow or brown. Some scholars believe it's
derived from the Greek work Topazes, the ancient name
for St John's Island in the Red Sea. Others believe it
comes from the Sanskrit word, tapas, meaning fire. Blue
topaz’s are normally produced by irradiation. |
Sapphire |
A corundum having a
composition of aluminum oxide. This group, consisting of rubies and
sapphires, are the hardest of all known colored stones outside of diamonds.
Only the red color is reserved for ruby, all other colors belong to sapphire
including pink and reddish pink. |
| 24 |
Tanzanite |
A blue zoisite composed of
calcium aluminum silicate with a hardness of 6-1/2 to 7. The same stone can
display three different colors, each from a different direction, a
characteristic is called pleochroism. |
|
|
| 25 |
Sterling Silver |
An alloy of silver
containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of
other metals, usually copper. |
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|
| 30 |
Pearl |
Known as the “Queen of
Gems.” A pearl can be pink, rose, purple, yellow, green,
silver, blue or black. Pearls are formed naturally by
the oyster when a foreign object such as sand or a small
stone enters the shell and causes irritation. The name
is derived from the Latin word, Margarita, which means
“child of the sea”. Natural pearls are very rare. Cultured pearls come in many
different shapes and colors and often softer than most gemstones |
Diamond and
Jade |
Diamonds come in colorless to expensive
pale pinks and blues, pale to bright yellows, oranges,
greens, and brown colors now being called names like
cognac and champagne. The ancient jade carved
in China was what we today call nephrite jade, an amphibolite mineral. The
mineral from Central America, a pyroxene, was called jadeite to distinguish
it. Jadeite jade is usually cut into smooth dome shapes called cabochons. |
| 35 |
Emerald |
A member of the beryl family
composed of aluminum beryllium silicate with a hardness of 7-1/2 to 8.
Emerald is a well known variety that comes in the colors of emerald green,
light green, yellow green, and dark green. |
Coral and
Jade |
Coral comes in a
wide range of shades and hues from red and white and blue to brown and
black. Most sought are the red shades, ranging from palest petal pink via
salmon to deep velvety red. It has a hardness of only 3.5. |
| 40 |
Ruby |
Is a corundum having a composition of
aluminum oxide. This group, consisting of rubies and
sapphires, are the hardest of all known colored stones
outside of diamonds. The most valuable is ruby. Only the
red color is reserved for ruby. |
--- |
|
| 45 |
Sapphire |
A corundum having a
composition of aluminum oxide. This group, consisting of rubies and
sapphires, are the hardest of all known colored stones outside of diamonds.
Only the red color is reserved for ruby, all other colors belong to sapphire
including pink and reddish pink. |
Alexandrite |
Chrysoberyls are usually made
of beryllium aluminum oxide and have a hardness of 8-1/2. Alexandrite
is a very rare stone and has the ability to change color usually from a
greenish color in sunlight or florescent light to a reddish color under
candlelight, incandescent, or tungsten light. |
| 50 |
Gold |
Gold, chemical symbol Au, is a dense,
soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has
a bright yellow color and luster that stays without
oxidizing in air or water. It is also one of the least
reactive solid elements. Pure gold is very soft and not
suitable for most types of jewelry. Commonly used are
14K and 18K, mixes of gold and copper or other alloys. |
--- |
|
| 55 |
Alexandrite |
Chrysoberyls are usually made
of beryllium aluminum oxide and have a hardness of 8-1/2. Alexandrite
is a very rare stone and has the ability to change color usually from a
greenish color in sunlight or florescent light to a reddish color under
candlelight, incandescent, or tungsten light. |
Emerald |
A member of the beryl family
composed of aluminum beryllium silicate with a hardness of 7-1/2 to 8.
Emerald is a well known variety that comes in the colors of emerald green,
light green, yellow green, and dark green. |
| 60 |
Diamond |
The hardest substance on
earth. They are more brilliant than any other natural gem. Their sparkling
fire, durability, and rarity make them the most prized of gems. They come in
colorless to expensive pale pinks and blues, pale to bright yellows,
oranges, greens, and brown colors now being called names like cognac and
champagne. |
--- |
|
| 65 |
Star Sapphire |
Sapphire often contains
minor inclusions of tiny slender Rutile needles. When
present, these inclusions decrease the transparency of a
stone and are known as silk. When in dense, parallel
groupings, these inclusions can actually enhance by
allowing polished Sapphires to exhibit asterism.
Sapphire gems displaying asterism are known as "Star
Sapphire" |
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|
| 75 |
Diamond |
The hardest substance on
earth. They are more brilliant than any other natural gem. Their sparkling
fire, durability, and rarity make them the most prized of gems. They come in
colorless to expensive pale pinks and blues, pale to bright yellows,
oranges, greens, and brown colors now being called names like cognac and
champagne. |
--- |
|
| 80 |
Ruby |
Is a corundum having a
composition of aluminum oxide. This group, consisting of
rubies and sapphires, are the hardest of all known
colored stones outside of diamonds. The most valuable is
ruby. Only the red color is reserved for ruby. |
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