Buying Wedding Rings
Plain, diamond-set and eternity bands: styles, sizing, timing and what they cost
Read guide 7 min
Anniversary gifts
Which anniversary is it, and what do you give?
Every wedding anniversary from paper to platinum, with the traditional UK theme, the modern one, and a jewellery idea for each. Enter your wedding date and we'll find yours.
PK
Parth KananiOctober 2026 · 5 min read
The full list
Wedding anniversary gifts by year
The traditional themes are the UK list, which differs from the US one in a few places (the 4th is fruit or linen here, not flowers). After the 15th, the themes come every five years.
| Year | Traditional (UK) | Modern | Jewellery idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Clocks | A watch, as a nod to the modern clock theme |
| 2nd | Cotton | China | A simple chain or bracelet for everyday wear |
| 3rd | Leather | Crystal or glass | A leather jewellery box to keep it all in |
| 4th | Fruit or linen | Appliances | Small gemstone studs |
| 5th | Wood | Silverware | Silver jewellery, from the modern list |
| 6th | Confectionery or iron | Wood | A personalised charm or pendant |
| 7th | Copper or wool | Desk sets | Rose gold, the copper-toned metal |
| 8th | Bronze | Linen or lace | A warm-toned yellow or rose gold piece |
| 9th | Pottery | Leather | A gemstone ring in an earthy colour |
| 10th | Tin or aluminium | Diamond jewellery | Diamond jewellery, the modern theme. Many couples choose an eternity ring |
| 11th | Steel | Fashion jewellery | Fashion jewellery, from the modern list |
| 12th | Silk | Pearls | Pearls, from the modern list |
| 13th | Lace | Textiles or furs | A delicate, lace-like pavé band |
| 14th | Ivory | Gold jewellery | Gold jewellery or opal. Real ivory is banned in the UK |
| 15th | Crystal | Watches | A watch, from the modern list |
| 20th | China or porcelain | Platinum | Platinum, from the modern list |
| 25thSilver | Silver | Silver | Silver jewellery, on both lists |
| 30thPearl | Pearl | Diamond | Pearls, or diamonds from the modern list |
| 35thCoral | Coral | Jade | Coral-toned gemstones or jade |
| 40thRuby | Ruby | Ruby | A ruby, on both lists |
| 45thSapphire | Sapphire | Sapphire | A sapphire, on both lists |
| 50thGolden | Gold | Gold | Gold jewellery, on both lists |
| 55thEmerald | Emerald | Emerald | An emerald, on both lists |
| 60thDiamond | Diamond | Diamond | A diamond, on both lists |
| 65thBlue sapphire | Blue sapphire | Blue sapphire | A blue sapphire, the name the Royal Household uses |
| 70thPlatinum | Platinum | Platinum | Platinum jewellery |
Traditional themes follow the UK list published by F.Hinds; the 65th uses the Royal Household's name; modern themes follow the standard modern list. Lists vary slightly between sources, and years 16–19 have no agreed theme. Jewellery ideas are our own suggestions.
The big ones
The milestone anniversaries
10th anniversary
Tin, or diamonds
The traditional theme is tin or aluminium, a nod to something that lasts. The modern list says diamond jewellery, and this is the anniversary many couples mark with an eternity ring.
25th anniversary
Silver
The silver wedding is on both the traditional and modern lists. Silver jewellery is the obvious choice; engraving the date inside a piece makes it personal.
30th anniversary
Pearl
Pearl is the traditional theme; the modern list moves to diamonds. Pearls are soft, so they suit earrings and necklaces better than a ring worn every day.
40th anniversary
Ruby
Ruby on both lists, and one of the most searched anniversaries in the UK. Rubies score 9 out of 10 for hardness, just below diamond, so they wear well in a ring.
50th anniversary
Golden
Gold on both lists. A golden wedding is often celebrated by the whole family, and gold jewellery is a classic gift from children to parents.
60th anniversary
Diamond
The diamond wedding. In the UK the King sends a card for the 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries, and every year after. Request it on GOV.UK at least five weeks before the date.
The anniversary ring
Thinking of an eternity ring?
An eternity ring, a band set with a row of diamonds, is the jewellery most closely tied to anniversaries. Couples often choose one for the 10th, a big round number like the 25th, or the birth of their first child. It's usually worn next to the wedding ring.
Most people choose a half-eternity: diamonds across the top, plain metal underneath, which is more comfortable and can still be resized. In UK listings we checked in October 2026, diamond-set bands typically cost about £995, from around £330 in 9ct gold to £6,500 for designer bands. Our wedding rings guide covers the styles, and what to check before you buy.
Common Questions
What are the wedding anniversary gifts by year in the UK?+
The traditional UK list runs: 1st paper, 2nd cotton, 3rd leather, 4th fruit or linen, 5th wood, 6th confectionery or iron, 7th copper or wool, 8th bronze, 9th pottery, 10th tin or aluminium, 11th steel, 12th silk, 13th lace, 14th ivory, 15th crystal, 20th china, 25th silver, 30th pearl, 35th coral, 40th ruby, 45th sapphire, 50th gold, 55th emerald, 60th diamond, 65th blue sapphire and 70th platinum.
What anniversary is 10 years?+
The 10th wedding anniversary is the tin (or aluminium) anniversary on the traditional list. The modern list gives diamond jewellery, and it is a popular anniversary for an eternity ring.
What is the 30th wedding anniversary called?+
The pearl anniversary. The modern list gives diamonds instead. The 35th is coral and the 40th is ruby.
What is the 60th wedding anniversary called?+
The diamond anniversary, on both the traditional and modern lists. The 65th is blue sapphire and the 70th is platinum. From the 60th, couples in the UK can request a card from the King through GOV.UK.
What is the difference between traditional and modern anniversary gifts?+
The traditional list is the older one, with materials that get more precious each year, from paper to platinum. The modern list was created later and suggests more practical or jewellery-based gifts, such as clocks for the 1st and diamond jewellery for the 10th. From the 25th on, the two lists mostly agree.
Why is the 14th anniversary ivory?+
Ivory is on the old traditional list, but selling real ivory has been banned in the UK since 2022, apart from a few narrow exceptions for antiques. Most people choose something ivory-coloured instead, or follow the modern list and give gold jewellery.
Is there a gift for every year?+
Not on the UK list. After the 15th, the traditional themes come every five years (20th, 25th, 30th and so on) up to the 70th. Some lists invent themes for the years in between, but they don’t agree with each other.