Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year: 1st to 70th Anniversary Gift Guide
Diamond jewellery suits every milestone wedding anniversary. The modern gift for the 10th is diamond, the 60th is the Diamond Anniversary, and for the other big years you can link the diamond to the traditional material through the setting: diamonds in white gold or platinum for the Silver 25th, yellow gold for the Golden 50th and platinum for the 70th. Every piece is available with either natural or lab-grown diamonds.
Some anniversaries slip by with a card and a nice dinner. Others deserve something that will still be worn, and noticed, years from now. For those milestone years, diamond jewellery is the gift most people come back to, and with good reason. Diamonds are the hardest natural material, they suit every age and style, and they're made to last as long as the marriage they celebrate.
Each milestone anniversary has a traditional material attached to it: paper, tin, silver, gold, platinum and so on. You don't need to buy the material itself. A diamond piece can nod to it through the metal it's set in, the design, or an engraving, which gives your gift a story without compromising on the sparkle.
In this guide we focus only on the anniversaries people actually celebrate, and only on diamond jewellery. For each milestone you'll find what the tradition means, the diamond pieces that suit it best, and whether a natural or lab-grown diamond makes more sense for your budget and priorities.
- The 10th (modern gift: diamond) and 60th (Diamond Anniversary) are the years most closely tied to diamonds.
- Match the metal to the milestone: white gold or platinum for the 25th, yellow gold for the 50th, platinum for the 20th and 70th.
- The most popular anniversary diamond pieces are stud earrings, eternity rings, solitaire pendants and tennis bracelets.
- Natural and lab-grown diamonds are both real diamonds. Lab-grown typically costs less for the same size and grade; natural offers geological rarity.
- Always ask for an IGI or GIA certificate on significant stones and check for a UK hallmark on the metal.
Natural or Lab-Grown Diamonds for an Anniversary?
Every piece in this guide is available with natural or lab-grown diamonds, so it's worth deciding this first. Both are real diamonds with the same carbon crystal structure, hardness and sparkle; the difference is where they came from. Neither is the "right" answer, it depends on what matters most to you and the person receiving it.
- Formed deep in the earth over billions of years
- Geological rarity and traditional luxury appeal
- A natural choice for heirloom milestones such as the 50th, 60th and 70th
- Graded on the 4Cs by labs such as GIA and IGI
Browse natural diamond earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
- Grown in a controlled environment using advanced technology
- Chemically, physically and optically the same as natural diamonds
- Typically cost less for the same size and grade, so your budget goes further
- Certified by IGI or GIA; the report states the diamond is lab-grown
Browse lab-grown earrings, pendants and bracelets.
| Natural diamond | Lab-grown diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Crystallised carbon | Crystallised carbon |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale | 10 on the Mohs scale |
| Grading | Cut, colour, clarity, carat | Cut, colour, clarity, carat |
| Price | Higher for the same size and grade | Typically lower for the same size and grade |
| Best for | Heirlooms and buyers who value rarity | Bigger or higher-grade stones within budget |
For the full comparison, read lab diamonds vs natural diamonds and lab-grown diamond prices and value.
Early Milestones: 1st to 20th Anniversary
The early traditional materials (paper, wood, tin, crystal and china) aren't jewellery in themselves, but each suggests a diamond piece that fits the stage of the marriage. Smaller, personal pieces suit the first few years; the 10th and 20th are when many couples choose their first significant anniversary diamond.
1st Wedding Anniversary Diamond Jewellery
The traditional 1st anniversary gift is paper, symbolising a new marriage with its story still to be written. The diamond equivalent is something personal: an initial, a date or a delicate first piece.
Year one is about beginnings, so personal pieces work better than statement jewellery. Present the gift with a handwritten letter and you've honoured the paper tradition perfectly.
A diamond initial pendant with their initial, or yours.
A small diamond heart necklace, engraved with your wedding date.
Delicate diamond stud earrings, the first diamonds of the marriage.
Natural or lab-grown? Lab-grown lets you choose a brighter, larger stone at an early-marriage budget.
5th Wedding Anniversary Diamond Jewellery
The traditional 5th anniversary gift is wood, representing roots and growth. Five years in, a pair of diamond studs or a first diamond band makes a lasting everyday piece. Present it in a wooden box to honour the tradition.
By the fifth year the marriage has put down roots. Diamond jewellery that can be worn every day, whatever the plans, reflects that settled, grown-up stage.
Diamond huggie earrings for everyday wear.
Classic diamond stud earrings.
A diamond stacking ring to wear beside her wedding ring.
Natural or lab-grown? Either works well; lab-grown studs give noticeably more carat weight for the same spend.
10th Wedding Anniversary Diamond Jewellery
The traditional 10th anniversary gift is tin or aluminium, but the modern gift is diamond jewellery, which is why the 10th is one of the most popular years for a first significant diamond piece.
A decade together is a genuine achievement. The eternity ring is the classic 10th-anniversary choice: a continuous line of diamonds for a commitment that keeps going.
A half eternity ring to sit beside the wedding band.
A five-stone diamond ring: two lots of five years.
A full eternity ring with diamonds all the way round.
Half or full eternity? Half eternity rings are easier to resize and more comfortable next to a wedding ring; full eternity rings sparkle from every angle. Our guide on how to choose an eternity ring explains the trade-offs.
Natural or lab-grown? Both are popular. Lab-grown makes a full eternity ring far more accessible.
15th Wedding Anniversary Diamond Jewellery
The traditional 15th anniversary gift is crystal. A diamond is itself a crystal of pure carbon, the clearest and hardest there is, which makes diamond jewellery a natural fit.
Crystal is clear and catches the light, a lovely image for a marriage that's open and bright. Choose pieces with plenty of sparkle: lines of diamonds or a halo that throws light.
Natural or lab-grown? For multi-stone pieces like tennis necklaces, lab-grown keeps quality high across every stone.
20th Wedding Anniversary Diamond Jewellery
The traditional 20th anniversary gift is china, and the modern gift is platinum. Diamonds set in platinum combine both: an heirloom-quality piece made to be handed down, just like fine china.
Platinum is naturally white, very durable and holds diamonds securely, which makes it ideal for a piece worn daily for the next twenty years.
Natural or lab-grown? Natural diamonds in platinum make a true heirloom; lab-grown lets you step up in size.
Marking an early milestone? Browse diamond jewellery chosen for anniversaries.
Anniversary Gifts25th Wedding Anniversary – Silver
The traditional 25th wedding anniversary gift is silver, which is why the 25th is known as the Silver Anniversary. Diamonds set in white gold or platinum give the same silver-white look, without the tarnishing, and far more sparkle.
A quarter of a century is a genuine milestone, and it deserves a piece that will be worn for the next twenty-five years. White metals flatter diamonds, making them look brighter and whiter, which is why they're such a popular Silver Anniversary choice.
A white gold diamond solitaire pendant.
A white gold or platinum diamond tennis bracelet.
White gold vs platinum for diamonds
| Metal | Look | Care | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| White gold | Bright white (rhodium plated) | Re-plating every few years | Everyday diamond jewellery at a lower price |
| Platinum (950) | Naturally white, soft patina | Very durable; occasional polish | Heirloom pieces and rings worn daily |
More detail in our comparison of platinum vs white gold.
30th Wedding Anniversary – Pearl
The traditional 30th wedding anniversary gift is pearl, but the modern gift is diamond. Diamond jewellery is the more durable choice for a piece worn every day.
A pearl forms slowly, layer upon layer, which is a lovely image for thirty years of marriage. A halo design (a centre diamond surrounded by smaller ones) echoes that idea of something built up over time, and gives maximum sparkle.
Natural or lab-grown? Halo pieces use many small stones, where lab-grown gives excellent matching colour and clarity at a lower cost.
40th Wedding Anniversary – Ruby
The traditional 40th wedding anniversary gift is ruby, which is why the 40th is called the Ruby Anniversary. To mark it with diamonds, choose a warm rose or yellow gold setting that echoes ruby's glow, or a heart design for ruby's link with love and passion.
Forty years is a remarkable achievement. Diamonds are the only gemstone harder than ruby, so they're an equally fitting symbol of a love that has stood the test of time.
Natural or lab-grown? For a 40th, many couples choose natural diamonds for their rarity; lab-grown is ideal if a larger centre stone matters more.
Planning a Ruby Anniversary? See diamond jewellery in warm rose and yellow gold.
Shop Anniversary Gifts50th Wedding Anniversary – Gold
The traditional 50th wedding anniversary gift is gold, which is why the 50th is known as the Golden Anniversary. Diamonds set in yellow gold are the classic way to mark it, often engraved with the wedding date.
Half a century is a remarkable achievement. Gold doesn't tarnish or corrode, and paired with diamonds it makes a piece that will be passed down through the family.
9ct vs 18ct gold for diamond jewellery
| 9ct gold | 18ct gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Gold content | 37.5% (hallmark 375) | 75% (hallmark 750) |
| Colour | Paler, softer yellow | Richer, deeper yellow |
| Durability | Harder, resists scratches well | Softer, but more resistant to tarnish |
| Best for | Everyday wear, gentler budgets | Heirloom Golden Anniversary pieces |
Read more in our guide to 9ct vs 18ct gold.
Natural or lab-grown? Natural diamonds suit an heirloom Golden Anniversary piece; lab-grown gives a bigger stone for the same budget.
60th Wedding Anniversary – Diamond
The traditional 60th wedding anniversary gift is diamond, which is why the 60th is called the Diamond Anniversary. Diamond studs, a solitaire pendant, a tennis bracelet or an eternity ring are the classic choices.
Diamond is the hardest natural material, an obvious symbol for sixty years of marriage. The association is often traced to Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, which celebrated sixty years on the throne.
Buying diamonds for a long-term partner
- Choose earrings with secure, easy-to-handle backs
- Pick bracelets with a clasp that's easy to fasten
- Check ring size carefully, as knuckles can change over time; see our UK ring size chart
- Low-set diamonds catch less on clothing than high claw settings
Natural or lab-grown? Many choose natural diamonds for the Diamond Anniversary itself; lab-grown is a smart way to get a larger, higher-grade stone.
Celebrating a Diamond Anniversary? See diamond studs, pendants and bracelets.
Diamond Jewellery70th Wedding Anniversary – Platinum
The 70th wedding anniversary is the Platinum Anniversary, and platinum is the traditional gift. Diamonds set in platinum, perhaps engraved with "70 years", make a true heirloom.
Platinum is rare, dense and exceptionally durable, and it holds diamonds more securely than almost any other metal. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip became the first British monarch and consort to reach this milestone, in November 2017.
Natural or lab-grown? Natural diamonds in platinum are the traditional heirloom choice for this rare milestone.
Diamond Anniversary Gifts by Budget
A meaningful diamond gift doesn't have to be expensive. Choosing lab-grown or natural diamonds changes what your budget buys, so here's a realistic guide for UK shoppers.
- Diamond initial pendant
- Small lab-grown diamond studs
- Diamond huggie earrings
- Diamond stud earrings
- Diamond heart or halo pendant
- Lab-grown half eternity ring
- Diamond solitaire pendant
- Half eternity ring
- Lab-grown tennis bracelet
- Diamond tennis bracelet
- Full eternity ring
- Larger diamond studs
- Natural diamond tennis bracelet
- Diamond tennis necklace
- Seven-stone diamond ring
- Large natural solitaire pendant
- Platinum diamond eternity ring
- A bespoke milestone design
Lab-grown diamonds typically cost noticeably less than natural diamonds of the same size and grade, so the same budget can buy a larger stone, a better grade, or a multi-stone piece like a tennis bracelet. Compare both before deciding in our lab-grown diamond jewellery collection.
Diamond Anniversary Gifts for Her and for Him
Diamond jewellery for your wife
- Diamond stud or halo earrings
- A diamond solitaire pendant engraved with your date
- An eternity ring to stack with her rings
- A diamond tennis bracelet for a big milestone
Browse diamond jewellery for her.
Diamond jewellery for your husband
- A diamond-set men's band or signet ring
- Men's diamond stud earrings
- A diamond ring in platinum or yellow gold
- Engraving with your wedding date inside the band
See men's diamond rings and men's earrings.
Buying for parents or grandparents? Siblings often club together for a single milestone piece, such as yellow gold diamond earrings for a 50th or a solitaire pendant for a 60th. Lightweight designs with easy clasps are usually most appreciated.
How to Buy Anniversary Diamond Jewellery
A milestone diamond is often the most significant gift someone buys, so a little homework pays off. Here's what we'd check if we were buying for our own partners.
The 4Cs in brief
| C | What it measures | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | How well the diamond returns light | The most important for sparkle. Prioritise it. |
| Colour | Absence of colour, D (colourless) to Z | G–H looks white to most eyes, especially in yellow gold. |
| Clarity | Internal and surface characteristics | VS2–SI1 is usually eye-clean and good value. |
| Carat | Weight, not size | A well-cut smaller stone can outshine a larger poorly cut one. |
Our full guide explains the 4Cs for UK buyers, and D/VVS vs H/SI grading.
Buying checklist
- Certification. Ask for an IGI or GIA report on significant stones. Lab-grown reports clearly state the diamond is lab-grown.
- UK hallmark. Gold above 1 gram and platinum above 0.5 grams must carry an independent UK Assay Office hallmark.
- Metal. Match what they already wear: yellow, white or rose gold, or platinum.
- Ring size. Borrow a ring from the same finger, or try our ways to find their ring size secretly.
- Necklace length. 16"–18" suits most pendants. See our necklace size guide.
- Engraving. Short dates and initials fit best. Try our engraving ideas.
- Returns and aftercare. Check our returns policy and lifetime warranty.
- Short on time? Engraving and resizing add days. Choose from our ready-to-ship jewellery and check delivery times at checkout.
Diamond Anniversary Gift FAQs
Which wedding anniversary is for diamonds?
The 60th is the Diamond Anniversary, and diamond is the traditional gift. Diamond jewellery is also the modern gift for the 10th and 30th anniversaries, and suits every milestone when set in the matching metal.
What diamond jewellery is best for a 10th anniversary?
The eternity ring is the classic 10th-anniversary diamond gift, followed by diamond stud earrings and a five-stone ring. The modern gift for the 10th is diamond jewellery.
What diamond jewellery suits a 25th Silver Anniversary?
Diamonds set in white gold or platinum give the silver-white colour of the Silver Anniversary without tarnishing. A solitaire pendant, diamond earrings or a tennis bracelet are popular choices.
Can I give diamonds for a 40th Ruby Anniversary?
Yes. Choose diamonds set in warm rose or yellow gold to echo ruby's glow, or a diamond heart design for ruby's link with love and passion.
What is the best diamond gift for a 50th Golden Anniversary?
Diamonds set in yellow gold are the classic Golden Anniversary gift: yellow gold diamond earrings, a diamond necklace or a bracelet, often engraved with the wedding date. 18ct gold suits an heirloom piece.
What should I buy for a 60th Diamond Anniversary?
Diamond stud earrings, a solitaire pendant, a tennis bracelet or an eternity ring are all classic Diamond Anniversary gifts. Choose secure clasps and comfortable settings for everyday wear.
What is the 70th wedding anniversary called?
The 70th is the Platinum Anniversary. Diamonds set in platinum, perhaps engraved with the years and wedding date, make a lasting heirloom.
Are lab-grown diamonds good for an anniversary gift?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds. They typically cost less for the same size and grade, so your budget goes further.
Should I choose natural or lab-grown diamonds for a milestone anniversary?
It depends on your priorities. Natural diamonds offer geological rarity and suit heirloom milestones such as the 50th, 60th and 70th. Lab-grown diamonds give a larger or higher-grade stone for the same budget. Both are graded on the 4Cs and certified by IGI or GIA.
Can you tell the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds?
Not with the naked eye. Specialist laboratory equipment is needed to identify a lab-grown diamond, which is why certification matters. A reputable grading report states whether a diamond is natural or lab-grown.
What diamond jewellery can I buy my husband for our anniversary?
A diamond-set men's band or signet ring, men's diamond stud earrings, or a diamond ring in platinum or yellow gold are popular choices, especially when engraved with your wedding date.
How much should I spend on an anniversary diamond?
There's no set amount. Many people spend more at milestone years like the 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th. Decide a comfortable budget first; choosing lab-grown diamonds can stretch it considerably.
Find the Right Diamond for Your Milestone
From diamond studs for a 10th to yellow gold for a 50th and platinum for a 70th, browse natural and lab-grown diamond jewellery chosen for anniversaries, or ask our team for advice.