Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea: Traditional Stones

A wedding anniversary is a beautiful time in a couple's life. It's a time to celebrate and commemorate their love, connection and experiences together. In the past, traditional gifts were given and although many would like to continue with tradition, they would also like to give something different.

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For every couple, there is a perfect wedding anniversary gift idea to give one another and one of the best ways to celebrate with a loved one is by giving a gift that combines modern beauty with tradition.

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The following list shows the various traditional stones and items like flowers that have been used for wedding anniversaries for ages. They are all a wonderful choice as a wedding anniversary gift idea because they allow people who would like to stick with anniversary traditions but also have the freedom to create something unique and modern.

1st Anniversary: Gold, Peridot, Carnation, Clock
2nd Anniversary: Red Garnet, Lily of the Valley, China
3rd Anniversary: Jade, Pearl, Sunflower
4th Anniversary: Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Hydrangea, Appliances
5th Anniversary: Pink Tourmaline, Sapphire, Daisy, Silverware
6th Anniversary: Turquoise, Amethyst, Calla
7th Anniversary: Yellow Sapphire, Onyx, Freesia, Stationery
8th Anniversary: Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Lilac
9th Anniversary: Green Spinel, Lapis Lazuli, Bird of Paradise
10th Anniversary: Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Daffodil
11th Anniversary: Citrine, Turquoise, Yellow Zircon, Tulip
12th Anniversary: Opal, Jade, Peony
13th Anniversary: Moonstone, Hawk's Eye, Chrysanthemum
14th Anniversary: Agate, Bloodstone, Dhalia
15th Anniversary: Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite, Rose, Watches
16th Anniversary: Red Spinel, Aquamarine
17th Anniversary: Carnelian, Watches, Furniture
18th Anniversary: Aquamarine, Cat's Eye
19th Anniversary: Almandine Garnet, Topaz
20th Anniversary: Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Aster
25th Anniversary: Tsavorite, Green Garnet, Iris
30th Anniversary: Tsavorite Garnet, Silver Jubilee, Lily
40th Anniversary: Pearl, Gladiolus
50th Anniversary: Emerald, Coral, Violets
60th Anniversary: Ruby
70th Anniversary: Cat's Eye, Sapphire
80th Anniversary: Imperial Topaz, Golden Jubilee
90th Anniversary: Diamond Jubilee, Star Ruby

Combination Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea

One of the most unique ways that anyone can combine the beauty and sentiment of traditional anniversary symbols with the modern gifts of jewellery is by creating a custom piece that reflect all of the symbols in a single piece. Choose a pendant, ring, bracelet or earrings for the gift and have professional jewellers create a piece that takes the traditional stones and combines it with the traditional items. One perfect wedding anniversary gift idea for a 9th anniversary is to create a unique customized pendant of a bird of paradise flower using the traditional stones of green spinel and lapis lazuli. This creation can also include orange tourmaline to add an extra punch of colour into the piece.

Although not every wedding anniversary has a symbol or flower, it gives you the freedom to choose the traditional stone and shape any symbol that has meaning to you and your loved one. For example, a 60th wedding anniversary simply has a ruby but this ruby can be a part of a beautiful sentimental piece that has great meaning to the couple alone.

A wedding anniversary gift idea that's custom and unique ensures that no one else in the world would have the same piece which is what makes the gift that much more special for one of the most important occasions in a couple's life. Not only do these pieces last through the ages but they also create a keepsake in time.

Wedding Anniversary Gift Idea: Traditional Stones

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Zodiac Gemstones: An Alternative to Traditional Birthstones

I remember my first "real" jewelry. It was my thirteenth birthday, and my parents beamed with pride as they handed me the tiny gift box. "It's your birthstone," they said.

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I almost cried when I opened the box. "It's, it's--green." Why, oh why, couldn't I have been born in January or February, so I could have pretty garnet or amethyst earrings? I was doomed. I was certain that people would give me icky green jewelry for the rest of my life, and there was nothing I could do about it.

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Over the years I learned to be more gracious, and have also come to accept peridot as non-icky. In fact, many people adore peridot, and I've even been known to wear it a time or two. But I've also discovered an alternative: zodiac stones.

If you're shopping for a gift and want something a little different than traditional birthstone jewelry, you might want to choose a gemstone based on zodiac signs.

Capricorn, December 22-January 20--Ruby. Ruby symbolizes nurturing, spiritual wisdom, economic stability, and protection from distress. Rubies promote joy. When worn, rubies reduce sadness and negative thoughts, while strengthening willpower and confidence. When you wear rubies to bed, it is believed you will have a nightmare-free, restful sleep.

Aquarius, January 21-February 21--Garnet. Garnet symbolizes health, awareness, commitment, regeneration, order, and insight. It also symbolizes marital love and fidelity, making it the perfect jewel for an engagement or newlywed gift. Some believe that garnet enhances bodily strength, endurance, and vigor, so this stone is worn when you need extra energy. It is also said to relieve skin conditions, regulate the heart and blood, and offer protection against thieves.

Pisces, February 22-March 21--Amethyst. Amethyst symbolizes healing, peace, happiness, love, and intuition. Wearing amethyst is an invitation to happiness and love. In ancient times, people believed that amethyst gave you courage and protection against thieves. Some believe that sleeping with an amethyst under your pillow will ease insomnia.

Aries, March 22-April 20--Bloodstone. Bloodstone symbolizes courage, intense healing, renewal, strength, victory, and intuitive decision-making. Some believe that it instills wisdom and sensitivity in its wearer.

Taurus, April 21-May 21--Sapphire. Sapphire symbolizes joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity, and fulfillment of dreams. Sapphire is love's guardian, and is used to promote fidelity. Sapphire is thought to banish fraud, and is used in litigation and legal matters.

Gemini, May 22-June 21--Agate. Agate symbolizes balancing physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, and awakening talents. Some believe that agate would cure insomnia, invite pleasant dreams, and relieve depression.

Cancer, June 22-July 22--Emerald. Emerald symbolizes love, domestic bliss, sensitivity, loyalty, memory, mental capacity, harmony, and focus. Its green color symbolizes fertility, and years ago midwives believed it would speed childbirth. Some believe that if you wish to bring a love into your life, you should buy an emerald, visualize your love, and wear the stone near your heart.

Leo, July 23-August 22--Onyx. Onyx symbolizes self-control, decision-making, and intuition. It's thought of as a protective stone, used for defense and protection. Onyx has been worn during battles and other conflicts, and for more practical occasions such as walking down a dark street at midnight. In ancient times people believed that dreaming of onyx meant you would have a happy marriage.

Virgo, August 23-September 22--Carnelian. Carnelian symbolizes precision, analytical capabilities, physical energy, verbal skill, peace, and spirituality. It is believed that wearing carnelian will clear your head and promote sharp thinking.

Libra, September 23-October 23--Peridot. Peridot symbolizes warmth, friendliness, understanding, openness in love and relationships, and regulation of cycles. Many wear peridot to bed to promote sleep by calming the nervous system. Some believe it is also helpful in calming anger and all negative emotions, as well as alleviating depression.

Scorpio, October 24-November 21--Aquamarine. Aquamarine symbolizes courage, purification, peace, intuition, self-expression, balance, and preparedness. In ancient times, aquamarine was the gem of sea goddesses. As a stone of protection, it has long been popular with fishermen and sailors. Because aquamarine is also associated with married love, and makes a perfect anniversary gift.

Sagittarius, November 23-December 21--Topaz. Topaz symbolizes intelligence, beauty, fidelity, and true friendship. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz gave the wearer strength. According to legend, topaz is a protective stone, protecting against disease, injury, sudden death, negative magic, intrigue, envy, and lunacy. Many people believe topaz can end sleepwalking and nightmares when worn to sleep. Some wear topaz to help with weight loss, arthritis, and the digestive system.

Zodiac Gemstones: An Alternative to Traditional Birthstones

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