The anniversary ring is used to celebrate a significant milestone in married life. It symbolizes a renewal in the couple's life, remembering the vows made on the wedding day. Unlike wedding and engagement rings, which are used at the start of nre journey, anniversary rings commemorate the endurance of love. The spouse can wear it on any finger of the hand or can stack it with the wedding set. The anniversary rings are presented mostly on special anniversaries like 1st, 5th, 10th, 25th(also known as silver), and 50th(also known as golden anniversary).
The tradition of anniversary rings started in Ancient Rome. The husbands started to gift their wives with a silver wreath on their 25th and 50th(golden) anniversaries to celebrate memories and achievements in the past years. In the Victorian era, this tradition became popular to gift diamond or pearl rings to symbolize eternity and purity. People are now moving away from these traditional gender roles and giving anniversary rings to both partners. They also use these rings to celebrate other meaningful events, like a child's birth, renewing vows, or a career achievement.
What Are the Different Types of Anniversary Rings?
Here are the six types of anniversary rings:
- Eternity Rings: Eternity rings are designed with a line of diamonds or other gemstones to sparkle the ring from different angles. This diamond row makes it unbreakable, which represents eternal commitment and infinite love. These are gifted on major milestones, like on the 10th or 60th anniversary.
- Half-Eternity Rings: The half-eternity rings are covered with gemstones only on top. The button of the ring remains plain metal, which makes it comfortable and affordable. Half-eternity rings are resizable and show the same meaning as the full-eternity rings do.
- Three-Stone Rings: These rings are also known as trilogy rings, and they contain a central larger stone with two smaller stones on both sides. The three stones represent the past, present, and future of the couple. They make the anniversary special with a story to tell, highlighting the beautiful present and a brighter future.
- Stackable Rings: These rings are crafted to complement both the engagement and wedding rings. It creates a personalized ring stack that grows over time with their relationship. Stackable rings are best for those who love to create a curated, unique look.
- Solitaire Anniversary Rings: These rings are commonly used on engagements, and can also be given on anniversaries. They contain a single diamond or any other gemstone in the center, which shows a pure, timeless, and singular love.
- Vintage or Custom Anniversary Rings: The vintage rings are designed from scratch to add a unique story in the style for a historic touch. They are crafted to reflect the aesthetics of a specific era, like the Art Deco era and the Edwardian era. Couples are also used to design these rings with a personal story using heirloom jewelry.
What Metals Are Best for Anniversary Rings?
Here are the five best metals for anniversary rings:
- Gold (Yellow, White, Rose): Gold is a popular choice for most wedding, engagement, or anniversary rings. Gold purity is measured in karats, with 24K representing pure gold. Because pure gold is too soft for everyday wear, it’s blended with other metals to make it stronger and more durable. It is mixed with copper and silver to form yellow gold. The higher the karat, like 14k or 18k, the more yellow and softer the gold becomes. White gold is prepared using palladium and silver alloys, whihc are then passed through rhodium plating for enhanced durability and a brighter look. An increased amount of copper in pure gold creates rose gold, which is durable and strong for daily use.
- Platinum: It is the most durable metal, which can last for a lifetime with superior quality. Platinum is a good choice for people with sensitive skin, as the white gold can cause allergic reactions due to the presence of nickel. It is denser than other metals and also develops a patina over time, which can be polished.
- Palladium: It belongs to the platinum family, yet it is lighter and more affordable. Palladium is naturally silvery-white in appearance and is hypoallergenic. The melting temperature of the palladium is very high; thus, the user needs to visit the jeweler to resize the band.
- Sterling Silver: This metal is made from 7.5% copper and 92.5% pure silver. It offers a beautiful and elegant look at an affordable price. Sterling silver requires proper maintenance as it can tarnish when it comes into contact with air and moisture.
- Mixed Metals: This is the best choice for people who want a unique design instead of the traditional all-platinum or all-gold designs. Popular combinations are rose gold, yellow gold, and platinum.
What are the Popular Gemstones for Anniversary Rings?
Here are the five popular gemstones for anniversary rings:
- Diamond: It represents a strong bond and is commonly given after a decade. Diamond is gifted at the 10th and 60th anniversaries for a lifetime commitment.
- Sapphire: It is blue in color and shows loyalty and sincerity, commonly gifted at the 5th or 45th anniversary. Sapphire is a durable choice that represents steadfast love.
- Ruby: The red color of the ruby represents vibrant love and is typically given on the 15th or 40th anniversary.
- Emerald: The emerald signifies hope, growth, and renewal. Emerald is gifted on the 20th or 55th anniversary to show the love and hope that withstood for time.
- Amethyst, Topaz, or Aquamarine: These are different colorful options for modern couples to create a personalized band according to the unique personality of each person.
How to Choose the Right Anniversary Ring for Your Partner?
Here are the five tips to choose the right anniversary ring for your partner:
- Consider Their Style: Prefer choosing a band that matches the preferences and styles of your partner. Pay attention to whether they wear classic, vintage, or modern jewelry and the type of metal they love to use. Use social media to check their preferences; they might have a hidden board of their favorite designs.
- Match Existing Jewelry: Choose the metal according to the existing set of jewelry to create stacked jewelry. For example, a white gold band can be combined with a rose gold wedding jewelry set.
- Select Meaningful Details: Prefer customizing the ring according to the priorities of the partner to add a personal touch. It makes them feel special and adds deeper meaning to the ring.
- Balance Budget and Quality: Buy a ring accordingly to the budget with high quality. Lab-grown stones are the best choice for stylish stones on less budget.
- Think Long-Term Comfort: Choose a comfortable ring according to the lifestyle of your partner. A person with an active lifestyle prefers bezel rings that can be worn in their daily routine.
When Should You Give an Anniversary Ring?
The anniversary rings are commonly gifted on major milestones like 1st, 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, and 50th anniversaries. The 25th anniversary is known as silver, the 50th as gold, and the 60th anniversary as a diamond anniversary. Apart from the marriage years, these rings are also used on some meaningful occasions, like a child's birth. There are no set rules; the best time to give an anniversary ring is simply when it feels good to the couple.
How to Care for and Maintain Your Anniversary Ring?
Remove the ring before cleaning, gardening, exercising, or dealing with harsh chemicals. It maintains the natural grace of the band. Protect the ring from a hard hit and impacts, as the durable ring with a stone can chip easily. Wash the ring with a mild soap in warm water, for deep cleaning, soak it for 10-15 minutes. Place the ring separately from other jewelry sets to prevent scratches. Save the documents of the ring for future maintenance.
What Are the Latest Trends in Anniversary Rings?
Here are the five latest trends in anniversary rings:
- Stackable Bands: These bands build a collection of rings with the growing time. This collection captures the whole journey of the couple’s love story.
- Colored Gemstones: More couples are moving away from the classic white diamond and choosing colorful gemstones. It is a way to make their rings feel more personal and tell their unique love story.
- Vintage Revival: Vintage-inspired anniversary rings are making a big comeback, as couples fall in love with their intricate designs and timeless craftsmanship.
- Gender-Neutral Rings: Many couples now prefer styles that move beyond traditional gender labels. They focus on meaningful, elegant designs that anyone can wear.