by Jean Knill

Created on: November 10, 2010

Nowadays each wedding anniversary has a number of motifs and associations. There are traditional symbols and more recently created ones. The silver and golden weddings at 25 and 50 years have never been tampered with since their origins in Europe in the Middle Ages. Symbols for other years have crept in over the years and some of them differ from country to country or region to region.

Not surprisingly, it was a jewellers’ association that introduced a gemstone list that offers a different type of stone for each year of marriage up to the 24th and then more at five or 10 year intervals after that. How lovely to receive a piece of jewellery with different gems as a reward for each year that you are married. And how satisfying to achieve the life success that allows you to buy such a gift for your loved-one each year.

Here is a list that covers the first ten years, along with a few interesting facts about the gemstones concerned.

Years One to Five

After a year the first gemstone is a freshwater pearl. These come in different colors, with the palest ones having the most value. Often called Fairies of the Water, in various different cultures, pearls are believed to be gifts from the gods to mankind. The ancient Romans believed they originated from drops of water that were captivated by the beauty of Venus.

For the second anniversary you have a choice of garnet or rose quartz, the latter believed to reduce stress and encourage a harmonious relationship.  Garnets are protective gemstones as they can illuminate darkness and highlight danger.

Crystal is the gemstone of the third anniversary. It has healing powers and overcomes negativity. Gathered from the beautiful gardens of underwater reefs, it has long been popular and is becoming rarer to find.

For the fourth, you also have to choose, this time between topaz and amethyst, which is another calming stone said to aid healing and promote creativity. Topaz is a protective stone: ancient Greeks thought it could make you invisible; Romans believed it could make you see more clearly; and Egyptians wore it to avoid injuries.

Beware the turquoise stone of the fifth anniversary. It will change color if your love fades or you are unfaithful. Turquoise is found in the Eastern Mediterranean countries and in America where it was used by medicine men for all sorts of healing purposes.

Years Six to Ten

Garnet and amethyst come up again as the choices for the sixth anniversary. If you receive garnet, wear it next to

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