When you’ve been married for 30 years, nothing seems good enough to commemorate that. After all, it’s an exceptional milestone in any marriage and one that most people never get to.
Luckily, pearls are the traditional gift to give a lady approaching 30 years in her marriage. They’re the 30th anniversary gemstone and gives you heaps of options to choose from. Pearls are also the modern gift for the 12th wedding anniversary so everything we cover here would work for a younger couple just completing their 12th year as a married couple as well.
Let’s take a look.
Why Pearls
Each anniversary corresponds to a special gemstone or material, which begins with paper (anniversary 1) and ends with diamonds (anniversary 60). The first 15 anniversaries have a material corresponding to each one, but from there on it goes every 5 years. Here’s the complete list for traditional anniversary gifts:
ANNIVERSARY GIFTS BY YEAR:
1ST YEAR: Paper
2ND YEAR: Cotton
3RD YEAR: Leather
4TH YEAR: Fruit & Flowers, or Linen & Silk
5TH YEAR: Wood
6TH YEAR: Iron / Candy
7TH YEAR: Wool/ Copper
9TH YEAR: Pottery
10TH YEAR: Tin/ Aluminum
11TH YEAR: Steel
12TH YEAR: Silk
13TH YEAR: Lace
14TH YEAR: Ivory
15TH YEAR: Crystal
20TH YEAR: China
25TH YEAR: Silver
30TH YEAR: Pearl
35TH YEAR: Coral
40TH YEAR: Ruby
45TH YEAR: Sapphire
50TH YEAR: Gold
55TH YEAR: Emerald
60TH YEAR: Diamond
Pearls come at the midway mark and are the start of the precious stones which continue to increase in value, ending with diamonds. So a pearl anniversary marks the beginning of the ‘special’ anniversaries, the major milestones that you’d really want to celebrate.
Who Gets an Anniversary Gift?
Ideally, both partners of the relationship should get an anniversary gift corresponding to the material. Just because a woman is traditionally associated with jewelry doesn’t mean that the other party needs to be forgotten or forego the gift. In fact, there are lots of great ideas for pearl gifts for men too.
You could purchase a pearl gift for each other or purchase a gift for a couple you know celebrating their 30th or their 12th anniversaries.
Pearl Anniversary Gift Ideas for Her
Let’s begin by taking a look at all the pearl gift ideas you could for her. Always check whether she already has any of the following gifts and if not go for it. These are all versatile gift ideas that most women would love to have.
1- Pearl Stud Earrings
Pearl stud earrings are classic staples and should be in any woman’s jewelry collection. Because pearls come in a range of varieties, pick one that you think she’ll love. Take cues from her current jewelry to guide you. If she likes trendy, unorthodox pieces, try black pearls or baroque shapes. If she’s more into traditional styles, go for white, round pearls. By now, you’ll know her well enough to pick out her style!
2- Mother of Pearl Watch
Classic mother of pearl face watch..
There’s more to pearl jewelry than the perfectly spherical little balls. Mother of pearl is also an excellent variation to pearls and is essentially made of the same stuff. Because it’s flatter and sometimes more lustrous, it is ideal in use for watch faces or flat pendants.
2- Antique or Antique-Inspired Pearl Jewelry
Beautiful replica antique ring from Tresors du Jour.
For those who love the vintage and the quaint, a piece of antique jewelry will always be welcome. Because pearls are among the oldest gemstones to be used in jewelry, you’ll find many gorgeous antique pieces featuring them. This beautiful Edwardian ring with emeralds features a single perfect pearl in the center.
If you think she’d prefer a new version of an antique design, you can always find a replica antique style. Rings, earrings and pendants are some popular options. Pair with other gemstones for more color and meaning.
3- A Modern Pearl Jewelry Set
Modern pearl jewelry set.
Just because you’ve been married for 30 years doesn’t mean your fashion sense has to lose touch with modernity. Go the opposite way of antique and pick out a contemporary pearl jewelry set like the one featured here.
This type of jewelry is perfect for a woman who loves to be at the front of attention, loves stylish jewelry and always looks great. Contemporary jewelry is a reminder that you’re never too old to be young and modern.
4- Pick a Rare Pearl Variety
Stunning conch pearl and diamond necklace.
There are certain pearl varieties that are so rare not many people have heard of them. This includes conch pearls, melo melo pearls and abalone pearls. You normally wouldn’t be able to find these pearls on retail platforms or in store, but you can come across gorgeously crafted pieces on marketplaces like Etsy or in designer collections like the Mikimoto conch pearl line.
Picking rare pearl jewelry is a way of showing how much thought you’ve put into the gift and an implication that your relationship is as rare as the pearl.
An interesting bit of trivia is that the pearls mentioned here (melo melo, conch and abalone) have never been successfully cultured, which means that any you find on the market are 100% wild with no man-made interference.
5- Pearl Ring to Renew Your Vows
Beautiful pearl ring.
Remember when you first got together 30 years ago and made your vows to each other? Why not renew those vows with a special pearl ring? A pearl ring is something that can be worn on special occasions and one that wouldn’t compete with the original engagement or wedding ring. It can always be worn on the right hand and given the attention that it deserves.
This is also perfect for a young couple planning to renew their vows after 12 years together.
6- Handcrafted Mother of Pearl Inlay Box
Stunning mother of pearl inlay box.
Over the time you’ve been together, surely she’s collected lots of treasures that mean a lot to her. Why not give her a beautiful mother of pearl inlay box to keep those treasures safe? This is a beautiful gesture and a statement that shows you not only care about what she values but plan to collect lots more treasures in the coming years together.
Pearl Anniversary Gift Ideas for Him
So what about pearl gifts for him? Turns out there are many options available. Here are some of our top picks:
1- Pearl Cufflinks
Tahitian pearl cufflinks.
If your man likes his suits, a pair of well-chosen pearl cufflinks will always be welcome. Pearl cufflinks can come at many price points, and you can have your pick from affordable freshwater to stylish Golden South Sea. Our personal favorite for cufflinks is Tahitian pearls, because their black body tone is ideal for a masculine look.
2- Pearl Jewelry
Keep it simple like this.
You might be wondering whether it’s going a bit too far to pick pearl jewelry for your man, but men have always worn pearl jewelry and always will. Again, stick with Tahitian pearls if you think he might balk at the idea of wearing white pearls. Opt for materials like leather, cord and black pearls for a masculine look.
3- Men’s Pearl Tie Clip
Men’s pearl tie clip.
For a man who loves to wear a tie, or who likes to look good in general, a pearl tie clip would make a good choice. It would keep his tie secure will adding a dash of sophisticated style. Pearl tie clips are an affordable pearl gift but looks very luxurious and expensive.
4- Pearl Inlay Rings
Pearl inlay wooden rings.
An excellent way to give him pearl jewelry that you know he will love is to opt for pearl inlay. If you think traditional pearls aren’t his thing, pearl inlay rings might be what you’re looking for. For pearl inlay rings, the pearls are usually crushed and set into either metal or wood. This keeps the luster and color of the pearl in a completely new way. Pair with metal for a conventional look or with wood for a modern style.
There you have it. Our top ideas on pearl jewelry for him and her when celebrating your 30th wedding anniversary.
