The Emerald Wedding: What Kind of Wedding Anniversary Is It?
The emerald anniversary celebrates 40 years of marriage. In the French tradition of wedding anniversaries, each year is associated with a material or a gemstone, and the 40th anniversary is represented by the emerald.
The choice of the emerald for this milestone is no coincidence: a rare, precious, and enduring gemstone, it symbolizes a love that has stood the test of time without losing its luster. It is one of the most prestigious anniversaries, coming just before the golden anniversary (50 years).
Forty years of married life. In the wedding anniversary calendar, this milestone is named after the greenest of all gemstones.
Every wedding anniversary has its own symbol: the cotton anniversary (1 year), the leather anniversary (3 years), the wooden anniversary (5 years), the silver anniversary (25 years), and the golden anniversary (50 years). Between the two major milestones—the silver and golden anniversaries—the 40th anniversary is marked by a rare gemstone: the emerald.
The emerald wedding anniversary marks 40 years
The emerald wedding anniversary marks the 40th wedding anniversary. It is a rare milestone: few couples reach forty years of married life, which makes this anniversary all the more precious.
In the list of wedding anniversaries, the emerald anniversary comes right after the ruby anniversary (35 years) and before the sapphire anniversary (45 years), followed by the golden anniversary (50 years). The three major colored gemstones—ruby, emerald, and sapphire—thus mark the final decades of marriage.
Where does this tradition come from?
The tradition of associating a specific material with each wedding anniversary is European and dates back to the Germanic Middle Ages. Originally, only a few major anniversaries were celebrated: the silver wedding anniversary (25 years) and the golden wedding anniversary (50 years), on which the husband would present his wife with a silver crown and then a gold one.
The complete list, organized by year, was compiled much later—primarily in the20th century—and varies slightly from one country to another. In France, the calendar was expanded to include gemstones for each year. The emerald was assigned to the40th anniversary, in keeping with the idea that the longest milestones deserve the most precious gemstones.
Why an emerald for the 40th anniversary?
The choice of the emerald for this milestone is based on its symbolism, which is perfectly suited to a long marriage.
A gemstone that has endured through the centuries without losing its luster, just like a love that has lasted forty years.
Ever since Roman times, the emerald has been the stone of Venus and of sincere, lasting feelings.
Its green color evokes constant renewal—a love that reinvents itself year after year.
Reaching 40 years of marriage is rare. The emerald, a rare gemstone, is the perfect symbol of this milestone.
What to Give for an Emerald Wedding Anniversary
The traditional gift is, naturally, a piece of jewelry set with an emerald. There are several options depending on the recipient and your budget.
For her
An emerald pendant or a pair of emerald earrings are safe bets. They showcase the stone without exposing it to impact, unlike a ring. An emerald ring is still an option, but it requires a protective setting, as the stone is relatively fragile.
For him
Cufflinks or a tie pin set with a small emerald make for elegant and understated gifts, perfect for a man.
For the couple
A high-quality, unmounted emerald, presented in a case along with its certificate, is a heirloom gift. The couple can have it set according to their taste, or simply keep it as a symbol to pass down to their children and grandchildren.
For such a memorable anniversary, choose a certified emerald with a documented provenance. That’s what transforms a piece of jewelry into a heirloom, whose value and history live on long after the celebration.
Our most common questions
The emerald anniversary celebrates 40 years of marriage. It is one of the most prestigious anniversaries, falling between the ruby anniversary (35 years) and the sapphire anniversary (45 years), and preceding the golden anniversary at 50 years.
Because the emerald symbolizes durability, faithful love, and renewal. A rare gemstone that stands the test of time without losing its luster, it represents a love that has lasted forty years without losing its brilliance.
The traditional gift is a piece of jewelry set with an emerald: a pendant or earrings for her, cufflinks for him, or an unmounted emerald certified as a heirloom to be passed down. Always choose a certified stone.
In France, the emerald wedding anniversary marks 40 years of marriage. The jade wedding anniversary, on the other hand, marks 26 years. These are two distinct anniversaries. Please note: the lists may vary slightly depending on the country and source.
After the emerald anniversary (40 years) comes the vermeil anniversary (41 years), followed by the mother-of-pearl anniversary (42 years). The next major symbolic milestone is the sapphire anniversary, marking 45 years of marriage.
A Documented Emerald: From Its Origins to the Stone.