20th Anniversary Gift
The 20th anniversary brings china on the traditional list and platinum on the modern one, though Maud C. Cooke's 1899 guide warned that the 20th was "considered unlucky to celebrate, or even to mention."
Why china for the twentieth anniversary?
China is the everyday word for vitreous white tableware: plates, cups and serving pieces. Platinum, the modern gift, is a dense, naturally white metal that GIA describes as far rarer than gold. The USGS estimates 2025 world mine output at about 170 metric tons of platinum, against about 3,300 tons of gold. South Africa mined about 120 tons of that platinum.
Bone china and platinum purity marks
- Bone china must contain at least 25% bone ash under ASTM's ceramics terminology standard (C242). Bone ash is burned animal bone, mostly calcium phosphate. ASTM also requires bone china to be translucent.
- "Fine china" has no definition in that ASTM standard, so the label alone tells you little. Check the product details for the body type, and whether it is dishwasher and microwave safe.
- Under the FTC Jewelry Guides, a piece marked plain "Platinum," "Plat." or "Pt." must be at least 950 parts per thousand pure platinum. Marks like "900Pt." or "850Plat." show a lower share.
- Below 850 parts per thousand, each metal should be listed by amount, for example "600Pt.350Ir." or "585 Pt., 415 Co." The FTC also expects sellers to disclose rhodium plating on precious metal.
20th anniversary gift ideas
- Fine china: a tea set, plates or a serving dish
- A china teapot and a favorite tea
- A hand-painted china piece with your names
- A platinum band or pendant (modern)
When is your 20 year wedding anniversary?
More date tools: Anniversary Calculator, Birthday Calendar, What Day Was I Born.
Anniversary gifts for other years
20th Anniversary Gift questions
What is the 20 year anniversary gift?
China for tradition, platinum for the modern list. Cooke's 1899 list named the 20th the china, or sometimes floral, wedding.
Is platinum better than white gold?
Neither suits everyone, but they wear differently. GIA notes that platinum is naturally white, very wear resistant and hypoallergenic. White gold is often rhodium plated and needs replating as the plating wears off. Platinum slowly takes on a soft patina, which a jeweler can polish away.
Published October 9, 2026. Last updated October 29, 2026.