55th Anniversary Gifts
Emerald is the 55th anniversary gift on both US lists. It is the green to bluish green variety of beryl, the mineral that also gives us aquamarine, GIA explains.
55th Anniversary Gifts at a glance
| Traditional gift | Emerald |
|---|---|
| Modern gift | Emerald |
| Gemstone (GIA list) | Alexandrite (June birthstone) |
| Flower (Emily Post Institute) | Calla lily |
| Length of marriage | 20,088 or 20,089 days (13 or 14 February 29s) |
Why emerald for the fifty-fifth anniversary?
For emerald, GIA says color matters most. The most valued stones are bluish green to pure green, with vivid color that is not too dark.
The largest cut emerald in the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection began as a wedding gift. In 1931 Clarence Mackay gave his bride, the opera singer Anna Case, a Cartier necklace set with the 167.97-carat Mackay Emerald. She left it to the Smithsonian in 1984.
Emerald fillers, settings and created stones
- GIA does not grade emeralds, but its report says whether filling is minor, moderate or significant (F1, F2 or F3). GIA says how heavily a stone is filled matters more than the filler type.
- Pick a setting that protects the stone. GIA says emeralds are not everyday ring stones and suggests a bezel, or a ring of accent stones around it, to guard against knocks.
- Tell the jeweler before any resizing or repair. GIA says the fillers in emerald can be removed or altered by jewelry repair, ultrasonic cleaning and even alcohol.
- Be wary of a low-priced emerald that looks flawless. GIA says natural emerald generally has inclusions, so a well-priced clean stone is likely synthetic or a simulant.
55th anniversary gift ideas
- An emerald pendant or a pair of emerald studs
- A garden, or an emerald-green plant for the home
- A book of letters from family and friends
When is your 55 year wedding anniversary?
More date tools: Anniversary Calculator, Birthday Calendar, What Day Was I Born.
Anniversary gifts for other years
55th Anniversary Gifts questions
What is the 55 year anniversary gift?
Emerald for both the traditional and the modern gift. GIA counts emerald among the "Big Three" gemstones, with ruby and sapphire.
What is a created emerald?
A created emerald is grown in a lab, not mined. GIA says these are usually sold with the maker's name plus the word "created." FTC guides also allow "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created" or "synthetic" right before the stone name. Under FTC rules, the word "faux" on its own does not meet that requirement.
Published October 9, 2026. Last updated October 29, 2026.