What Is an Anniversary Ring? Shop Our Favorites
Whether it's a subtle stacker or statement piece for the other hand, an anniversary ring marks a major milestone.
Photo: Aurate
Usually, couples exchange an engagement ring or rings, followed by wedding bands a year or so later. But why stop there? Anniversary rings are a way to continue celebrating your love at each milestone (plus, they make for easy anniversary gifts for him or her).
"An anniversary ring is a meaningful way to celebrate a milestone in a couple's journey, whether it's one year or 10 years," explains Lisa Ingram, VP of bridal merchandising at KAY Jewelers. "While a wedding band traditionally symbolizes the start of a marriage, an anniversary ring commemorates everything that's happened since: the love, growth and memories built together." It might contain diamonds honoring a symbolic number, or colored gemstones nodding to your birthstones. The International Gem Society also has a chart of specific gemstones that mark each anniversary. "Just like traditional anniversary gifts, certain metals and gemstones are often tied to milestone years," Ingram adds. "For example, gold is commonly associated with the first anniversary, sapphire for the fifth, diamond for the tenth, ruby for the fifteenth and emerald for the twentieth."
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Here are 17 styles to shop right now, plus a few frequently asked questions about anniversary jewelry.
In this article:
Anniversary Rings to Shop Now
Anniversary rings are special pieces, and the 17 we've rounded up below are great for marking various milestones. Look for meaningful details like colored gemstones or symbolic numbers, and personalize pieces with a custom engraving to make them even more special.
1. Shane Co. Margaret Double Row Diamond Band
Photo: Shane Co.
This anniversary band is a two-for-one: Its double rows of diamonds are made up of nine natural baguettes totaling 0.3 carats, with a row of pavé rounds below. It has an art deco nod, but a chic modern feel.
2. Kay Signature Collection Five-Stone Anniversary Ring
Photo: Kay Jewelers
For five years, you deserve more diamonds to mark the milestone. This anniversary band diamond ring is a timeless beauty. "It features five lab-grown diamonds that symbolize enduring love and brilliance throughout the years," Ingram says. Its setting features sweeping arches that offer a unique side profile.
3. Melanie Casey Fractured Cigar Band
Photo: Melanie Casey
Wider cigar bands have been growing in popularity lately, and this unique split style puts a fresh twist on the gold anniversary rings trend. Stack it with your engagement and wedding rings if those bands are narrow, or wear it on the opposite hand to make its own impact.
4. David Yurman Cable Collectibles Stack Ring
Photo: Neiman Marcus
An easy stacker for year one—the gold anniversary—this petite gold anniversary ring has a cool twisted finish. The inside is smooth, so it glides on easily.
5. Aurate Lab-Grown Emerald Baguette Eternity Ring
Photo: Aurate
A 20-year anniversary ring should feature emeralds, according to the IGS, and this infinity style is the perfect emerald anniversary ring because it can be stacked with rings from other milestones. Plus, lab-grown emeralds come at an affordable price point (and are more durable than delicate natural emeralds).
6. Alexis Russell Diamond Squad Stacking Ring
Photo: Alexis Russell
No matter the milestone anniversary, you can't go wrong with diamonds. Look for a piece with a representative or meaningful number of diamonds: a diamond for each kid, for example. This one has four modern mixed shapes and stacks well with other rings.
7. Neil Lane Men's Black Diamond Wedding Band
Photo: Kay Jewelers
"This band features round-cut black diamonds framing an intricately engraved scroll pattern, bordered with milgrain detailing," Ingram describes. "Crafted in 14k yellow gold with black rhodium accents, it delivers a bold and distinctive look." Guys can upgrade their wedding band for anniversaries, or simply wear the new band on the other hand, if they're not into stacking.
8. Shane Co. Woven Diamond Band
Photo: Shane Co.
For wedding anniversary rings with a vintage feel, look for milgrain detailing, rose gold, marquise shapes or diamond starbursts. This one has a slightly wider band at 4.5mm, so it stacks well with more delicate rings.
9. Brilliant Earth Tribeca Diamond Ring
Photo: Brilliant Earth
There's no better way to celebrate your eternal love than with a full or half infinity ring—and this anniversary ring puts a unique twist on the classic style. Instead of regular baguettes, trapezoid diamonds are set at an angle in the half eternity to create movement, and yet it's still dainty at a slim 1.7mm.
10. Neil Lane Ruby Anniversary Band
Photo: Kay Jewelers
"This band showcases round natural rubies paired with sparkling diamonds, while milgrain beading and carved details complete the look," Ingram says. It's slim and stackable but still packs a sparkly punch—and a pop of color.
11. Alexis Russell Men's Stratum Band
Photo: Alexis Russell
The jewelry designer used one of her signature styles—the lined Stratum—for this men's band, a unique diamond anniversary ring with a subtle baguette embedded in the gold. It's a statement-making piece, and one that both partners can wear to match each other.
12. Icon Blue Green Sapphire Signet Ring
Photo: Bario Neal
A unisex signet style is the perfect ring to say "happy anniversary." Where most signets are more bulbous, this one has a straight edge that stacks more easily with other milestone pieces.
13. Eden Presley Celeste Dome Ring
Photo: Eden Presley
Your love was written in the stars, right? This bulbous celestial ring—which comes in a narrow or wider style—celebrates that, with diamond starbursts totaling 0.36 carats embedded into 14k gold.
14. Brilliant Earth Rochelle Freshwater Pearl & Diamond Ring
Photo: Brilliant Earth
Pearls are the traditional third anniversary gift; here, two are set between a trio of diamonds on a narrow band. The effect is dainty and subtle, but with a meaningful twist.
15. LALI Jewels Natural Blue Sapphire Anniversary Band
Photo: Jared Jewelers
Why have just one sapphire anniversary ring when you can have two? Or, at least, a double row of the blue stone? The gemstone is marked for both the 5th and 45th anniversaries, and here it gets interspersed with diamonds.
16. Kay Jewelers Now + Forever Diamond Anniversary Ring
Photo: Kay Jewelers
"This piece captures timeless romance," Ingram says. "The row of round-cut diamonds across the center of the crosshatch-patterned band makes it an elegant choice for a more traditional look." The name says it all. Your love endures—now and forever.
Anniversary Ring FAQs
Now that you're feeling inspired, there are a few important need-to-knows about anniversary rings, including how to wear an anniversary ring, how much to spend on one and more.
What is an anniversary ring?
Simply put, an anniversary ring is a band, usually gifted by your partner, to mark your wedding anniversary. "Historically, wedding bands were simple gold rings, while anniversary rings featured diamonds or gemstones to represent the special occasion," Ingram says. "Today, that distinction has become more fluid. Many couples choose a diamond or gemstone band as a wedding ring, while others add them later as anniversary pieces, creating a stack that tells the story of their relationship over time."
What we love most about anniversary rings is the symbolic building: As your relationship grows, so does your jewelry stack (and, by the way, you can add rings for other occasions too, like the birth of a child or a career accomplishment).
How do you wear an anniversary ring?
While there is no formal rule on how to wear your ring, there are a few primary ways people wear it. "Many people choose to add their anniversary ring to their existing stack [on the left hand ring finger] for a layered look, adding to the sentimental value," Ingram says. "Others prefer to wear it on their right hand or even on a different finger as a statement piece." The latter may be necessary if you already have a wide wedding band or engagement ring, or multiple rings stacked to the knuckle.
One final way to wear an anniversary ring is in place of your wedding band. Choose a style you can swap in or out: If you have a blingy wedding band, opt for a more subtle anniversary ring, or vice versa, so you have options. "It's really about personal style," Ingram says. "What matters most is that it feels special and fits your style."
Note that men and women alike can wear anniversary rings. "More men are embracing the idea of an anniversary ring as a symbol of lasting commitment," Ingram says. "The men's styles tend to be simple and sleek metal bands, sometimes incorporating subtle diamond and gemstone accents."
How much should you spend on an anniversary ring?
Again, there's no must-follow formula, just as there isn't a formula for what to spend on an engagement ring (the three-month's salary rule has long been thrown out the window). "What matters most is finding something meaningful within your budget," Ingram says. "Many people choose a piece that reflects both the milestone and their story." There are ways to make a favorite style more affordable, too, such as choosing lab-grown gemstones over natural ones.
