Reaching the 40th wedding anniversary is a major milestone worth celebrating. After four decades of marriage, the couple deserves to commemorate their commitment, longevity, and devotion with a special gift. The traditional 40th anniversary gift is ruby, a precious gemstone that symbolizes passion and lasting love.
The Significance of the 40th Anniversary
The 40th anniversary holds deep meaning for the couple looking back at the path they have forged together. They have weathered challenges, celebrated joys, raised children, and created a lifetime of memories. Now they can rejoice in the strength and beauty of their relationship.
The ruby gemstone fits perfectly as the symbolic 40th anniversary gift. Its fiery crimson hue represents the passion, energy, and romance that can continue burning bright even after 40 years. The durability and lustre of the ruby parallels the resilience and radiance of a marriage standing the test of time.
Traditional Anniversary Gift Lists
The tradition of giving special anniversary gifts based on the number of years married dates back to medieval Germany. Over time, cultural variations emerged with different materials associated with each milestone year. Two early lists that helped standardize the custom include:
- The traditional materials list – first published in 1937 by the American National Retail Jeweler Association. It links gifts to a progressive order of increasing value, based on the longer duration of marriage.
- The modern list – created in 1952 by Emily Post to provide more contemporary gift suggestions like appliances and electronics. The modern list pairs well with the traditional materials.
These traditional and modern anniversary gift guides help inspire ideas while carrying on time-honored tradition.
Ruby: The 40th Anniversary Gem
As a precious gemstone renowned for its hardness, brilliance and striking blood-red color, the ruby fittingly represents a 40 year long marriage.
Properties and Symbolism
The ruby has been prized throughout history as one of the big four gemstones, along with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. Its rare beauty and mystical properties carry rich symbolism:
- The vibrant red color signifies everlasting love, passion, courage and emotion
- Its extreme hardness and durability (9 on the Mohs scale) parallel a resilient, long-lasting marriage
- In Hindu tradition, the glowing red ruby associates with the sun and helps remove negative energies
- Burmese legend declares rubies fell from the sun and landed on the earth when it first formed
- Ancient Hindus believed rubies helped the wearer be successful in love and war
Where Rubies are Found
While trace elements give rubies their red luminescence, the gemstones form naturally from mineral corundum – aluminum oxide. Rubies crystallize deep underground under extreme heat and pressure conditions that facilitate the integration of chromium ions. This imparts the ruby’s famous saturated red tint.
For centuries the world’s main source of high quality rubies was Myanmar (Burma). Significant deposits have since been found in:
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- Madagascar
How to Incorporate Rubies into a 40th Anniversary Gift
Forty years deserves commemorating with a special ruby gift. Traditional ideas include:
- Ruby jewelry – Ruby rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings make stunning keepsakes. Opt for gold settings which highlight the stone’s deep red sparkle. Custom engraving personalizes it further.
- A ruby watch or cufflinks – For the special man, ruby accessories like a watch or engraved cufflinks add some personalized luxury.
- Ruby gemstones – Loose rubies, a ruby bead bracelet, or incorporating rubies into a new piece of jewelry are all great mementos. Have them inscribed with a special date or message.
- Special ruby gifts – Find ruby jewelry boxes, vases, goblets or artworks to display. Framing an inscription with two rubies representing the couple also makes a sentimental gift.
Those looking to give an extra special 40th anniversary surprise might opt for:
- A ruby and diamond ring or pendant
- A travel adventure to see rubies in Asia
- Commissioning a custom ruby jewelry set
Other Symbolic 40th Anniversary Gift Ideas
In addition to the traditional ruby stone, other meaningful 40th anniversary gift suggestions include:
1. Rose
Red roses symbolize romantic love and passion – fitting for a couple celebrating 40 years together. Forty roses for 40 years makes a beautiful gift, as does including roses in other anniversary presents.
2. Wine
A bottle or case of fine aged wine is perfect for toasting the maturation of the marriage along with fine wine’s richness and complexity. Personalize it by engraving the bottle or glasses with the couple’s names and anniversary date.
3. Timepiece
An elegant watch, engraved clock, or hourglass highlights the passage of time and commemorates four decades of making memories together.
4. Paper
Paper symbolizes how the relationship has unfolded and evolved over 40 years of shared stories and milestones. Create a memory book, framed poem, or custom artwork depicting the couple’s journey.
5. Jade
In Asian culture, Jade represents virtue, wisdom and tranquility – wonderful sentiments for 40 years of partnership. Jade figurines, pendants or vases make unique anniversary mementos.
6. Music
Compile special songs with meaning into a playlist or mixed CD/cassette. Or find a nostalgic vinyl record from when the couple first met and frame alongside a wedding photo.
7. Travel
Booking a vacation to a special destination allows the couple to celebrate 40 years by making new memories. Ideas include cruises, tropical getaways, adventure packages and sentimental journeys back to honeymoon spots or wedding venues.
Honoring the Milestone
Reaching 40 years together is an amazing commitment deserving recognition and celebration. Let the ruby and all it symbolizes – passion, resilience, emotional connection – represent the beauty of a marriage that has stood the test of time. Surprise your spouse with a special ruby keepsake and toast to a lifetime of love.
