What is more joyous and heartfelt than giving your loved one a special gift each year to commemorate a wedding anniversary? Traditionally, every anniversary is celebrated by giving a gift made from a different material. It isn’t clear when this traditional list came into existence. It probably originated in the Middle Ages when very few people could afford rare stones and jewelry and it evolved over time. But these days, giving paper, cotton or glass somehow don’t seem to capture the significance of the happiest day of your life.

There is a new tradition gaining popularity, however. And it will please your loved one a whole lot more than paper or glass. It’s the growing trend of giving a lasting gift of beautiful gemstone jewelry for your anniversary. Here is a list of gemstones that are quickly becoming the accepted norms to commemorate each anniversary year.

If you are a purist and don’t want to break with tradition, however, there are other creative ways to satisfy your traditional inclinations with modern flair. For instance, you can always tuck a ring inside a leather wallet, tie a cluster of roses together with a bracelet, or hide a necklace inside the pocket of a silk robe. You’ll be following time-honored tradition while delivering an anniversary gift that engenders deep feelings for years to come.