Welcome back to our series on incorporating jewellery into every wedding anniversary.  In part 1, we covered the first 5 anniversaries (as well as a list of the materials for each anniversary). So let’s continue …

 

After six happy years of marriage it's traditional to exchange gifts of iron, a metal that doesn't lend itself to beautiful jewellery.  Iron is a very workable metal though, so you could commission an artisan blacksmith to make a stunning jewellery tree from iron and then incorporate some Amore Argento jewellery as part of the gift.  The very brave might dare to gift an actual iron, but it would be advisable to also give something your partner can wear and cherish, such as a lovely pair of earrings with their or your birthstone in.  You could even opt for the birthstone of the month you got married as an extra special touch.  We have lots of design styles for earrings and necklaces with birthstones in, so take a look round our website for inspiration.

 

Seven years of marriage are marked by the exchange of wool or copper gifts.  While copper jewellery is available, some people are allergic to the metal and it can tint the skin green so it's best avoided.  A woollen gift would be much better, perhaps a cashmere scarf or gloves?  If you have the budget for a cashmere jumper then why not go all out?  Team your luxury woollen gifts with a smooth bangle or bracelet such as our Line of Love bracelet, a pretty tennis-style bracelet that works for all occasions.

 

Bronze is the material to mark eight years of marriage, and while it's not ideal for jewellery, bronze is fantastic for sculptures.  You can buy something modern, or search for an antique piece to your partner's tastes.  Many bronze statues are of the human figure, so in most cases you will be able to adorn your bronze statuette with a ring or bangle around an arm or leg as a nice touch.  When your partner wears that piece of jewellery they will be reminded of the lovely statue you gave them.

 

Nine years of wedlock is celebrated by the exchange of pottery gifts, but instead of giving a mug or plate why not organise a pottery painting date?  There are lots of places that offer pottery classes and pottery painting and a shared experience will give you lots of memories to cherish forever.  While you're at your pottery session, give your partner a piece of jewellery, a necklace would be ideal, as they can wear this straight away even while painting or throwing a pot and it will create a lovely memory of that shared experience.

 

Ten years of marriage is marked by tin or aluminium, but we wouldn't recommend gifting a roll of silver foil unless your partner has a very good sense of humour!  There are specialist tin jewellers out there who make jewellery designed for this very anniversary, and the traditional place tin is found in the UK is Cornwall.  Perhaps a nice trip away to the Cornish coast and the gift of tin jewellery is just the ticket?

 

Steel is the material associated with eleven years of marriage, but it's not the most romantic of items.  Why not purchase some quality Sheffield Steel cutlery, such as a cake slice or salad spoons and wrap a bracelet around them as an extra gift?  Quality household items like this make fantastic gifts because they're practical and useable, and will give you a little boost every time you use them.

 

Silk or linen makes another appearance at the twelve year mark, so check out part one of this series for ideas for silk gifts (four year anniversary).  The thirteen year anniversary is associated with lace, a lovely material which has romantic connotations.  Handmade lace can be very expensive and Belgium has a thriving artisan lace industry.  A nice weekend away in Bruges is a lovely way to mark the occasion and purchase some beautiful handmade lace.  A lace edged dressing table mat could be an option, and lace doilies can elevate a plain jewellery tray to new heights. Wrap your jewellery item in the lace for a double present and a nice surprise – ensure that you wrap any jewellery that might catch on the lace in some tissue paper or fabric before wrapping the lace around it so you don't damage the lace.

 

For those of you who have been married longer, please join us again soon for part three of our wedding anniversary series.