Celebrating thirty years together is a remarkable achievement. Three decades of marriage, its ups and downs, the joys and the heartbreaks … every year together has brought you two closer and solidified the unique bond you share. This occasion calls for something truly special.
The 30th Anniversary is known as the Pearl Anniversary. A pearl starts out as a tiny bit of grit inside an oyster and slowly grows year after year gaining gorgeous luster, strength and beauty, just as a marriage does.
The giving of an anniversary gift stretches back to German Medieval times, but originally only two anniversaries were celebrated: the 25th and the 50th.
Wives would be given a silver myrtle crown to wear on the couple’s 25th anniversary, and a gold myrtle crown to wear on her 50th. Men would typically wear a matching boutonniere or belt buckle for the event.
Why Myrtle flowers? Glad you asked!
Throughout history, Myrtle flowers have been symbolic of love, fidelity, innocence and youth. The famous painting Venus by Botticelli depicts the goddess of love stepping out of her shell holding a sprig of Myrtle. The Romans would weave crowns of myrtle for brides during the day of their wedding.
Later these commemorative keepsakes would be displayed in frames and handed down to later generations. Vintage solid silver and gold myrtle crowns are today worth thousands of dollars as both metals are still incredibly precious, and the crowns themselves pretty rare!
This wrought Silver myrtle crown and boutonniere are vintage originals from Germany. Many wives would frame these as keepsakes to hang on their walls to admire after celebrations were over. Photo courtesy of Historyprops
Later the idea of giving your wife an anniversary gift would spread throughout Europe, and the Victorians would pick this idea up and run with it!
Soon other anniversaries became cause for celebration, like the 5th, the 10th the 15th and the 20th.
After that retailers and jewelers began to add gift ideas to each year, creating the list we know today. Bigger “milestone” years were traditionally flagged as years deserving of precious metals or gemstones, each one infused with symbolism and meaning.
The 30th Anniversary is reserved for pearls.
Our Top 10 Gift Guide showcases some of our most popular and loved pearls, perfect for your special occasion.
Hanadama Akoya pearls are hands down the most beautiful and lustrous Akoya pearls available on the markets today. Each 18-Inch Necklace features perfectly round and perfectly matched white Akoya pearls, shining with highly reflective luster and shimmering with iridescent orient.
The 8.0-8.5mm Hanadama Pearl Necklace is our most popular size, and exudes a sense of luxury and quiet elegance that she’ll be able to wear anywhere and look and feel special.
Tahitian pearls are the world’s most famous naturally “black” pearl. These exotic cultured pearls are grown in the tropical islands of French Polynesia, and are known for their large sizes, natural dark colors and eye-catching overtones of peacock, green, silver and rose (among many others!).
The 9.0-10.0mm size is our most popular Tahitian pearl earring size. These pearls are large enough to capture attention without being considered overly loud, heavy or distracting. These rare and colorful pearl earrings are guaranteed to be worn and loved forever.
Our best-selling “Blessed” Akoya Pendant and Earring Set combines two of our favorite things: pearls and diamonds. A trio of VS1 diamonds and Japanese Akoya pearls symbolizes each decade of marriage, making it a perfect choice for your 30th Anniversary.
Choose your preferred pearl size and gold color to tailor this 2-piece Set to her liking. Make it even more meaningful by matching her wedding rings!
The ultimate in classic pearl jewelry, this 3-piece Japanese Akoya Pearl Jewelry Set features a perfectly matched necklace, bracelet and stud earrings for your wife to wear and enjoy. The 7.0-7.5mm Akoya pearl size is incredibly versatile, so she’ll be able to flaunt her gorgeous saltwater pearls everywhere and look elegant and stylish.
Triple her enjoyment with this exquisite Triple Strand Akoya Pearl Bracelet. With each strand symbolizing 10 years of marriage, the Triple Strand is a perfect Pearl Anniversary gift.
Our saltwater Akoya pearls are sourced directly from the legendary pearl farms of Japan, famous for producing the finest Akoya pearls in the world. Shining with bright, mirror-like luster and delicately colored overtones, this pearl bracelet is a treasure she is guaranteed to cherish for always.
Surprise her for your Pearl Anniversary by gifting her this stunning “Grace” Tahitian Pearl Pendant and matching Earring Set. Shimmering with gorgeous natural shades of black to dark gray body colors and colorful overtones of blue-green, green, peacock, rose and silver, these rare black pearls are sure to be cherished.
Direct from the tropical pearl farms of French Polynesia, each Tahitian pearl is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation, shining with bright luster and a personality and character all its own. Each pearl symbolizes a full decade of marriage, making it a perfect choice for your 30th Anniversary gift.
Classic, refined, and timeless, a pair of PSL Certified Hanadama Akoya Pearl Stud Earrings are THE staple for every woman’s jewelry box. Each pair of perfectly matched Hanadama Akoya pearls shine with the highest luster possible of all Akoya pearls and arrives with their own individually numbered certification from the Pearl Science Laboratory from Tokyo, Japan.
The 8.0-8.5mm pearl size is perfect for both daily wear and special occasions. Hanadama pearls represent the top 0.01% of each Akoya pearl harvest, making these pearls the rarest and highest quality Akoya pearls found anywhere in the world. Perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime wedding anniversary gift.
Spanning across cultures and time, rare Golden pearls have symbolized wealth, health and harmony. What better way to celebrate your 30th Pearl Anniversary than with a stunning Golden South Sea Pearl and Diamond “Royal Flower” Ring?
This impressive pearl ring features our AAA Golden South Sea pearl measuring 9-10mm, and a total of eight sparkling VS1 diamond accents in a delicate flower pattern. The timelessness of pearls combined with the eternal fire of diamonds – this is a winning combination she is sure to love.
Mark this momentous occasion with our Gem Grade Freshwater pearls. Gem Grade Freshwater pearls are sourced from the top 1% of each year’s harvests. These pearls are chosen for their nearly perfect round shapes, excellent matching and luster that rivals the saltwater Akoya pearls from Japan.
This stately strand of Freshwater pearls consists of pearls measuring 8.5-9.0mm, which have an impressive presence without being ostentatious. This is a strand that begs to be worn to any occasion. This enduring pearl necklace is sure to be treasured and cherished by the love of your life.
Chic and modern, yet timeless in style you can never go wrong with a pair of Dangle Akoya Pearl Earrings. The slim silhouette of the 14kt gold Leverback earring are comfortable to wear for a full day without feeling heavy. The AAA saltwater Akoya pearls gleam with a bright, mirror-like luster that is guaranteed to get noticed.
Our cultured Akoya pearls arrive directly from the legendary pearl farms of Japan and are famous around the world for their superior nacre thickness, perfectly round shapes and ball-bearing luster. We offer a range of sizes to choose from, from demure and versatile 7.0-7.5mm pearls to our largest and most luxurious 9.0-9.5mm pearl size.
After an amazing gift of pearls, you can choose to add to your celebrations by incorporating a one (or a few!) of the romantic ideas below to make your Pearl Anniversary unforgettable.
We hope this list inspires you to celebrate your Pearl Anniversary in style, and with a timeless gift that symbolizes how much your love has grown over the decades together, and how much you cherish the special bond you share.
Whether you choose to offer a gift of lilies, pearls or diamonds (or all three), you can infuse any item with personal meaning that ensures your spouse will know you've been thinking especially of them on this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Still having troubles picking out the perfect 30th Anniversary Gift? Contact the pearl specialists at Pearls of Joy to get some expert tips and guidance.
