The tradition of giving gifts tied to specific materials for each anniversary year is older than most people realize — and as a blacksmith who works in iron, bronze, copper, aluminum, and silver, I have a particular appreciation for how well these materials map onto the milestones they represent.
Here's a practical guide to the traditional anniversary gifts by year, focused on the metals I work with every day in my forge.
1st Anniversary — Paper
The first anniversary is traditionally paper, representing the blank page of your new life together. I don't forge paper, so I'll leave this one to someone else.
5th Anniversary — Wood
Wood represents the strength and natural beauty that has grown in your relationship over five years. Again, outside my wheelhouse — but worth knowing as context for what comes next.
6th Anniversary — Iron
This is where things get interesting for me. Iron is the traditional 6th anniversary gift, and it's one of the most symbolically rich materials you could choose. Iron is forged under extreme heat and pressure — just like a marriage that has made it six years. It's strong, honest, and built to last.
In my forge, I make iron rings, infinity bracelets, heart necklaces, cuff bracelets, pendants, and anniversary plaques — all hand-forged using traditional blacksmithing techniques. Every piece is sealed with hypoallergenic jewelry enamel and made to order.
Browse the full 6th anniversary iron collection →
7th Anniversary — Copper
Copper is the traditional 7th anniversary gift, symbolizing prosperity, good fortune, and warmth. It's one of my favorite metals to work with — it has a rich, warm glow that no other metal quite matches, and it develops a beautiful natural patina over time.
I make copper rings from recycled copper, melted down and refined to purity before being forged by hand. I also make copper infinity bracelets that come in a personalized wooden gift box — one of my most popular 7th anniversary gifts.
Copper is a living metal. It will change and develop character over the years, which I think makes it a perfect metaphor for a seven-year relationship.
Browse the full 7th anniversary copper collection →
8th Anniversary — Bronze
Bronze is the traditional 8th anniversary gift. It's an alloy of copper and tin — and in my case, I alloy it myself on-site from raw materials rather than buying prefabricated bronze stock. That means every bronze piece I make has a slightly unique character that you simply can't get from mass-produced jewelry.
Bronze represents strength and durability — the qualities that define a marriage that has made it eight years. It has a warm golden tone that develops a rich patina over time, and it carries the weight and presence of a material that has been valued by craftsmen for thousands of years.
My 8th anniversary bronze collection includes rings, infinity bracelets, number 8 pendants, and bronze infinity pendants on stainless steel chains.
Browse the full 8th anniversary bronze collection →
10th Anniversary — Aluminum (or Tin)
The 10th anniversary is traditionally tin or aluminum, depending on which list you follow. I work with aluminum, and I think it's the better choice of the two for jewelry — it's lightweight, hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant, and has a clean, modern aesthetic that works well for everyday wear.
Aluminum represents flexibility and resilience — the ability to bend without breaking, which is a quality any ten-year relationship has had to develop. It's also genuinely lightweight, which makes it comfortable for people who don't usually wear jewelry.
My 10th anniversary aluminum collection includes rings with a tree bark texture, infinity bracelets, twist necklaces, and cuff bracelets — all hand-forged and hypoallergenic.
Browse the full 10th anniversary aluminum collection →
25th Anniversary — Silver
The silver anniversary is one of the most celebrated milestones in a marriage, and for good reason. Twenty-five years represents a lifetime of commitment, growth, and shared history — and silver, with its brilliance and timeless elegance, is a fitting tribute.
I make 25th anniversary silver jewelry from .999 pure silver — higher purity than standard sterling silver — using traditional blacksmith techniques. Each infinity bracelet weighs 7–8 grams of solid silver and arrives in a personalized wooden gift box.
Browse the full 25th anniversary silver collection →
A Note on Handcrafted Anniversary Gifts
Every piece I make is forged by hand in my home workshop. No casting, no outsourcing, no mass production. When you order from DABforge, you're getting a piece that was shaped by fire and hammer specifically for you — which I think is exactly right for a gift meant to honor years of love and commitment.
If you're not sure which piece is right for your partner, feel free to reach out. I'm a one-person shop and I'm happy to help you find the perfect fit for your anniversary.