40th anniversary: traditional and modern
The 40th wedding anniversary entry is part of the post-30 stretch of the published gift canon. The traditional designation is Ruby. The modern alternate is Ruby. The associated gemstone is Ruby jubilee.
Anniversary Atlas is publishing the full editorial entry for year 40 in the next refresh cycle. Until then, this page documents the canonical designations sourced from the 1937 traditional list, the 1948 modern alternate list, and the 1957 American Gem Society gemstone standard.
For a fully fleshed editorial treatment, see one of our milestone deep-dives: 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th.
Where to buy 40th-anniversary gifts
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 40th anniversary gift?
The traditional 40th anniversary gift is Ruby. The modern alternate is Ruby. The associated gemstone is Ruby jubilee.
What is the traditional 40th anniversary symbol?
Ruby. This entry comes from the 1937 Anniversary Books Bureau codification of the wedding-anniversary gift list, adopted by Emily Post and carried into every major published list since.
What is the modern 40th anniversary gift?
Ruby. The modern alternate list was published in 1948 by Chicago jeweler Helen Marek, updating the traditional list with more practical and contemporary categories.
What gemstone is associated with the 40th anniversary?
Ruby jubilee. Gemstone designations follow the 1957 American Gem Society standard.
Is the 40th anniversary a jubilee?
Yes. The 40th anniversary is the ruby jubilee, one of the named milestone anniversaries in the published canon.