55th anniversary: traditional and modern
The 55th wedding anniversary entry is part of the post-30 stretch of the published gift canon. The traditional designation is Emerald. The modern alternate is Emerald. The associated gemstone is Alexandrite.
Anniversary Atlas is publishing the full editorial entry for year 55 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 55th-anniversary gifts
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 55th anniversary gift?
The traditional 55th anniversary gift is Emerald. The modern alternate is Emerald. The associated gemstone is Alexandrite.
What is the traditional 55th anniversary symbol?
Emerald. 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 55th anniversary gift?
Emerald. 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 55th anniversary?
Alexandrite. Gemstone designations follow the 1957 American Gem Society standard.
Is the 55th anniversary a jubilee?
Yes. The 55th anniversary is the emerald jubilee, one of the named milestone anniversaries in the published canon.