What Is an Anniversary Ring? Meaning, Styles & Tips

An anniversary ring is a symbolic jewelry piece, usually a diamond or gemstone band, given to celebrate a marriage milestone. It’s worn alongside or instead of a wedding band and is often customized to match the couple’s evolving style, love story, or life event.

What You Need to Know Before You Shop:

• An anniversary ring celebrates your journey, a symbolic gift that marks any year or personal milestone, not just the big ones.
• It doesn’t have to match your original set, though many choose to stack it for a unified look.
• There’s no rule on timing, we’ve helped couples upgrade at 3 years, 7, even after new babies or vow renewals.
• You can go classic or bold, think diamonds, colored stones, hidden halos, even lab-grown options over 3 carats.
• Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly popular, especially for bigger sizes and better value.
• Yes, men get them too, and they’re not just gifts anymore, many of our clients choose their own anniversary ring as a personal upgrade or celebration.

At Mikado, we offer custom anniversary rings designed around your story. Whether you’re looking to match your original band, completely rethink the design, or finally get the diamond size you always wanted, we guide you step by step, with no pressure and complete transparency. Remote consults, 3D renderings, expert sourcing, we’ve got it covered.

If you’re just here for the basics, no problem. But if you want the full picture, including styles, timing, costs, trends, and how to avoid the most common mistakes, keep reading.

What Is an Anniversary Ring?

An anniversary ring is more than a gift, it’s a marker of time. A tangible symbol of everything you’ve built together. It might be given on a milestone year like your 10th or 20th, or simply when the moment feels right. What matters most isn’t the date, it’s the meaning behind it.

Typically, these rings are diamond or gemstone bands. Some are subtle stackers, others make a bold statement. Some clients choose to wear them in place of their original wedding band. 

Others stack them beside their engagement and wedding rings. We've even designed anniversary rings that combine new gemstones with heirloom diamonds, honoring the past while celebrating the present.

We’re seeing more clients incorporate color (like yellow, blue, or pink diamonds), or use the ring as a personal upgrade to the ring they couldn’t afford early on. That’s the beauty of this tradition: it’s completely yours to define.

How Anniversary Rings Differ from Eternity Rings

This is one of the most common points of confusion, and understandably so.

An eternity ring has diamonds all the way around the band. It’s a continuous loop, symbolic, yes, but also limiting. Full eternity bands can't be resized. So if your partner’s ring size changes, you’re stuck.

Anniversary rings offer more flexibility. They can be full, half, or three-quarter eternity. They can include custom patterns, halo settings, or three-stone arrangements (which many clients love for representing past, present, and future).

We often steer clients toward anniversary bands instead of full eternity rings, especially if there's any chance their sizing might change down the road. And if stackability matters (which it usually does), we can design something that balances beautifully with their current set.

When Should You Give an Anniversary Ring?

The answer: whenever it feels meaningful.

Traditionally, people think of big years, 5th, 10th, 20th, 50th. But today’s clients are personalizing that rhythm. We’ve designed anniversary rings to mark:

• A first year of marriage.
• The birth of a child.
• A business milestone.
• A vow renewal.
• Or just a "we finally have the budget" moment.

There’s no wrong time. And you don’t need to wait for a round number or a cultural cue. Some of our favorite rings have been given at six years, 13, or 19, because life doesn’t always stick to clean milestones.

What Finger Do You Wear It On?

Here’s the short version: there’s no rule.

Most people wear their anniversary ring on their right hand, especially if it has a distinct style or color. Others stack it with their wedding and engagement ring on the left. Some trade in their original wedding band and replace it with the anniversary ring altogether.

We’ve seen clients pair dainty eternity bands with bold engagement rings. Others intentionally contrast, maybe adding a yellow gold hidden halo to a platinum solitaire stack.

The goal is simple: balance the symbolism with comfort and style. If it stacks, sits low, and doesn’t spin, it’ll get worn daily. And that’s what matters.

How Much Does an Anniversary Ring Cost?

This is where people start to get anxious. “How much is enough?” “Am I overspending?” “Will it look cheap if I under-budget?”

Here’s the truth: most anniversary rings we design fall between $1,200 and $4,500. But that range is wide. It depends on:

• Carat size and diamond quality.
• Whether you choose lab-grown or natural.
• Metal type (platinum and yellow gold are more expensive than white).
• Whether it’s a full band or partial.
• Any custom design elements or engraving.

Lab-grown diamonds have dramatically shifted what’s possible. Five years ago, a 3-carat anniversary ring would’ve been unthinkable for many. Now, it’s within reach, and gorgeous.

The real question isn’t “what should I spend,” but rather: “what do I want this ring to represent?” We can work backward from there and create something perfect for your budget and story.

Popular Styles for Anniversary Rings

Anniversary rings aren't one-style-fits-all. Some people want something that blends seamlessly with their original set. Others use it as an opportunity to try something totally different, bigger, bolder, or more colorful.

Here are the styles we see most often at Mikado:

• Diamond eternity bands: Classic, sparkly, and stackable.
• Three-stone rings: Symbolic and balanced, past, present, future in a single setting.
• Hidden halo rings: Subtle sparkle from the side. These are extremely popular with clients upgrading from a solitaire.
• Colored diamonds: Yellow, blue, and pink are trending fast, especially in mixed metal or bezel-set styles.
• Fancy shapes: Oval, radiant, emerald, pear, even lozenge or hexagonal. Round is no longer the default.

Customization plays a big role here. Many of our clients start with an inspiration photo but tweak the band width, add engraving, or swap out stones to create something truly personal.

And if you’re not sure? We’ll show you side-by-sides, CAD mockups, and even 3D renderings to help you visualize how it all comes together.

Can an Anniversary Ring Replace a Wedding Band?

Absolutely. This is actually more common than people think.

Some clients never really loved their original wedding band, or it no longer fits their style. Others want to mark a fresh chapter in their marriage with a new piece that reflects where they are now.

We’ve helped clients trade in their original bands and apply the value toward a custom anniversary ring, upgraded metals, larger diamonds, new shapes, or hidden details like birthstones inside the shank. It’s a refresh that still honors the past.

If your current ring feels outdated, too thin, or doesn’t sit flush with your engagement ring, this is the perfect moment to make it right.

Should You Shop Together or Surprise Them?

Here’s the honest answer: it depends on your partner.

Some love the surprise. Others want to be part of every design detail. Most of our clients fall somewhere in the middle, they want input but don’t need full control. That’s why we offer private virtual consults where you can include your partner or keep it discreet.

If stackability is key, or if you're designing around an existing engagement ring, having your partner involved saves a lot of back-and-forth. On the flip side, if you’re going bold with a standalone style, a surprise might be perfect.

We’ll walk you through either path, and help you avoid the #1 issue we see with surprises: getting the wrong size, especially with eternity bands that can't be resized.

What Gemstones or Metals Go With Each Anniversary?

Traditionally, certain stones and metals are linked to specific years. Some clients love following that pattern. Others don’t care at all.

Here’s the general breakdown:

• 1st: Gold.
• 5th: Sapphire.
• 10th: Diamond.
• 15th: Ruby.
• 20th: Emerald.
• 25th: Silver (jewelry, not the metal itself).
• 30th: Pearl.
• 40th: Ruby again.
• 50th: Gold.

But we’re seeing a shift. Many clients skip tradition in favor of what looks best or holds personal meaning. We’ve designed ruby rings for 3-year anniversaries, and yellow diamond halos for year 11. Don’t feel boxed in, this is your story, not a checklist.

Why Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Reshaping Anniversary Rings

Let’s clear something up: lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Chemically, physically, visually identical to mined ones. The only difference? Origin, and pricing.

More and more clients are using lab-grown stones in anniversary rings for one simple reason: they get more diamond for their money. A 3-carat lab-grown anniversary band today costs what a 1.5-carat mined diamond did just a few years ago.

This opens the door to:

• Upgrading in size.
• Adding hidden halos or extra pavé.
• Choosing fancy shapes (like radiant or lozenge) without compromise.

Lab-grown options also make it easier to prioritize cut and clarity, without blowing your budget. And if you’ve ever worried about breaking tradition by going this route, don’t. The only “tradition” that matters is honoring your story.

Anniversary Rings Aren’t Just for Women

This might surprise you, but anniversary bands for men are growing in popularity. We’ve designed:

• Bold platinum bands with hidden engraving.
• Brushed yellow gold with a single inset sapphire or diamond.
• Modern mixed-metal stackers for those who want something new and personal.

It’s not about flash, it’s about meaning. Whether it’s to mark 10 years, a business milestone, or the birth of a child, more men are wearing rings that speak to those moments. And we’re here for it.

When the Ring Isn’t Just About Marriage

More and more clients are choosing anniversary-style rings for moments that go beyond traditional anniversaries. Some examples:

• Blended families adding birthstones of children.
• Vow renewals with upgraded designs.
• Personal celebrations like a sobriety milestone, a major health recovery, or launching a business.

We've even seen clients repurpose the center diamond from their original engagement ring into a brand-new anniversary band, creating something symbolic and sustainable.

This kind of story-first design is where custom really shines. You’re not stuck with preset styles or marketing rules. We help you build a ring that honors the chapter you’re in, whatever that looks like.

Let’s Design Something That Feels Like You

Whether you’re upgrading, restacking, or starting fresh, an anniversary ring is your chance to say, “This is who we are now.”

We’d love to help.

At Mikado Diamonds, every piece is built around your story. No pressure. No pushy showroom tactics. Just real guidance, beautiful lab-grown stones, and designs you won’t find anywhere else.

Book a consult and we’ll walk you through everything, design, size, style, stone. We’ll even show you 3D renderings before a single dollar is spent. Because your ring should be as lasting and personal as your relationship.

Want to talk it through? Book your free virtual consultation today. 

We’ll help you get it exactly right.