A Lucky Gemstone for a Very Lucky Lady – The Perfect 34th Wedding Anniversary Gift for Her

Have you got any plans this year? Or are you letting the event slide past without any recognition? Because all your efforts are concentrated on next year’s milestone anniversary of 35 years. While it may be a very tempting idea, don’t make the mistake of missing out on giving your wife a memorable 34 year wedding anniversary gift. This is your chance to demonstrate your love and affection, and surprise her with a meaningful and thoughtful gift.

There is no traditional theme you can use for inspiration, as it has long been considered one of the lesser anniversary years. However, we’re behind the modern way of thinking, in that every year deserves its own special theme. If you’re looking for a 34 year anniversary gift for her the theme in question is a very lucky gemstone, the opal.

34th Anniversary Gift Ideas for Her

34th wedding anniversary gifts for her made using opal

Opals come in a variety of colors including yellow, red, orange, green, black, blue, brown, as well as colorless. It is actually classed as a mineraloid, and is deposited at low temperatures. It can occur in almost any kind of rock, usually in a fissure. But is most commonly found together with basalt, limonite, sandstone, marl, or rhyolite It is the national gemstone of Australia, the birthstone for October, and also the gemstone associated with a 14th wedding anniversary.

The biggest producer of opals is Australia, no surprises there. And most are found in South Australia. The most valuable opal in the world was found in Coober Pedy in South Australia, in 1956, and this is also the present day hub for Australia’s opal production.

Early in history, the opal was considered to be a very lucky stone because it possessed the virtues of the gemstones whose colors it contained. It was also thought to make the bearer invisible, provided it was wrapped in a bay leaf and held in their hand.

Unfortunately, its popularity took a nosedive when it acquired a less favorable reputation. A novel was published in 1829 by Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish historical novelist. The novel was called Anne of Geierstein, or The Maiden of the Mist. Lady Hermione, an enchanted princess in the story, wore an opal in her hair. When drops of holy water were sprinkled on the stone its radiance was quenched and Hermione fell into a swoon. The next day there was nothing left of Hermione, save a small heap of ashes. Scott’s novel was very popular at the time and people began to associate opals with bad luck and death. Sales of opals in Europe dropped by 50%, and stayed low for the next couple of decades.

Thankfully, we’ve moved on from such ill-founded superstitions and it is now a very popular gemstone, particularly for anniversary and October birthday gifts.

Different types of opal

William Shakespeare dubbed the opal the “Queen of Gems” when it featured in his play “Twelfth Night”. It is one of the most varied and beautiful stones you can buy. Here are the different types you’ll find on the market today.

• Natural – Found naturally in the ground, and sold as found.
• Black – The most rare and highly prized. It’s not actually black, but a dark color with flashes of different color inside.
• White – Milky or white opals are the most common, and are often cheaper.
• Boulder – Mined in Queensland, northeast Australia. They are formed in boulders, or siliceous ironstone concretions, and are of a high quality.
• Matrix – Matrix opals are where the opal is diffused throughout a host rock, most often in thin layers.
• Crystal – This is a transparent type of opal that reflects a good amount of color, and is second to the black opal in terms of rarity and value.
• Fire – This type of opal is found in the highlands of Mexico. It does have a lot of play in the color, but its rare red-orange color has made it a treasured gem.
• Potch – These aren’t considered valuable and are used more for refraction purposes. There is not much play of color, but it is still a very beautiful gem. They are found in almost any color, and have a pearly luminescence.

Not everyone’s budget will stretch to the purchase of an opal, in which case there is nothing wrong with picking an opal-themed gift.

Surprise her with an opal-themed 34th wedding anniversary gift

Imagine an opal. What is the first color that springs to mind? We asked around the office here at anniversarygiftideasforher.com, and the most popular suggestion was pearlescent white. If opals aren’t in your price bracket for a 34 year wedding anniversary gift for her then consider a white colored gift instead.

Flowers are always a great choice if you’re looking for gifts for a lady. The only problem with flowers is that they have a tendency to quickly fade and die. Which means your 34th anniversary gift for her will soon be forgotten. A long lasting alternative would be a natural rose bloom that has been glazed and trimmed with gold. Choose a pair of earrings or a beautiful pendant, because they will be an exquisite anniversary gift.

Another option is to buy her an item for the home. You could choose white colored cushions, embroidered with your names and date of your wedding, for a truly personal gift. There are a number of other options including towels, bed linen, and other home furnishings. All colored white to stay with the 34th anniversary gift theme.