Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend – Not so When You’re Looking for a 52nd Wedding Anniversary Gift for Her

When it comes to buying anniversary gifts for her, things can become a bit of a struggle, especially when you’ve been buying gifts for more than half a century. Trying to come up with something special year after year can be a bit of a pain. But your worries are over, as we’ll be sharing some great ideas.

It hasn’t always been customary to worry about giving gifts for every anniversary year. When the tradition first started it was only twenty five and fifty years that received any kind of special recognition. The custom began in the Middle Ages, when a husband would give his wife a garland made of silver after 25 years as man and wife. And a garland made of gold when a fiftieth anniversary was being celebrated. Over the years, many more anniversary years were given their own specific theme, but there were still a number of gaps.

More recently, it has become customary for every anniversary year to have its own special theme, and for a 52 year wedding anniversary gift for her the theme is star rubies. Some of you may be wondering exactly what that is, so how about we explain.

52th Anniversary Gift Ideas for Her

What is a star ruby?

A star ruby is a very rare type of ruby. A ruby with a very special quality – an asterism. An asterism is a six-rayed star that appears on the surface of a stone when it is moved. What causes such a star-like effect? Needle-like rutile inclusions that are aligned is what causes a star to shimmer over the surface of certain gemstones, not just rubies. The star is only apparent when a gemstone is cut into cabochons.

Rubies are one type of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The beautiful red color is all down to the presence of chromium. Another type of gem-quality corundum are sapphires.

Star rubies are in fact very rare. Out of 100 rough corundum mined, only 3 will exhibit the star effect. And out of those three, only one will have a good star as well as a good color. Many of the original sources of star rubies have actually run out of supplies. Places such as Mogok in Burma. Production worldwide still takes place but the number of good quality star rubies is very small. As well as finding them being a rare occasion, modern trends now mean that most rough stones are cut into faceted stones, and not into cabochons. Therefore the star is not visible.

How to choose the best star rubies for a 52nd wedding anniversary gift

As we’ve already mentioned, star rubies are very rare, which means they are going to be expensive. All the more reason to understand the factors that affect the price, and be aware of what you should be looking out for. A star ruby is a stunning 52nd anniversary gift for her, and you need to be certain you’re not wasting your money, on something of inferior quality.

There are two qualities that determine the value of star rubies:

• The sharpness and strength of the star
• The beauty and intensity of the gems color

In order to appreciate the star effect in a ruby, the gemstone has to be cut correctly. A domed cabochon, that is medium to high is what is needed to show the star effect the best. The cabochon should also be round or oval-shaped. Not too flat on the top, and not too heavy on the bottom. It is common to find the bottom of star rubies unpolished, as this traps light within the gemstone, and highlights the star effect perfectly.

Rubies are red, but star rubies are actually available in a wider range of colors, from pinkish-red to a purplish brown color. Color distribution is more uneven than a ruby, and is often in striped and spots. A red ruby that has a star is very rare indeed, and extremely expensive. Generally, it’s pink star rubies that have the best stars.

The legends and beliefs linked with star rubies

Star rubies were worn by knights to protect themselves from the enemy on the battlefield. There is a local tale from India, that if a star ruby is worn as a visible pendant, or forms part of a person’s headgear, any enemy that faces them will lose half their valor. It is thought that a star ruby is most powerful when there is a full moon.

Star rubies also have a number of healing properties. They pep up internal strength, de-stress the mind, ward off tension, and drive away insomnia, hysteria, and migraines.

Star ruby 52 year anniversary gift ideas for her

After 52 years as man and wife you’ve surely want to push the boat out. So buy her a star ruby gift for your 52nd wedding anniversary. This gorgeous gemstone made into a pendant, bracelet pair of earrings, or a ring, will be something that will delight your wife, and show her how much you still care.

If your bank balance is running a little low on funds and an expensive gemstone just won’t fit your budget, consider a ruby-colored gift instead.

Whatever you choose to give her for a 52nd wedding anniversary gift, make sure it is something that matches your feelings for her. 52 years as man and wife is a long time in anyone’s book, and here’s hoping there are still more to come.