60th Wedding Anniversary Gifts: A Diamond Wedding Buying Guide

The 60th wedding anniversary is the diamond wedding, and diamond is both the traditional and the modern theme. This buying guide brings together 60th wedding anniversary gifts that suit a couple who have shared six decades, from family keepsakes to presents they can enjoy together, with prices, practical advice and ideas for the day itself.

The best 60th wedding anniversary gifts

Every piece below is handmade in our Cornwall workshop and can be found on our diamond wedding anniversary gifts page. Prices are correct at the time of writing; personalised items take a few extra days, so leave a little time before the date.

From the family: keepsakes of sixty years together

By the time a couple reach their diamond wedding there may be children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to count. That is why family pieces are the most-chosen diamond wedding presents. The personalised family tree wall hanging and the personalised family wall plaque can carry every name in the family, and the Our Little Family piece lets you choose the figures yourself. For something the whole family can contribute to, the Memories We Made Together scrapbook is a lovely way to gather sixty years of photographs, tickets and notes in one place.

For the couple to share

Gifts for the couple work best when they sit somewhere they will see every day. The I Love You This Much figure is our larger statement piece, made to order, while the handmade metal couple figurine is a smaller, affordable choice that suits a windowsill or bedside table. The You Are My Rock paperweight is a quieter gift with a message that says everything about a sixty-year marriage.

From one to the other

If you are the one who has been married for sixty years, a personal piece of jewellery or a flower that will never wilt says more than a card. The I Love You To The Moon And Back necklace and the Forever/Love heart necklace are both handmade pendants, and the solid cast metal rose is an everlasting alternative to the traditional bouquet.

Diamond wedding gifts: traditional and modern

Most UK lists give diamond as both the traditional and the modern 60th anniversary gift, so there is no separate modern material to worry about. Search for the 60th anniversary gift traditional and modern and you will find the same answer either way: it is diamond. Our full wedding anniversary gift list sets out the traditional and modern gift for every year if you want to compare.

The word itself owes a lot to Queen Victoria. Her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 marked sixty years on the throne, and "diamond" became the accepted name for sixty years of anything, marriages included. Many guides now also list a 75th diamond anniversary, but in the UK the 60th is the one most families call the diamond wedding.

Real diamonds or the diamond theme?

You do not need to buy a diamond to give a diamond wedding gift. A real stone is a wonderful choice if one of the couple is buying for the other, but family and friends usually honour the theme in other ways: a clear crystal or silver-toned keepsake, white flowers, a cake decorated with sparkle, or a personalised piece wrapped in white and silver. If you do buy diamond jewellery, ask the retailer for a grading certificate and check the metal's hallmark, which every UK jeweller should be able to show you.

Diamond wedding gifts for parents and grandparents

Most 60th anniversary gifts are bought by the couple's children and grandchildren, often together. Three things tend to work well. First, put the family at the centre: a family tree or plaque with every generation named is something they will look at every day. Second, think about memories rather than things; a scrapbook, a framed wedding photograph or a recorded family message is often treasured most. Third, keep comfort in mind: many couples in their eighties prefer a small family lunch at home to a big party, so the gift can travel to them rather than the other way round. Our guide to marking the milestone anniversaries has more ideas for the day.

A card from the King

In the UK, couples celebrating their diamond wedding can receive a message of congratulations from the King, and again for their 65th, 70th and every anniversary after that. The message is requested through the Royal Household's Anniversaries Office rather than sent automatically, so a family member usually applies a few weeks before the date with proof of the marriage. Check the current guidance on the Royal Household's website before you apply. It makes a wonderful surprise to open alongside the family's own gifts.

Find the perfect diamond wedding gift

Browse our full range of 60th wedding anniversary gifts, all handmade in Cornwall with UK delivery in one to three days. If you are buying for an earlier milestone, our golden wedding anniversary gift guide covers the 50th and our guide to the 45th sapphire anniversary covers forty-five years. For more inspiration across every year, see our anniversary gift ideas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the traditional gift for 60 years of marriage?

Diamond. The 60th is the diamond wedding anniversary, and UK lists give diamond as both the traditional and the modern theme. A real diamond is not required: a sparkling keepsake, a personalised family piece or a handmade gift presented with a diamond-themed card all honour the occasion.

What symbol is 60 years of marriage?

The diamond, chosen because it is the hardest natural material and practically indestructible, which suits a marriage that has lasted six decades. The name took hold after Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, which made "diamond" the accepted word for sixty years.

What do you buy a couple for their diamond wedding anniversary?

Most couples married for sixty years have everything they need, so the best diamond wedding gifts are about family and memory: a personalised family tree or plaque, a scrapbook the grandchildren help fill, or a handmade figure for the mantelpiece. Shared keepsakes usually mean more than anything practical.

What is the flower for a 60th wedding anniversary?

There is no single agreed flower for the diamond wedding. White flowers are the most popular choice because they echo the clear sparkle of a diamond, so white roses, lilies or orchids work well for a table display, a bouquet or a party centrepiece.

How much should you spend on a 60th wedding anniversary gift?

There is no rule. Family members often club together for one larger gift, while individual guests tend to spend £20 to £50 on something personal. Our handmade diamond wedding gifts start from £18.39, and a personalised family piece in the £20 to £30 range is a popular choice.