The following list of anniversary numbers and materials is far too often just associated with wedding anniversaries. However, they apply equally to any anniversary, from a person's birthday to the age of a company. Thus, ruby jewellery is now often given to a woman on her 40th birthday and some firms give their employees a small silver gift after 25 years of service.

Only some of the materials listed have obvious connection with a jewellers shop, but with imagination suitable gifts could be found in almost any category - some examples are given below.

1) Paper

Perhaps a gift voucher, or a piece of jewellery that comes with a paper guarantee or certificate such as a watch or diamond.

2) Cotton

Not an easy one; how about a pair of cotton silver-cleaning mitts, and a piece of silver to go with it?

3) Leather

Many jewellers' shops sell leather goods such as jewellery boxes or hip flasks.

4) Fruit

A silver or crystal fruit bowl, or servers or spoons. Perhaps a crystal ornament shaped like a piece of fruit, or a pendant or brooch in a fruit shape.

5) Wood

Many clocks have wooden cases. Some shops have other wooden items in stock such as jewellery boxes or wine coasters.

6) Confectionery

Perhaps a silver sweet dish or a sugar caster, bowl or tongs.

7) Copper

Seldom used alone, but can be found as the copper alloy brass, or as a component in the alloy of rose gold. Perhaps a brass cased clock or rose-gold accented jewellery or watches.

8) Bronze

An alloy of copper and tin. Some jewellers stock small bronze ornaments but make sure you are buying a cast metal item, not a resin replica.

9) Pottery

Many shops stock china and porcelain gift items like figureines or tableware.

10) Tin/Pewter

Pewter gift items such as tankards, flasks or animal models are a good idea.

11) Steel

Have a look at your jewellers' ranges of stainless steel jewellery or watches.

12) Silk

Some shops will stock silk-covered gift items, but don't forget that a fine diamond ring can be put in a silk-covered ring case.

13) Coral/Jade

Rings or earrings set with either, or perhaps beads.

14) Ivory

Ivory was the traditional gift for this year but its trade is now restricted by international treaty. A watch with an ivory-colour dial could be an alternative; or how about a pendant or brooch in the shape of an elephant with tusks?

15) Crystal

Most jewellers stock a range of lead crystal glassware.

20) China

See 9th Anniversary.

25) Silver

Jewellery, watches, picture frames, ornaments and antiques are just a few possibilites.

30) Pearl

A simple pair of pearl earrings, or the classic string of pearls as a necklace or bracelet.

35) Platinum

The most precious of precious metals, jewellers stock a wide range of platinum jewellery.

40) Ruby

A nice ring or pendant for the ladies, and for the gents you could have ruby set cufflinks or a tie-pin; or how about a mechanical watch, which uses synthetic rubies in the movement?

45) Sapphire

It doesn't have to be blue; sapphies come in a rainbow of colours so you have a huge range to choose from.

50) Gold

The quintessential precious metal, with a huge choice of earrings, pendants, brooches, rings, necklaces and watches to name just a few.

55) Emerald

Don't like emeralds? How about an 'emerald-cut' gemstone - perhaps an emerald-cut diamond, a few years ahead of your next big anniversary?

60) Diamond

There is a huge choice of styles and shapes, and don't forget that there are diamond set-watches if jewellery isn't your thing.