Various materials and precious metals or gems have over the years been assigned to anniversaries – paper for the 1st up to diamonds for both the 60th and 75th. I have no idea who established this custom, but whoever it was must have realized that once one has been married either 60 or 75 years, even though a diamond may be forever, they don’t have too many forevers to enjoy and the heirs will soon be grabbing those family jewels.
I have not seen a comparable tradition for birthdays other than assigning precious or semi-precious gems as birthstones to correspond with the month of one’s birth. In the case of April the diamond is generally listed as that month’s birthstone though opal and sapphire have also appeared on some lists.
So today on Alice’s 134th birthday, let’s add a diamond to the birthday feather for her birthday hat and celebrate with a spot of tea.
