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The best news is that lab-created rubies are substantially more affordable than good quality natural rubies. Personally, I see no problem with lab-created rubies if they are priced correctly, as they're made of genuine ruby ingredients. I'd certainly choose Chatham rubies for 40th anniversary gifts over lower quality natural rubies at the same price!
Simulated rubies, or simulants are imitations, usually made of cubic zirconia or other materials and are easily identified by a jeweler. (more info). We recommend that you deal with a reputable jeweler and verify the chemical composition of any gem you purchase. Now, here's an imitation ruby that makes a bold statement - and an entertaining forty year anniversary gift.
Most gifts with rubies consist of men's and women's jewelry. If you wish to give ruby jewelry as 40th anniversary gifts, matching or companion jewelry such as ruby rings, or a ruby tie tac/cufflinks for him and ruby earrings of a similar design for her, will honor the shared nature of a wedding anniversary.
Except for jewelry, 40th anniversary gifts in ruby are tough to find, especially gifts to enjoy together. We found rubies (or imitation rubies) decorating items like:
- folding knives (especially ruby-inlay thumb studs)
- wooden flutes
- guitar headstocks
- pool cues
- swords and daggers
- tiaras and scepters (imitation, for proms and pageants)
- chalices and the like, in museums (not for sale)
- not much else.
So, taking a different approach for 40th anniversary gifts, let's focus on ruby as a color - as in this selection of ruby glassware from Royal Doulton, or this ruby red lead crystal doves figurine. For twice as much ruby color, here are ruby roses in a ruby vase.
Gift baskets of ruby red grapefruit or ruby red apples are healthful 40th anniversary gifts, and this Fine Ruby Port looks pretty tasty, too. For a couple who likes to garden, Ruby Glow Thyme (a fragrant ground cover) or a "Ruby Ruby" rose will commemorate their 40th anniversary for years to come.
Household accents are well-chosen 40th anniversary gifts. A trio of stemmed ruby candle holders looks inviting on a window sill. This handsome ruby mallard is quite a bit more affordable than the doves mentioned above. And a ruby butterfly or a sharp-looking ruby medallion mirror will brighten up an entry wall.
For something a bit different, think of 40th anniversary gifts with "Ruby" in their names. For example, a beautiful framed art print of ruby-throated hummingbirds (and a hummingbird feeder or a stained glass hummingbird suncatcher) are on theme, and a hummingbird quilt just might become a family heirloom.
Don't forget "ruby" destination gifts - a meal at Ruby Tuesday's, or a visit to a ruby mine in North Carolina, Australia or south Asia, or a week's getaway at the Ruby Golf Course in the Bahamas!
One final thought: By now, your anniversary couple is getting closer to retirement age, and they may be thinking about downsizing. If so, try to avoid gifts that will add clutter to their lives. Perhaps the most well-chosen gift ideas would be consumables, or an experience or destination gift.
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