• Giving a tin-based gift may require some imagination.tin image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
  
  Choosing a 10th anniversary gift can be particularly stressful as it marks the most significant milestone for a couple since their wedding. There are a variety of gift materials that can be used for the anniversary. The traditional option is tin, with aluminum often seen as an acceptable substitute. The traditional gemstone of the anniversary is the black onyx. There are also some people who consider diamond jewelry a suitable modern alternative.
  
  

Tin

• Tin is the traditional material for 10th anniversary gifts. As it is hardly a fashionable material in the 21st century, it can be difficult to think of tin gifts that are attractive. One possibility is to purchase a tin picture frame, which can be used for a valuable photograph such as wedding photo to make the gift more meaningful. Another alternative is to take advantage of the relatively low price of tin and commission a custom-made piece of jewelry; this can make the gift personal and show off good taste!
  
  

Aluminum

• With tin somewhat outdated, aluminum can often make an acceptable replacement material for 10th anniversary gifts. The simplest way to buy an aluminum gift is to choose household objects such as cookware--but this may not feel romantic enough. An alternative is to choose products that contain some aluminum in them, such as electrical gifts including the iPad. Another option is to go for experience gifts that involve aluminum in some way, such as a plane flight or train ride.
  
  

Modern Alternatives

• While less established, diamond jewelry is often listed as a modern alternative to the traditional 10th anniversary gifts. Given the cost, this is more likely to be a gift bought by one spouse for another than by friends or relatives. While most spouses will appreciate any diamond jewelry, the 10th anniversary is an ideal time to give an eternity ring. While such a ring can theoretically be a present at any time, it has become used in modern times as a way for a married couple to "replace" engagement and wedding rings later on in the marriage. Because of this, some spouses will choose an eternity ring in a similar style, metal and design to the engagement and wedding rings.
  
  

Black Onyx

• Black onyx is the traditional gemstone for the 10th anniversary, and it represents determination, which certainly makes for an appropriate celebration of 10 years of marriage! While the stone is available in a wide variety of jewelry styles, the black color means it may not be seen as attractive as either a large stone such as a pendant and may be too plain for an intricate item such as stud earrings. One option that avoids these two extremes is to use black onyx as the main stone in a pair of cuff links.