The Best Milestone Rings for Life’s Biggest Moments | GLDN

Written by GLDN Team — March 28, 2025

What is a milestone ring?

A milestone ring is just what it sounds like: a ring that celebrates a life milestone! Think of it as a souvenir from a special time in your life. The best milestone rings should be symbolic and indicative of a certain milestone, yes, but also neutral and timeless enough to wear years and decades past the moment it marked. We love jewelry that tells a story…yet still feels elegant enough to wear day in and day out.

Most milestone rings fall under the following categories:

No matter which ring you’re looking to add to your collection or gift to a loved one, this quick guide will walk you through our top three choices for each milestone—with the symbolism and meaning behind every single ring.

How to choose the perfect milestone ring

Our biggest tip: tailor the ring and its meaning to the special occasion you’re celebrating! Graduating soon? Choose a ring that celebrates your strengths, personal journey or new career. Buying your partner a promise ring? Opt for a piece that symbolizes commitment, love or the sentiment of forever. (You get the gist.)

Ahead: our favorite milestone rings for special occasions, in both affordable options (under $100!) and fine jewelry favorites when you’re ready to splurge.

Promise rings: the cutest ways to commit

In the timeline of relationship rings, the promise ring typically predates the engagement ring. For that reason, you don’t necessarily have to spring for a diamond or expensive gemstone just yet…but instead opt for something meaningful, personal and wearable that doesn’t break the bank (but totally looks like it does).

Our favorite affordable promise rings

Eternal Knot Dainty Ring: an homage to your journey together so far—and a sweet way to pledge you’ll be there for them forever.
Grand Baguette Ring: a striking baguette ring that’ll give any engagement ring a run for its money. Available in three shades, too.
Eclipse White Sapphire Ring: an organic, asymmetrical ring sparkled with white sapphires (one of the most resilient gemstones, second to the diamond)!

Anniversary rings: a cheers to the years

Whether it’s your first anniversary or your 50th, your partner deserves a ring that says “I LOVE YOU” in all caps. If you’re already married (and have a wedding band or engagement ring you wear 24/7), these are the ideal rings to complement your main piece without stealing the show.

Our favorite anniversary rings

Gaia Diamond Trilogy Ring: a celebration of your unique saga, set with three conflict-free diamonds. Especially perfect for a 3rd anniversary or 30th anniversary.
Starscape Diamond Ring: a stackable ring set with genuine diamonds for some everyday shimmer.
Personalized Meuse Band: a ring to customize with your wedding date, special coordinates, initials or word that tells your love story. Its streamlined silhouette makes it a great unisex option, too.

Rings for parents: celebrating every child

Of all the milestones, this may be the most precious. 🥹 Rings are our personal favorite way to celebrate a new child, because they’re so stackable and collectable! Whether this is your first baby or you’re a seasoned mom, filling your collection with timeless rings that represent your nearest and dearest is something you’ll never regret.

Our favorite rings to represent new children

Aura Birthstone Stacking Ring: a subtle birthstone ring for every month, made to stack and look harmonious together.
Micro Signet Ring: a modern, dainty take on a signet ring, ready to personalize with your baby’s first initial.
Memoire Ring: a wrap ring with room for two lines of text. Our favorite idea: one side for your baby’s name, one side for their birthdate!

Graduation rings: the ultimate self-love gifts

Yeah, you did that thing. While we also champion treating yourself just because, there’s literally no better excuse to treat yourself to a piece of jewelry than accomplishing a major life goal. Maybe you graduated recently, landed your dream job, moved across the country or learned how to show up for yourself and lean into self-love for the first time in your life. Whatever the goal is, we have a ring to match.

Our favorite rings to celebrate a personal achievement

Snake Meuse Band: the ultimate symbol of transformation and strength.
Cosmic Intention Ring: a ring that celebrates your intentionality and hard work…while reminding you every day that you are magic.
Rhone Band: a subtle ring to personalize with a graduation date or personal mantra. Think of it as a modern class ring.

Wedding bands: telling your unique love story

While we also love simple, streamlined wedding bands (and have a ton of them in our wedding band collection!), there’s just something about a wedding band that stands out from the crowd. Think florals, gemstones and personalized details that make it 100% yours. No two relationships are alike—and no two rings should be, either.

Our favorite unique wedding bands

My Garden Meuse Band: customize with your and your spouse’s birth flowers, your wedding flowers or flowers that represent your love story. This ring holds up to 7!
Grande Band: our biggest, boldest wedding band ready to personalize with a last name, date or initial.
Celestial Meuse Band: a streamlined ring hand-stamped with suns, moons and stars—an enchanting reminder of a love that stretches across galaxies.

Where to find the perfect milestone ring

Spoiler: here at GLDN! Whether this milestone ring is a gift for a loved one, a symbol of a relationship or a self-love gift to yourself, there’s no reason to skimp on quality and sentimental value. All of our rings are made with 90% recycled metals, lab-grown and conflict-free gemstones and—in most cases—heirloom-quality solid gold options. Plus, every ring arrives in our signature gift-ready box (including a handwritten note for your recipient)!

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