Gemmology Rocks’ gemstone advent calendar 2026 costs £249 for 24 reclaimed stones and lessons

Gemmology Rocks is back with its gemstone advent calendar for a fifth Christmas, and this one swaps chocolate for real stones. Behind each of the 24 doors is a reclaimed or pre-owned gemstone in its own collector box, and every day comes with an online lesson about that stone. On 6 November 2026 the official product page shows it in stock at £249, now that the £199 introductory price has ended.

A gemstone a day, with a short course to match

Gemmology Rocks is a gemmology education business that runs courses and events and sells loose stones. Its calendar works like a mini course: you open a door, find a gem in a small display pot, then read about it on the brand’s interactive online calendar. The brand pitches it at gem lovers, people starting out, and jewellery businesses that want to train their staff.

The stones are all reclaimed, so none was mined for the calendar. Gemmology Rocks is upfront that they “might not all be totally perfect”, but argues that you are likely to get a better colour or clarity stone than a new one at the same price. The collector pots are plastic but reusable, and the cardboard is recyclable and largely made from recycled material, according to the brand.

What is inside the Gemmology Rocks advent calendar 2026?

According to the brand, you get:

• 24 reclaimed or pre-owned gemstones, one behind each door.
• 24 individual collector boxes to display them.
• An online course of 24 lessons, one for each stone.

Source: Gemmology Rocks (product page, checked on 6 November 2026).

The brand does not reveal which stones are inside, which keeps the surprise for each day. It also does not give a total value for the gems.

Price and delivery dates

The calendar opened for pre-orders in October at an introductory £199, rising to £249 from 1 November 2026, with shipping from 12 November, as Jewellery Focus reported on 23 October. The product page now shows £249 with no discount, which works out at about £10.38 a stone, lesson included.

If you want it for 1 December, the brand gives these last order dates for guaranteed delivery, as long as the carrier keeps its promise:

• UK: 27 November.
• Rest of Europe: 24 November.
• US and Canada: 21 November.
• Rest of the world: 17 November.

You can still order later, but Gemmology Rocks warns it might not arrive by 1 December.

What we think

This is one of the most original calendars of the year, and it is easy to see why the 2025 edition sold out, according to Jewellery Focus. Real stones, a reason to learn something every day and a collection you keep afterwards make it a thoughtful gift for a crystal fan, a teenager who loves rocks or anyone who works in jewellery.

The catch is that you are buying blind. With no list of stones and no stated value, £249 is a leap of faith, and reclaimed gems can have small flaws. If you mainly want something to wear, a jewellery calendar will suit you better: our guide to jewellery advent calendars covers the options. We have not tested this calendar ourselves. For more ideas, see our pick of the best beauty advent calendars in the UK.

Price and availability: the essentials

• Product: Gemmology Rocks Gemstone Advent Calendar 2026.
• Price: £249 on 6 November 2026 (the £199 introductory price ended on 1 November).
• Contents: 24 reclaimed gemstones, 24 collector boxes, 24 online lessons.
• Cost per stone: about £10.38.
• Availability on 6 November 2026: in stock.
• Last UK order date for delivery by 1 December: 27 November.

Want a gem a day? Order the Gemstone Advent Calendar from Gemmology Rocks, or browse our pick of lifestyle subscription boxes.