Hands-on discovery · Est. 1795★★★★★ 150 reviews

Muddy hands, real science. The gift they'll remember you by.

£13.99£18.99 Save 26%

or 4 payments of £3.49 with Klarna

🛡️ 30-day full refund, no questions. Fewer than 30 returns from 23,000+ orders.

Express · order today for next-day delivery

Standard · 2-3 working days

Dig real crystals
No screens
Ages 3,7
Under 1 hour setup
Gift-wrapped
Ships 2,3 days
30-day returns
Klarna available

Delivery in 2-3 working days · 30-day returns · Est. 1795

as seen in

Real talk

The gift that bridges the distance

You're not there every weekend. But a gift that teaches them something real, gets their hands dirty, and sparks curiosity? That's the one they talk about. Our Gem Dig Kit is exactly what a distant grandparent gives: something they'll spend an hour on, learn from, and think of you every time they look at their collection.

When they text you a photo of their first crystal, you'll know you chose right.

Joe Jaques, Jaques of London

What's in the box

Everything arrives ready to dig

No assembly. No missing pieces. Just open, read the guide, and start excavating.

Gem Dig Kit in branded packaging with excavation tools

In the box

The dig block

A solid block of plaster and mineral crystals. Your job: carefully excavate to release each gem without damage. Takes 45 minutes to an hour of focused play.

✓ Real crystals embedded inside
✓ Includes small chisel and brush
✓ Instructions printed on the box

Close-up of excavation tools and revealed crystals

Play style

Precision over speed

The small tools teach patience and control. Tap too hard, you risk the crystal. This is archaeology, not demolition. Real geologists work the same way.

✓ Teaches hand-eye coordination
✓ Builds focus and problem-solving
✓ No batteries, no noise, no screen

Finished collection of excavated crystals displayed

In the box

A collection to keep

Every crystal they unearth becomes part of their own mineral collection. Display pouch included. Teach them the names: quartz, amethyst, calcite. It's a springboard for real geology.

✓ Keeps them engaged for weeks
✓ Natural curiosity about rocks and minerals
✓ Shareable: they'll show everyone

For children aged 3,7. Order by 2pm, arrives within 2,3 business days.

Was £18.99

Crystal Set - Gemstone Digging: £13.99

While they play

What they're quietly learning

Looks like play. Works like a lesson.

🔬

Real geology

Crystals are named and real. Amethyst, quartz, calcite. They're learning mineral science by touching it, not watching it.

🎯

Precision and patience

One wrong tap ruins the prize. That teaches focus and careful thinking in a way no app can.

🏛️

How archaeologists work

Controlled excavation, not brute force. Mirrors real fieldwork, real discovery. Turns play into learning.

📚

Ownership of discovery

They found these. They own them. That sense of earning something stays with them.

What families say about Jaques of London

What grandparents and parents say

★★★★★

"Excellent quality wood toys, so well made, no sharp edges, all lovely & smooth, very colourful & plenty of choice. Very reasonably priced & so beautifully wrapped you don't want to open them. Highly recommend this company."

Lynda Evans✓ Google review

★★★★★

"Fast delivery, excellent products, extremely good quality and long lasting. My granddaughter loves the toys from here. Good age ranges covered."

Danella Jones✓ Google review

★★★★★

"These toys tick all the boxes, educational, colourful, fun, well made and great service. I just keep buying more and more."

Irene Johnstone✓ Google review

★★★★★

"We love our toys from Jaques of London. The quality is excellent and they're the perfect size for little hands to hold and play with easily. Beautifully made, sturdy wooden toys that will last for years. Highly recommend!"

Tegan✓ Google review

★★★★★

"Harrods grade gifting for a very reasonable price. Not the usual tat from China. Had several hand picked orders fron Jaques, nice to know its a UK business with old school quality."

John A✓ Google review

★★★★★

"I am a real fan of this company. If only I had come across them years ago when my boys were little. It's my go to for beautiful, good quality toys for my granddaughter now and any gift I need to buy. They arrived quickly, prices are reasonable and the special touch is they are beautifully packaged too. I love the heritage of this business!"

Sarah Lardner✓ Google review

★★★★★ 4.8/5 rated by families across Google and Trustpilot: real reviews, quoted word for word

Get ready for life

Why real play matters

Real brain growth comes from real play.

45 mins

Unboxing to first crystal

Open the kit, read the single-page guide, pick up the chisel. The first crystal comes loose within 10 minutes. Instant reward, then deeper play.

→

1 hour

Deep focus begins

They settle in. Tap, brush, check. The block is dense enough that it takes real work. No rushing. No boredom.

→

Weekly

They show you their finds

A text, a video call, a photo on the fridge. You're part of their geology hobby now.

Why this matters right now

231 years Making toys that teach, not distract Est. 1795. We've been building hands-on gifts for children longer than most families have been in the UK. That stays in every product.

100+ million Toys sold across all our collections Parents and grandparents choose Jaques because they work, last, and teach something real. That track record matters when you're spending thoughtfully.

23,000+ Orders this year alone Grandparents, birthday buyers, and parents who want their child off the tablet. This kit is hitting something real.

230 yrs of making things worth keeping Jaques of London has been crafting games and toys since 1795. This one is built to be handed down, not thrown out.

We really are different

Why this kit beats the plastic version at the supermarket

	Jaques Crystal Set - Gemstone Digging	Cheap Alternatives
Real crystals inside	✅	❌ Plastic replicas
No batteries or noise	✅	❌ Beeps and lights
Built to last years, passed on	✅	⚠️ Breaks after one use
Teaches actual geology	✅	❌ Just busy-work
Hand tools, precision learning	✅	⚠️ Cheap plastic tools
30-day returns, 60-day warranty	✅	❌ No guarantee
Ribbon-tied gift packaging	✅	❌ Bland box

Jaques

✅ Real crystals
✅ Screen-free
✅ Lasts years
✅ Real geology
✅ Precision tools
✅ Full guarantee
✅ Gift-ready

Cheap alternatives

❌ Plastic only
❌ Beeps loudly
⚠️ Breaks easily
❌ No learning
⚠️ Poor quality
❌ No returns
❌ Plain box

For children aged 3,7. Order by 2pm, arrives within 2,3 business days.

Was £18.99

Crystal Set - Gemstone Digging: £13.99

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not right? Return it within 30 days. Full refund, no questions.

Questions & answers

Questions from grandparents like you

How do I know this is right for their age?

This kit is designed for ages 3,7, but the real range is 4,8. If they can hold a small brush and follow simple instructions, they're ready. A 3-year-old can start with help. A 7-year-old will dig deeper and actually learn the crystal names. Buying for a 6th birthday? This is the one. No prep needed, no reading skills required.

What if they finish in 20 minutes and get bored?

They won't. The block is dense. A typical session is 45 minutes to an hour. If they're really into it, some children return to it over days, working slowly. But if they're done, that's fine too: it's one focused hour of learning, not a commitment. That's worth it.

Will it arrive in time for their birthday?

If you order by 2pm today, it ships within 2,3 business days. Most arrive mid-week. If the birthday is this weekend, contact us before you buy and we'll advise. It arrives gift-wrapped in our signature ribbon packaging, ready to hand over.

What if they break it or don't like it?

30-day returns, no questions. If something arrives damaged, we replace it free. If they decide it's not for them, send it back within 30 days for a full refund. We also offer a 60-day warranty on the tools and materials. Not the usual tat from China, John A said it best.

How much does it cost?

The Crystal Set - Gemstone Digging is £13.99 today (down from £18.99). Klarna is available at checkout if you prefer to spread the cost.

What's your returns policy?

30 days, full refund, no conditions. Return it for any reason and we refund in full. We've been standing behind what we make since 1795.

For children aged 3,7. Order by 2pm, arrives within 2,3 business days.

Was £18.99

Crystal Set - Gemstone Digging: £13.99

Our story

Making toys worth keeping since 1795.

Jaques of London was founded in 1795. We invented croquet, table tennis, and the Staunton chess set. For 230 years, we've been making things that pull children away from passive entertainment and into active, curious, hands-on play.

We make this kit because the best gift a grandparent can give isn't something that plugs in. It's something that takes time, teaches something real, and gives them a reason to think of you while they're doing it. Our Gem Dig Kit sits at the intersection: genuinely educational (real crystals, real geology), genuinely engaging (hands-on, no screens, actual challenge), and genuinely gift-ready (arrives wrapped, no assembly). We've been making toys for 231 years. This one carries that same belief: if a child's hands are busy learning, their mind is growing. That's what matters.

Toys and games that leave something behind: a skill, a memory, a piece of play that gets passed on.
Joe, Jaques of London

Ready when you are