And if you think spoiling a geologist is hard, then I’ve got your back. In this post I gather diverse gift ideas, the classics of course and some really unique treasures to get to your favorite geologist (who can be yourself of course). You’ll find ideas whatever your budget is, even free gifts. Let’s get started, but be warned, you’ll add many things on your wish list!
To start, the essentials
Octahedral single crystal of fluorite from the Barre mine, Puy-de-Dôme, France. Sophie Graul (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)
A notebook, we never have enough! You can even sign it and write a nice encouraging word, which will be very much appreciated in a down moment. To choose it, look at the notebook that the person already has. Check the format, the background (lignes, dots, small panes, blank), the thickness, hard or soft cover. If you’re too unsure, here is what I would suggest: an A5 doted notebook with hardcover, paper at least 80g/m². For example a Leuchtturm Notebook Classic. If the person is regularly going to the field, especially in difficult whether, you can even consider getting a waterproof notebook and pen.
A hand lens, possibly custom engraved. What a chic way to meticulously look at rocks or fossils in the field!
Rocks and fossils of course (even though it’s a tiny bit cliché), but let’s be honest, I hardly know anybody who doesn’t marvel at such beauty of nature. Even better if it’s a specimen that you collected yourself, then it really tells a special story. Just be sure to be prepared to all the questions you’ll be asked about where it comes from, how old it is, how it was formed…
Classics that works
Credits: Naturhistorisches Museum Wien – Hall 5 Meteoritensall
An entrance ticket to a natural history museum (or any museum with rocks/fossils). Even better, plan the visit together and let your favorite geologist tell you everything about this mineral or how this amazing rock got deformed. You’ll surely learn many things at the same occasion. Vienna history museum has an impressive collection, why not going together at the next EGU GA?
Rock display case. If you know that your person has a nice collection of specimen then a rock display is your go-to gift. Let’s be honest, we usually don’t take the time to display our nice sample, especially as we regularly move places.
If you like to build things, you can even gift a voucher and make a custom rock display with LED lights.
Maps. Classic and always appreciated. They make a beautiful office decoration, and are useful to contextualize the places in discussions. Maps printed in 3 dimensions, showing the topography are even better for mountainous areas.
For example, the vintage Cavallini wrap adds a nice touch to your walls and introduces a little bit of geology with subtilty.
Creative handmade gifts
Geodes crochet pattern – Credits: Megan Lapp
And if you want to support a geologist, the amazing Phoebe Sleath announced her 2026 calendar. (see also her interview in the GD blog)
Level 2: A homemade magnetic frame, at custom dimensions. It’s literally so cheap and easy to make. It would be a shame to keep our geologic map in the bottom of a drawer forever. See tutorial
Level 3: For the knitters around here. A dinosaur themed cowl or hat. The Pacific knit colorwork charts are grid of drawings that can be integrated in any pattern and make a great gift! Alternatively the Camping expansion deck is nice for hikers and the Sci-Fi deck will make any planetologist laugh.
Level 3 bis: I cannot forget to share this gorgeous Geode crochet pattern. Look at these details!
Geology + art = treasures
Rock series #5 – Moorland pools – aerial moorland
Credits: Victoria Rose Richards
Printed clothing. Agate and Ayre is a clothing Scottish inspired by geology. They have headband, scarfs, cushion cover and more, printed with thin section photographs of rocks.
Art print from Dr. Lucia Perez Diaz. She’s selling various art print on her shop, all signed and available in different format.
Aerial embroidery. This is so unique that it gets hard to describe. Simply check the work of this artist. She also open commissions from time to time, in very limited amount. But look at these details!
Jewelry. A thin section lab in Italy creates jewels (necklaces and earrings) that includes a rock thin section of your choice or from their collection. What a nice present.
For our proud geologists: dinosaurs, trilobites pins and stickers colored with your favorite LGBTQIA+ flag.
For sassy geologists and the young generation
“How the Earth works: Discover how plate tectonics shapes our planet” by Dr. Lucia Perez Diaz (DK Books)
QUARTETnary game, a board game made by geologist to discover the geological timescale. Players collect the geological eons, eras, and periods and try to complete their timescale.
Children book “How the Earth works: Discover how plate tectonics shapes our planet”, by Dr. Lucia Perez Diaz. (DK Books) Available in many countries.
A coloring book made with Steven Dutch geology coloring pages. What a nice way to introduce outcrops reading. Many people find coloring relaxing, so this is an all ages gift, possibly an activity to share between parents and kids.
For french speaker/learners this scientific coloring book, with 200 schemes to complete, color and more, a great gift for students as well.
For the most sassy among us, a pet rock. Why? Because why not.
My personal favorite, because time with people makes unforgettable memories
You can prepare a voucher stating you’ll take the person to a hike together to an interesting geologic place you know (tease it a bit ^^). You can take time to look at the outcrops, show them hints of the reconstitution of the paleoenvironments. This is also a good occasion to discover a geologic site close to you. Geology is often much closer than we think. Make sure to take into account the ability and level of the person. The goal is to spend a nice time, not to challenge ones body. There is beautiful geology accessible with little to no hike, so make sure to adapt the program. Even better: Prepare a yummy lunch box!
Well, I think now you know what to gift to your special geologists. Don’t hesitate to comment your favorite ideas below! We wish you all the best for this end of the year, we hope you’ll have a good time surrounded by people you love. Take care!
Fitzfulke
Probably not for late shoppers, but you might get lucky: historical specimen labels. Here’s one list:
https://mineralogicalrecord.com/new-biographies-biographical-and-label-archive/label-and-donor-sources/
sometimes with specimen, sometimes alone. A moment from the life of Washington A. Roebling, perhaps.
That embroidery, and her other art, are marvelous! Thanks for the introduction. Happy holidays.