How to Polish Rocks at Home with a Rock Tumbler

Are you looking for a new hobby that's both fun and rewarding?

Look no further than rock tumbling! With just a few supplies and a little bit of patience, you can take rough, unpolished rocks and turn them into beautiful gemstones that you'll be proud to display.

In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to get started, including selecting the right equipment, choosing the best rocks to tumble, and step-by-step instructions for the tumbling process.

By the end of this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning collection of polished rocks that will impress your friends and family. Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery with rock tumbling!

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Selecting the Right Equipment and Supplies:

Before you get started with rock tumbling, it's important to select the right equipment and supplies for the job.

The type of tumbler you choose will depend on the number of rocks you want to polish at a time, and how often you plan to use it.

Rotary tumblers are a good option for beginners, they are affordable and easy to use. Look for a tumbler machine with a rubber rock tumbler barrel to reduce noise and vibration.

A vibratory tumbler is also a great option but is usually more expensive, although some say they are faster.

I chose this 3LB Rotary Tumbler Kit from VIYUKI. You can find it on Amazon.

You'll also need tumbling grit, which comes in various stages of coarseness. It's important to use the right grit for each stage of the tumbling process.

Be sure to read the manufacturer's instruction manuals carefully to ensure you're using the right amount of grit and polish for your machine and rocks.

I will be using the Dan & Darci Rock Tumbler Kit, which can also be found on Amazon.

Choosing the Best Rocks to Tumble:

The first step is one of the most crucial aspects of rock tumbling, and that is selecting the right rocks to polish. Not all rocks are created equal, and not all of them are suitable for tumbling.

The best rocks to use for rotary tumbling are harder rocks that are durable, and free from cracks and fissures.

Some popular types of rocks include agate, jasper, quartz, and obsidian. These rocks are readily available and come in a variety of colors and patterns, making them ideal for creating beautiful polished stones.

Avoid using soft rocks, such as limestone or sandstone, as they will break down during the tumbling process.

It's also important to consider the size of your rocks. Small rocks are ideal for beginners, as they require less time and effort to polish.

When rock hunting, make sure to inspect your rocks carefully for any cracks or flaws.

For best results, choose rocks that are relatively smooth and free from any visible cracks, and stay away from rocks with rough or sharp edges. This will reduce the likelihood of breakage during tumbling, allowing you to achieve the desired outcome.

You will also want a mixture of different-sized rocks that all have about the same hardness.

I selected my rocks from a lake's edge we were camping near last summer. I am so excited to see how they look all polished up!

Preparing Your Rocks for Tumbling:

Before you start tumbling, it's important to clean your rocks thoroughly. I used an old toothbrush and soapy water to remove any dirt or debris from the surface of the rocks.

This will help to ensure that the grit and other polishing materials adhere evenly to the surface of the rocks during the tumbling process.

After cleaning, inspect the rocks once again to make sure they are free from any cracks, scratches, or other imperfections.

If you notice any, it's best to set those rocks aside and choose new ones.

By taking the time to carefully choose and prepare your rocks for tumbling, you increase the likelihood of a successful and enjoyable polishing experience.

Step 1 - Course:

With your rocks selected and cleaned, it's time to begin the tumbling process.

First, add your cleaned rocks to the tumbler, filling it about ½ to ⅔ of the way full. Do not overload it. If the barrel is too full the rocks won't move enough to become polished.

To know exactly how many rocks I was adding, I used a scale. Placed the empty barrel on top and reset it to zero.

Then I added rocks until they measured just under 2 pounds.

To the barrel, add the coarsest grit, or Grit #1, at a rate of 2 tablespoons per pound of rock.

Since I have nearly two pounds of rock, I used 4 tablespoons of coarse grit.

Add roughly 1 tablespoon of plastic filler pellets to cushion the rocks.

Add enough water to cover the rocks, and then seal the tumbler.

To make sure it is sealed properly, try holding the barrel sideways to see if any droplets of water escape.

If you don't see any water droplets, then you can load the barrel on the motor and turn it on.

Rinse Grit #1:

The wastewater from tumbling is called slurry, and it is very important that you never put slurry down your household drains. It will clog and ruin your pipes.

Always, empty and rinse your tumbling barrel outside, and never dump the slurry down your pipes.

After the first cycle is up, the next step is to empty the barrel into a plastic strainer.

Using a spray attachment on my hose, I sprayed the rocks and rinsed off as much of the slurry as I could.

Clean the barrel really well with the hose sprayer as well.

If you can, save your plastic pellets because they can be reused. Although, since they were used with Grit #1, they should only be reused in your next batch of rocks with Grit #1.

At this point you want to keep the rocks wet, you should never let them dry between the tumbling cycles.

I placed my rocks in a bowl of water and brought them inside.

Step 2: Medium:

Place the clean rocks back in the barrel.

Add enough water to cover the rocks.

To the barrel, add 1 tablespoon of plastic pellets. Then add Grit #2, at a rate of 2 tablespoons per pound of rock.

Since I have nearly 2 pounds of rock, I used 4 tablespoons of medium grit.

Put the lid back on the barrel and make sure it is completely sealed.

Let the tumbler run for 6 to 8 days.

Rinse Grit #2:

Take the barrel and strainer back outside to drain the slurry, and rinse the rocks.

Again, save as many of the plastic pellets as you can and set them aside for your next batch of Grit #2.

Wash the plastic barrel, making sure to remove all grit from the inside.

Place the rocks in a bowl of water to bring them back inside.

Step 3 - Pre Polish:

Fill the barrel with your clean rocks, and fill it with enough water to cover the rocks.

Add Grit #3 at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per pound, so I added 2 tablespoons of grit.

Also, add 1 tablespoon of plastic pellets.

Reseal the barrel with the lid, and check for leaks.

Run the tumbler for another 6 to 8 days.

Rinse Grit #3:

After the cycle is done, clean the rocks and filler again by taking it outside and spraying it off with your hose.

Clean the barrel really well, save any plastic pellets, and set them aside for the next time you run a cycle with Grit #3.

Place the rocks in a bowl of water, and clean each of the rocks again with a toothbrush.

Step 4 - Final Polish:

Refill the clean barrel with your clean rocks.

Fill the barrel with enough water to cover the stones.

Add Grit #4 at a ratio of 1.5 tablespoons per pound of rock. I added 3 tablespoons.

In this step, you are no longer grinding down the stone, but focusing on the polishing process.

My rocks have been tumbling for some time now, and have polished off quite a bit. So this time I added 2 tablespoons of plastic pellets to give the rocks more cushion as they tumble.

Seal the barrel with the lid and check for leaks.

Tumble for 7 to 9 days.

Rinse Grit #4:

After this cycle, the rocks should be taken outside to wash off.

Sort out the plastic pellets and set them aside for the next time you run a cycle with Grit #4.

Clean the barrel, and place the rocks in a bowl of water.

Burnishing:

We aren't quite finished yet. The last step is to give the rocks and nice shiny look to them we need to burnish them, which is another way of saying tumble with soap.

Place the clean rocks in the clean barrel and cover them with water.

Take a bar of Ivory Soap and a craft knife and scrape off about 1 tablespoon of soap into the barrel.

Seal the barrel, and check for leaks.

This time, you only need to run the tumbler for a couple of hours.

Final Rinse:

For the last time, take the rocks outside to strain and rinse off.

Rock Tumbler Before and After:

After 4 weeks of tumbling our rocks are finally done!

Here is the before.

And here is the after!

They are all so pretty!!

I did not get quite the shiny rocks I was hoping for but some of them polished up really nicely!

According Dan & Darci directions, if you don't get the shine you were hoping for, you can repeat steps 2-4.

I am going to run a couple more batches of rocks and see how they turn out, and then I may try repolishing some to see how they turn out. I will keep you posted!

You can also apply a coat of wax or mineral oil to bring out the colors and patterns of your rocks. Simply rub a small amount of wax or oil onto the surface of your rock and buff it with a soft cloth.

Polishing rocks is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to connect with nature and create beautiful pieces of art.

With a little patience and practice, you can turn ordinary rocks into stunning gems that will last a lifetime. So, go ahead and try it for yourself!

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