Rocks To Tumble

Rock tumbling is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to transform rough, jagged rocks into beautiful, polished gems. But before you can start tumbling, you need to choose the right rocks to tumble.

Not all rocks are suitable for tumbling. In fact, some rocks are too hard, while others are too soft. To ensure that your rock tumbling experience is successful and enjoyable, it's important to choose the right rocks to tumble.

Tips For Choosing The Best Rocks To Tumble

1. Avoid rocks that are too hard or too soft. Rocks that are too hard will not polish well in a rock tumbler, and may even damage the tumbler itself. On the other hand, rocks that are too soft will quickly break down and may not produce a polished finish. A good rule of thumb is to choose rocks that have a hardness of at least 6 on the Mohs scale.
2. Choose rocks that are free of cracks, chips, or other imperfections. These imperfections can weaken the rock and make it more susceptible to breaking during the tumbling process. If you're unsure about the quality of a rock, it's best to leave it out of your tumbling mix.
3. Select rocks that are a similar size and shape. This will help ensure that the rocks tumble evenly and produce a consistent finish. Avoid mixing rocks of different sizes and shapes, as this can lead to uneven tumbling and a less polished finish.

Types Of Rocks To Tumble

Agate

This is a type of microcrystalline quartz that is known for its beautiful, banded patterns and vibrant colors. It is a popular choice for rock tumbling, due to its durability and ability to produce a high-quality, polished finish.

One of the main benefits of agate for rock tumbling is its hardness. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, agate falls between 6.5 and 7, making it a good choice for tumbling. It is hard enough to withstand the tumbling process, but not so hard that it will damage the tumbler or other rocks in the mix.

Another advantage of agate for rock tumbling is its variety of colors and patterns. Agates can be found in a range of colors, from pale white to deep red, and can also feature intricate banding patterns. This makes agate a great option for creating unique, colorful polished stones.

Finally, agate is widely available and affordable, making it a good choice for rock tumblers of all budgets. You can find agate at rock and gem shows, online retailers, and even at some local rock shops.

Overall, agate is an excellent choice for rock tumbling. Its durability, color variety, and affordability make it a popular choice among rock tumbling enthusiasts.

Jasper

Jasper is a type of opaque, microcrystalline quartz that is known for its beautiful, mottled patterns and rich, earthy colors. It is a popular choice for rock tumbling, due to its durability and ability to produce a high-quality, polished finish.

One of the main benefits of jasper for rock tumbling is its hardness. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, jasper falls between 6.5 and 7, making it a good choice for tumbling. It is hard enough to withstand the tumbling process, but not so hard that it will damage the tumbler or other rocks in the mix.

Another advantage of jasper for rock tumbling is its variety of colors and patterns. Jasper can be found in a range of colors, from deep red and brown to pale yellow and green, and can also feature intricate, mottled patterns. This makes jasper a great option for creating unique, colorful polished stones.

In addition to its beauty and durability, jasper is also widely available and affordable, making it a good choice for rock tumblers of all budgets. You can find jasper at rock and gem shows, online retailers, and even at some local rock shops.

Overall, jasper is an excellent choice for rock tumbling. Its durability, color variety, and affordability make it a popular choice among rock tumbling enthusiasts.