Rock Tumbling 101 | A Guide for Beginners

Learn to tumble rocks like a pro! This video was so fun to make and took a really long time! I have included the process I used below to help you out! A big shout out to Ragnar Rocks for his awesome tumbling guide that gave these gorgeous results! Please go check out his channel! Enjoy!

How to Tumble Rocks
1. Fill tumbler 2/3 full of rocks and ceramic media.
2. Add water to just under the level of the rocks.
3. Add one scoop of grit 1 per pound of rock (I did 2 scoops).
4. Tumble for 8 days.

5. Rinse rocks throughly.
6. Tumble rocks for one day in water and a drop of dish soap (you can use shaved ivory soap or borax too).
7. Continue the above steps through grit 4 (polish).
8. Woohoo! Cool shiny rocks!

My Must Have Rockhounding Items:
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Books:

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Filming Equipment:

#agateariel #thefinders #rocktumbling #rockhounding

Happy Hounding!

[dpitts]

Cracks me up knowing I'm not the only one who gets excited and sings out "Who wants to see some rocks?!"

[mrfxm]

Tumbling is a great beginning hobby. Remember, that joining a local rock club may be the best next step in your journey of this exciting hobby. It will give you more insight about rocks in general and how they formed as well as access to equipment and likeinded new friends to go hunt with. (40 years member of a Texas Gem and Mineral Club) you won't be sorry !

[therockgarden]

This is a great introduction to tumbling. I've thought about doing a similar channel, but life decides I have other priorities. I would add some notes to anyone finding this video as they prepare to tumble for the first time. First, NEVER dump the waste water in a sink or drain. The ground rock and grit turns into a cement that will cause your plumbing issues in a hurry. The second thing I do is keep tumbling media for recycled use by the step. That is, I keep my step 1 ceramic and reuse it on step 1 in the future. That way there is absolutely no way grit will travel with the ceramic. I use plastic filler material for pre-polish and polish. Lastly, I found some polish I can use with a Dremel or similar tool to add some finishing shine. Mineral oil will also fill in any scratches and nicks to make your rocks extra brilliant.

[mikebrown]

I’m new at rock tumbling (at the age of 58). Your video gave me some great information for tumbling that I appreciate. Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us!

[pinatajuju]

Tumbling rocks was one of the few fun things I did in Iraq. The rocks we polished were used on the roads at Camp Victory. They came from the Tigris and Euphrates river.

[OntarioRob]

I never put media in the 1st step. I also use 46/70 grit as my 1st step grit. You can shave about 4 days off your 1st step. I use ceramic media from the 2nd step & on. I do 5 steps instead of 4, plus I burnish after every step is complete & I use Borax powdered soap, never dish soap. I'm a very picky person when it comes to tumbling, so I figure if you're going to go through weeks, sometimes months of waiting, the rocks might as well come out as perfect as they can. Love the agates. Great video, Ariel

[keithwatson]

I'm not into rocks or anything. But every time I pass by your video, and it starts playing automatically, I get distracted... mesmerized... captivated.

[glenrobertson]

Great tumbling. Love the rocks and your cheery personality. To be as excited about rocks as we all are is something not everyone understands. A strong bond with nature I bet. I've been a proud rock nerd since I was a kid. Truly a great hobby and pastime and to have a host with enthusiasm is even better. I love to pop them back in if they need a little more love. Keep the videos coming and happy polishing!

[McNuggie]

I'm 11, and I just started a Rock tumbling channel! You video helps a lot! Although, what I am currently using is sand from the beach, rocks I can find anywhere, and a small tumbler. It would be great we we could get a one on one and I could get some extra tips from you! Stay Safe, Devin

[ancientsoul]

When I use to tumble rocks and the polish was in the nooks, I would use a toothbrush to remove the residue. That way I didn't make the rock any smaller nor worry about breakage. Love your video's!

[Goman]

Wow, I could never wait for 1+ months to get them finished. Your have a lot of patience.

[caroltillietmo]

I am new at this, so I didn't wash between step one and step 2. Plus I have to get ceramic. This is a fun hobby, I never knew it took so long to tumble. Thank you for this video, super helpful.

[TheMorriganLeFay]

Just got my first tumbler a few days ago and am so glad i found your video!! Thanks for all the information.

[malirabbit]

This video just appeared in my feed. I’ve been interested in how the rock tumbling process is done. So very interesting the results plus your great personality and enthusiasm for your craft made me want to see more of what you do. Live long and prosper 🖖.

[katie]

I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE this video! I’ve probably watched it 10 times lol. It’s the best tumbler tutorial I’ve seen! And your happiness/excitement is contagious! I can’t wait to get started tumbling myself! Thank you for sharing! ❤

[terryf]

This is an awesome video. thanks!! My 6-year-old boy collects rocks and I've had a Tumblr that I've wanted to use for a long time. I bought it years ago cuz I always throw 'interesting' rocks in my pocket when I'm out gold panning. Weeee!!🤠

[Racergirl]

My daughter is getting into rocks and tumbling and she loveddd this video. We are newbies and i personally liked how you explained it! Thank you and i cant wait to go through more videos and just learn about rockhounding and such. Thanks again!

[corteltube]

This has been the best video to watch…my aunt used to have one of these and I have always wanted one…I am a rock lover thanks to my aunt (good memories collecting rocks) and I could spend days collecting and looking at them…my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas and now I can give him an answer…☺️. Thanks for this video great video …plus it will be a fun project to do with my two little grand sons . I have given them love of rocks to them and we collect.

[brettmeldahl]

A friend of mine does FaceTime and repairs for Ben Bridge. He got me started in rockhounding and tumbling/polishing. One of the greatest tricks he taught me was using high quality two part resin. It fills cracks and holes, gives a deeper look and adds to shine. Cracks are less apt to break. Holes disappear and don't look like they were ever there. I stress high quality, which won't be cheap, but if it's good enough for use at jewelry stores its good enough for me.
This is for smaller (gold ball sized or smaller is easiest until you get used to it) as you have to avoid over runs that will be harder to sand away. If you use a heat release glue, like a UV glue and a wooden skewer you can brush the resin on easily leaving a very small hole in it. I set them into cork board for drying. When the resin has completely cured I use a hair dryer to heat the UV glue and release it. Fill the hole left from the skewer, let it cure and sand with high grit wet/dry and done.
Im up to rocks that take half inch dowels and a vice to hold them while they cure. Idk how conventional this is in the rockhounding world but their my rocks so I do with them as I do. Same for you.

[reggieb]

Great job! Love the split screen with before & after. Thanks for a great video.