Go Back
top photo is holding raw stones, including serpentine, gabbro, and rhododendrite with the bottom showing the finished polished rocks. the title says "rock tumbling step by step - how to polish rocks, abcrafty.com"

Rock Polishing 101 - How to Polish Rocks with a Rock Tumbler

Rock tumbling is a great way to turn ordinary stones and minerals into beautiful, polished rocks. Learn step by step how to use a rock tumbler to get perfectly polished stones every time.
Yield 10 Polished Rocks
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Share Tweet
Project Time 30 days
Total Time 30 days

Materials
  

  • 1-2 lbs Rocks typically included in a kit
  • Rock Tumbling Grit typically included in a kit
  • Ceramic Media Filler or Plastic Pellets sometimes included in a kit
  • Dish Soap
  • Paper Towels

Equipment

  • 1 Rock Tumbler
  • Mesh Bag
  • Small Strainer
  • Bucket
  • Face Mask
  • Old Toothbrush and/or Pin optional

Instructions
 

Stage 1 - Coarse Grit

  • Add rocks to the barrel, filling it to 1/2-2/3 full. Put on a face mask for protection (this is mine) and add the step 1 grit and water, filling it to just below the level of the stones. Use 2 Tbs of grit for each pound of rocks. Most kits like this one come with stones and grit pre-measured.
    Rock Tumbling Grit, 1-2 lbs Rocks
    pouring water into the komestone barrel with raw stones and ceramic pieces
  • Close the barrel and let it run for 7 days.
    barrel on the komestone rock tumbling kit and pressing the play button
  • Check a few of the stones using the small strainer. They shouldn't have any sharp edges. You can choose to run them for longer if they still have bumps and cuts. During this step 1 is when they take their shape.
    using a small sifter to rinse stones over a bucket
  • If you're happy with them, wash the rocks and barrel thoroughly. I recommend placing them back into the barrel with water and a few drops of mild soap and running it for 1-2 hours (this is the kind I use). Then rinse it out.
    Dish Soap
    washing the stones in a mesh bag a bin with soap

Stage 2 - Medium Grit

  • Put on a face mask and add step 2 grit and water to barrel, filling it to just below the level of the stones. If there is room in the barrel, add ceramic media (like this one) or plastic pellets to fill it back to 1/2-2/3 full. Wipe the inside and outside edge of the barrel with a paper towel to dry it, then close it.
    Rock Tumbling Grit, Ceramic Media Filler or Plastic Pellets, Paper Towels
    pouring polly plastics ceramic filler into the barrel with stones
  • Run it again for 7 days. Then check the stones again and repeat the process of either running for longer or cleaning.
    pouring water over jasper stones in a small sifter to clean the grit off

Stage 3 - Pre Polish

  • When they're ready, put on a face mask and add step 3 pre-polish, any fillers, and water and run it for another 7 days.
    Rock Tumbling Grit, Ceramic Media Filler or Plastic Pellets
    pouring water into a barrel with stones, grit, and plastic pellets
  • Again, check the stones and run for longer if necessary or clean them thoroughly. Take extra care to clean the rocks with an old toothbrush if necessary. You can also use a pin to remove any grit particles.
    Dish Soap
    using a toothbrush to clean the stones

Stage 4 - Final Rock Polish

  • After they're fully cleaned, put them back into the barrel, put on a face mask, and add the step 4 polish and any necessary filler. Run for another 7 days.
    Rock Tumbling Grit
    barrel with stones, ceramic filler, and grit 4 polish
  • Check a few of the stones by washing them with mild soap. They should be shiny and polished looking. Rinse them off and run them in one last soap cycle to clean off any film the polish may have left. Then marvel at your beautifully polished rocks!
    Dish Soap
    finished polished rocks including jasper, quartz, amethyst, tiger's eye, obsidian, and blue goldstone

Video

Keyword Agate, Crystal, Geology, Polishing, Rock Polishing, Rock Tumbler, Rocks, Stones