Rocks for Tumbling
Find tumbling suitability and technique notes for agate, quartz and more.
Not every beautiful rock makes a suitable companion in the barrel. Differences in hardness, cracks and internal structure affect how stones abrade and polish. Mixing incompatible materials can produce disappointing finishes.
What you will find here
Choose a small batch of reasonably similar material and keep notes on hardness and surface condition.
The guides in this section focus on specific decisions and outcomes. Where a relevant Amazon product is available, links are clearly marked as paid links. Where the answer does not require a purchase, the guide should say so.
How to use this section
Open the most relevant guide below. You can return to this hub at any time using the breadcrumbs, or search the site for a specific model, stone, grit or problem.