Rock Tumbling, Polishing & Carving

How To Break Up Rock for Tumbling

If the rocks you have are larger than you'd like for tumbling or other uses, here are some hints for breaking them up into smaller pieces.

How To Choose the Right Tumbler

Rock tumblers make very popular gifts for adults and kids alike, but it's often difficult to decide which one you should buy. We can help!

Comparing Rotary and Vibratory Tumblers

Which kind of tumbler is right for you? Each of the two basic forms of rock polisher—rotary and vibratory—has its advantages; this is a basic overview of both types.

How To Polish Stones with a Rotary or Vibratory Tumbler

A basic guide to tumbling stones using the two types of rock tumblers.

How to Drill Holes in Your Tumbled Stones or Beach Glass

Judy Kiriazis’ guide to safely and effectively drilling holes in glass and stone.

How To Clean Quartz

Newly dug quartz crystals and crystal formations are often stained red-brown from iron and encrusted with clay. This is a guide to the right techniques and cleaners to get your quartz beautiful and shiny.

How To Polish Petoskey Stones with a Tumbler

Petoskey Stones are fossilized remains of a colonial coral that lived in the Michigan seas about 350 million years ago. Petoskey Stones are relatively soft, with a Moh's hardness of 3 to 3-1/2, so tumble polishing them safely can be a little tricky; this guide can help.

How To Tumble Polish Glass

People setting out to tumble glass generally have one of two goals—to smooth and polish their pieces of glass to a high sheen, or to recreate the frosted matte finish so prized in seaglass. This guide can help you to get either effect.

How To Clean Geodes

You’ve bought or found your geode, but is it clear? Dusty? Here’s how to get it sparkling.

How To Tumble Polish Corundum

Tumbling corundum—ruby and sapphire—can be done, but requires special abrasives (not to mention perseverance). Here's how to do the job properly.

List of Recommended Tumbling Polishes for Selected Rocks & Minerals

An overview of polishes for different types of rocks and minerals.

How To Polish Metals with a Rotary Rock Tumbler

Big jewelry manufacturers use electric tumblers to finish cast jewelry; they work on the same principle as lapidary tumblers for polishing stones. Here’s what you need to polish metals yourself.

Rock Tumbling: How it Works

A basic overview of how rock tumbling simulates the natural movement of the ocean to smooth stones and glass.

All About Tumbling Grit

Abrasives used in rock tumbling come in a wide range of grits, and in a lot of different materials. This can be confusing to the newcomer. Here are some of the terms you'll need to know.

How To Polish Glass with a Vibratory or Rotary Tumbler

People setting out to tumble glass generally have one of two goals -- to smooth and polish their pieces of glass to a high sheen, or to recreate the frosted matte finish so prized in seaglass. Whichever outcome you aim for, there are a few things to keep in mind in working with glass...

Soapstone Carving: How-To

Soapstone carving is a blast, because it is so accessible. You don’t need expensive tools, technical expertise or a degree in studio arts, either. Read on for some helpful tips and techniques.