What You Need to Start Rock Tumbling

Starting a new hobby like rock tumbling is exciting, especially when you know what tools and materials you'll need from the outset. Whether you're a curious beginner or buying a kit for a budding geologist, having the right equipment is essential for success.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of what you need to start rock tumbling, including how to choose the right tumbler and the must-have supplies to get great results.

Choosing the Right Rock Tumbler

Before you begin polishing rocks, you’ll need a reliable rock tumbler. These come in two main types: rotary tumblers and vibratory tumblers. For beginners, rotary tumblers are by far the most popular and easiest to use.

Rotary Tumblers

Rotary tumblers are perfect for beginners because they’re affordable, widely available, and easy to understand. They consist of a rotating barrel that slowly tumbles the rocks with abrasive grit and water over a period of several weeks. This process smooths and polishes the stones through friction.

One our website you can find everything you need to start tumbling, including:

Beginner Rock Tumbler With 2lb Barrel

Beginner Rock Tumbling Grit Pack

1KG Mixed Bag of Rough Rock

A single-barrel machine is sufficient for beginners, while a double-barrel option lets you tumble different batches or stages simultaneously. 

Vibratory Tumblers (Advanced Option)

Vibratory tumblers are generally used by more experienced hobbyists. They polish rocks more quickly than rotary tumblers and preserve the shape of stones better, but they do not round off rough edges as effectively. These are often used for the polishing stage only and are not recommended as a beginner’s first purchase.

Essential Supplies: Grits, Rocks, and Accessories

Once you've chosen your rock tumbler, you’ll need a few other essential items to get started:

Tumbling Grit

Rock tumbling grit is the abrasive material used to smooth and polish the rocks. It comes in different grades for each stage of the tumbling process:

Coarse grit (usually silicon carbide F80): Used for shaping and smoothing rough edges.

Medium grit (F220): Further refines the stones.

Fine grit (F400 or higher): Prepares rocks for final polish.

Polishing compound (cerium oxide or pumice powder): Adds the finishing shine.

Grit is usually sold in sets that match the four stages of tumbling. Avoid reusing grit, as it becomes less effective after each cycle.

Rough Rocks for Tumbling

Not all rocks are suitable for tumbling. Good choices for beginners include:

• Quartz
• Jasper
• Agate
• Amethyst
• Petrified wood

Avoid soft or crumbly stones like sandstone or limestone, as they don’t hold up well in the tumbler. You can purchase pre-selected rough rocks for tumbling online or collect your own—just make sure they’re of similar hardness to avoid uneven results.

Accessories You May Need

Plastic pellets: Used to cushion fragile stones and fill empty space in the barrel during the polishing stage.

Sealable containers: For storing grit and separated rock batches.

Sieve or strainer: Helps with cleaning between stages.

Notebook or tumbling log: To track stages, times, and results.

Final Thoughts

Starting with the right rock tumbling equipment and supplies can make all the difference in your first tumbling experience. A good-quality tumbler, the correct grit, and appropriate rocks will set you up for success and ensure your stones come out beautifully polished.

Remember, rock tumbling is as much about the journey as the result. With the proper setup, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying one of the most rewarding and educational hobbies out there.