How to Tumble Obsidian

[@captpaul8827]

Neat specimens! The iridescent obsidian is called Sheen Obsidian; the sheen caused by the refraction of light through microscopic bubbles in the obsidian. This is different from Rainbow Obsidian in which the colour is caused by iridescence from inclusions of the mineral hedenbergite. Snowflake Obsidian is different again in which the white "snowflakes" are caused by crystal patterns of the mineral cristobalite, originating due to partial crystallisation of the glass. I know, more than you wanted to know........

[@MichiganRocks]

No, Paul, I'm always interested in what you have to say. Thanks!

[@wyomingadventures]

Thanks Paul. Interesting information. I just got some obsidian from my brother's landscape job. It's black but has a different sheen on the outside of it. This explains why it looks that way. Yes please tell us more about obsidian! What do you think about the fire obsidian?

[@zosoart]

I love learning new things!

[@kellyharper367]

Old disabled house bound dusty rusty rockhound here: Can we ever know to much? I bet you were a blast as a teacher!

[@jonathanyoung7785]

Tell us about fire obsidian, Paul. Have you ever seen that stuff? It's like obsidian on an acid trip.

[@WorldofRockhounds]

There are people that won't show how to tumble obsidian and then there is you. Thank YOU for the time and the effort to go through the detailed process of how to tumble obsidian. You rock!

[@MichiganRocks]

Is it a secret or something?

[@WorldofRockhounds]

@@MichiganRocks some people treat it like a secret, sadly.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@WorldofRockhounds Don't tell them that I blabbed it on the Internet, please.

[@WorldofRockhounds]

@@MichiganRocks haha deal

[@kellyharper367]

Old disabled house bound dusty rusty rockhound here: Some fun to watch and reminisce...ah the smell of a rock shop! You sure have a clean and well organized rock lab. Beautiful tumbled specimens of nice variety. 👌

[@berjo77]

So fun to go back to similar “how to” videos produced by you for us newest newbees. A couple of years later it all makes so much more sense. Great job! I’ve got a friend who travelled Florida to California, try to get him to pick up some obsidian on his way back. I love to try this stone.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's pretty cheap to buy. The first time I bought some, I found a dealer who sold it for knapping, not tumbling. I emailed and asked if I could buy some scraps that were too small for knapping. I got a good deal that way.

[@IndigoCobalt]

🪨 I appreciate the time it took to make this video! It’s so enjoyable to see the process from beginning to end. Thank you!

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

Great tutorial! It's so nice when 7 weeks only take a half hour! Thank you for all the helpful tips.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, it was a full seven weeks on my end.

[@ruthchapman3847]

They turned out really great, love the snowflakes

[@aliencat11]

All the varieties are beautiful. Thanks for sharing Rob!

[@Indyanas_ocean_view]

Awesome! That obsidian came out so nice and shiny! Each piece looked totally unique!😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@beckyteti2105]

Love the polish joke 🤣🤣🤣 Those obsidian/apache tears are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! Nice work Rob!

[@MichiganRocks]

I think that all the time when I see that word.

[@LadyYoop]

Phenomenal. You have such an outstanding operation there! Just beautiful!

[@4wheelvfr]

Thanks for the great video. As someone who's still new to this hobby, I appreciate these very much.

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome!

[@KaramelMoo]

Thank you for this, as always, great tutorial! The finished rocks look gorgeous, they were certainly worth the effort in my opinion.

[@MichiganRocks]

These are actually pretty easy to do with this method. They're soft, so the first stage goes relatively quickly.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Great video Rob, lovely material. People need to see what it actually takes to make nice shiny rocks, you can’t believe the material that comes with the cheaper tumblers, just 1 week on stage 1 and a few days on each of the other stages, I think that miss information causes people to give up as it doesn’t work.

[@MichiganRocks]

I can believe it. I did a video where I followed the directions that came with the National Geographic tumbler. Between the fast speed, bad instructions, horrible polish and crumby rocks, I didn't have success. Can you believe that? I did another batch using my own techniques and did pretty well though.

[@roman11469]

Now you done did it…I have to try obsidian now! 😂 That snowflake is gorgeous. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[@MichiganRocks]

Sorry about adding to your rock expenses.

[@Aukejorrit]

This is really great. My view of obsidian was always this sharp stuff. I saw it as dangerous yet beautiful. You made it look soft and just stunning! Especially the snowflake obsidian. Thats stuff is just gorgeous

[@MichiganRocks]

It's very sharp when broken. They make scalpels out of them. But if you tumble it, it's very smooth and not sharp at all.

[@johnparrish336]

Great video!!! Thanks for posting the progress.

[@WaewardJess]

It's exciting to see this video because a lady I work with just gave me a ton of Apache Tears! Thanks for the great video

[@MichiganRocks]

You should be able to tackle those with no problem now.

[@todddaugherty110]

The name "Apache Tears" has caused a lot of confusion. The name originated from obsidian nodules found near Superior, Arizona. The Pinal Apaches, whose territory was centered in Superior. The warriors repeatedly raided the Phoenix area, 60 miles to the west. Every time the Phoenix citizens would chase them down but they would disappear. Finally the Phoenix folks took on some warrior from a nearby tribe. The next time Phoenix was raided, the new allies waited and then tracked the Pinals back to Superior and discovered that there was a faint trail to the top of the mountain/mesa. The Phoenix citizens then crept up the trail, which was the only way to get on top. They opened fire on the Pinals, who had no way to escape. Rather than being cut down by guns, The Pinals jumped off the cliff to their deaths. That location is known as "Apache Leap". Being a historian of the Southwest, I have been able to verify this part of the story. The myth part is the Pinal women and children climbed the trail and looked down on the warriors at the bottom of the cliff and their tears turned to stone. The actual nodules (tears) are found in white glassy and dusty perlite. The Superior perlite is mined and heat treated to form those spongy white balls in potting soil as Rob said. The primary use is for filtration of foods, especially milk. The mine, more of a quarry, are not interested in the obsidian. The Superior nodules are indeed superior. As Rob said, obsidian is soft and fragile and as he has shown, it takes a lot of patience to produce great tears. Obsidian forms when a rhyolitic lava flows. Because of the chemical makeup and viscosity, the obsidian cools faster than the surrounding lava preventing it from fully form crystals. The Superior tears are translucent with whiffs of grey or brown. But there chemical makeup and physical properties make it so solid that you can actually facet it. While I would suspect there are different locations that have tears that can be faceted, but I have never run across any. My polishing process for them is nearly identical to yours, including the use of a Lot-O-Tumbler. Cushioning is absolutely imperative. I've used ceramics, plastic pellets and those rubbery "crosses" used as spacers when laying tile. The name is a matter of preference. To me, all "apache tears" are roundish nodules, but different strokes for different folks. Rob, I have followed your channel for years along with the channels of the other "rockhounds". I have learned the most from you. Cheers.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for the history lesson, Todd. Several people pointed out that what I tumbled in this video are not actually Apache Tears, but some other obsidian nodule from a different location. Not knowing any better, I went with the name that I bought them under. Either way, the polishing method is the same. Thanks for the nice comment about learning from my channel. I set out to educate people about tumbling with this channel. I still do that, but I have also realized that a lot of people watch my videos for entertainment, never intending to do any of this themselves. It's hard to know how to pace the videos sometimes because of that. Too fast and it's not as educational, too slow and it gets boring.

[@todddaugherty110]

@@MichiganRocks Thanks Rob. Of course folks can call rocks anything they want. I don't maintain that only nodules or nodules from Superior can be called Apache Tears, I just like to clear up confusion when I can. (check your email for an offer)

[@tinadelaluz3197]

Thank you Rob. I feel so much more confident now about tumbling my collection of obsidian. Great video!!

[@MichiganRocks]

You shouldn't have a problem if you follow Krystee's instuctions.

[@salliemorrill2671]

Love the translucent & the Mahogany Absidiane. That quite an educational vid. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@MichiganRocks]

I like the stuff with a little color too.

[@deniseveiw7992]

It's all pretty. The snowflake is beautiful. Oh, the mahogany is also beautiful.

[@MichiganRocks]

It's all beautiful!

[@weathertrainsrandomniss1083]

Great work! Cool stones, the time it takes still boggles my mind, but it's worth it! Cheers from Wisconsin.

[@johnharrison7178]

I literally searched for this video yesterday, but I've seen you hadn't done one yet. Thanks for doing one.

[@MichiganRocks]

Better late than never, huh?

[@patriciamckean4186]

Perfect timing, just started a batch of apache tears. 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

Now you know what to do!

[@mnamber]

I had no idea obsidian came in different colors. Thanks for the video ✌️❤️

[@MichiganRocks]

Rainbow obsidian and some others are really cool.

[@chrishunt8130]

Awesome looking stones as usual. I have some snowflake obsidian, I’ve wanted to tumble but stayed away from it. Thanks for tutorial on tumbling obsidian, going to give it a try.

[@MichiganRocks]

Good luck!

[@tamimcclain2459]

Very informative video. Thank you! The greenish sheen specimens could be velvet obsidian.

[@justjulee9135]

Awesome instructional video! I messed up a few obsidian pieces in my learning days by tumbling them with other, harder rocks. But, now I know.

[@MichiganRocks]

That's how we all learn. Making mistakes can be very educational.

[@jennygoat2826]

Hey Rob! I’m actually on my second batch of obsidian in a rotary tumbler. First try was one week each (turned out nice!) but this current barrel is using Chuck Martin’s method of three weeks per stage. Really looking forward to seeing how they finish up. Yours look great as usual!

[@MichiganRocks]

You can never go wrong with following Chuck's advice. He was one of the two people I referred to in the video.

[@IDongle503]

@jennygoat2826 How did they end up turning out? I’m on week one with my batch.

[@mybackhurts7020]

I’ve gotten a hold of some really cool pieces of obsidian they are so cool when tumbled nice and they have stripes in them

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, if they have some color or stripes, they're much more interesting than just plain, black rocks. Although I do like that they look like black jelly beans because I love black jelly beans.

[@natalieclark5819]

Great video, Rob! I used to assume this material would be too difficult to try. This gives me hope and motivation. 😁

[@MichiganRocks]

A vibratory tumbler is the key. You can do it in a rotary tumbler, but you have to run each step for a really long time.

[@natalieclark5819]

@@MichiganRocks I have 3-lb rotary units and a U-V 10. Would take an awful lot of material to fill that bowl. Do you mind me asking what other materials you think might do well along with it?

[@MichiganRocks]

You could always just use a lot of ceramics. The huge bowl on a UV-10 is one of the reasons I didn't buy one. I take forever tumbling every flaw out in the first stage, so it would take a very long time for me to produce enough rock to fill a ten pound bowl. The only other thing I can think of is slag glass or any other glass if you have some of that.

[@natalieclark5819]

@@MichiganRocks thank you! Yes, it takes me a couple of months to get enough material to fill - the only drawback I've found.

[@waynemorrison2643]

You have a very informative show. Hey, regarding the gases releasing, baking soda is good to add. Also with obsidian, add some corn syrup. It thickens the viscosity of your slurry so they don't hit as hard in the tumble.

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks for the tips, Wayne!

[@dougodette4582]

Rob, great video! I’ve got probably 5 buckets of Apache tears test we gave collected over the years, a few specimens still in matrix. The white material after your first tumble is pearlite. Thanks for the great tutorial brother!👍⛏💪🏻

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome. We don't have them here in Michigan, so I have never found one myself.

[@dougodette4582]

@@MichiganRocks The new batch looks like rainbow obsidian to me. I think many some of those are not actually Apache tears but other obsidians as the shapes don’t coincide with how an Apache tear forms but I could be totally wrong! Great, beautiful finishes none the less👍🇺🇸😊

[@MichiganRocks]

@@dougodette4582 I think you might be right.

[@bobmolder8867]

Great video. I just happened to be at the Apache Tear Caves yesterday in Superior, Arizona. Collected a tumbler full. They are not like the batch you show. They are like the last one's that you can see through. Like your channel and the how to. Thanks Bob

[@MichiganRocks]

Honestly, I don't know which kind I like better. They both have their merits.

[@sboydrocks9412]

Thank you Rob. Excellent job as always. Now I off to hunt up some sources of obsidian rough here in Australia. I don’t recall coming across it before so I’m thinking it is not as prevalent here in oz as it is in United States. Cheers and I look forward to your next project

[@MichiganRocks]

I can't help you with sourcing Australian rocks, so I'll just wish you good luck. Good luck!

[@katiedid713926]

Another terrific video!

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

I’m glad I watched this I have a friend that wants me to do some Apache tears and I don’t want to mess them up thanks for sharing 😊

[@MichiganRocks]

You're welcome.

[@dreamlookautodetailingauto3353]

We have lots of Obsidian around Topaz Mountain here in Utah. There by an where we camp. They're all over the place! Pick for days, crazy! There's Apache tears as well. Gonna hunt for some this spring. 🙂

[@MichiganRocks]

I've never found any myself, because we don't have it here in Michigan.

[@douglasberwick1699]

I have some Apache Tears that I collected at a perlite mine beside hwy 60 about one mile west of Superior Az. They are different again, as they are various shades of gray in bands. Have never gotten a good polish so will try this method. Thanks Rob

[@MichiganRocks]

There's quite a variety of obsidian. I think you'll do well if you do it this way. I've had good luck with any obsidian that I did this way.

[@sharonrowland1196]

Gorgeous Stones Rob 👍 I love obsidian 👍❤️😃👋 Wish I had some p Diane to put in my Rock Tumbler 🥃👍😄

[@largent45]

Thanks for that tutorial on apache tears! Ive never seen them quite that big and oddly shaped before, either. And i have only seen black or black with clears spots in it and round or mostly round and small. Those were like saw scraps covered in perlite. Weird! But they came out nicely and the different sheens of obsidian was a bonus. The silver sheen, gold sheen, rainbow and velvet varieties are rarer so its not what you would technically find in apache tears. You got a screaming deal on that stuff! Thanks Rob!

[@MichiganRocks]

I can't remember where these were from. I know where I bought them, but they don't have them anymore. Someone told me that Apache Tears only come from Arizona. I'll bet this was a similar material from some other part of the world.

[@largent45]

@@MichiganRocks Ive seen apache tears collected from colorado too though, so who knows!

[@Smallathe]

Wonderful video and obsidian demonstration at the end :)

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks!

[@samuelfiore7949]

Another great video, Informative in so many ways. especially in the 1200 polish, so many of us new commers think 1200 is going to get that "wet" look, someone in a group suggested , in final stage, micro alumina. What a difference . Also I try to keep barrel at 3/4 its hard in know I try to just keep it close. (every time I seen polish on your barrel I wanted to ask "opposed to the Italian one lol ?" I'm 50/50 for anyone that has a problem with that statement :P )

[@MichiganRocks]

I see the nationality a lot of times when I look at that word too.

[@karlkarlsson1441]

Thanks so much for this video!!! Really excited to try this!!! Gees great info!!! Awesome video!!!:)

[@NBZW]

Fellow told me years ago to add kero syrup to the final polish with baking soda , allow just enough water to thin the mixture enough to allow a stone to sink but not rapidly. Worked well for me at the time.

[@MichiganRocks]

I haven't heard of using baking soda, but I have heard of using Karo Syrup or just sugar in the water to thicken it to protect the rocks more. I haven't tried that though.

[@NBZW]

@@MichiganRocks years ago when I was involved in Lapidary, a tumbler was my choice, an old fellow in the club said use equal amounts of soda to polishing grit which I did. He didn’t explain why, Still have a few in an oyster jar that are as bright as the day they were finished...One problem as I remember, ants. Really have to clean the drum 😉

[@MichiganRocks]

@@NBZW At least the ants can't eat your obsidian.

[@NBZW]

@@MichiganRocks How true 😉

[@TheRockaBillyD]

Great video!

[@rorycrane1630]

Really enjoy your videos. I found when strictly using Rotary Tumblers to tumble obsidian I found it better to use smaller a smaller 23:34 Barrel than a larger one. The more empty space the more chance of bruising the Glass. I use a 4 lb. Tumbler over a 12 lb. Tumbler. I’m going to purchase a Vibratory Tumbler after seeming this video. Thanks for your expertise and keep the videos coming. Peace Out

[@MichiganRocks]

I agree. I would also use a small barrel to cut down on harder impacts.

[@markattardo]

Great results!

[@danahansen5651]

I absolutely love your videos I have learned so much

[@MichiganRocks]

Thanks, Dana, I'm glad you're getting something out of them.

[@jimSP500]

They turned out Nice! I took the info from your Pandora Bead video and put it to use. I've sold 6 of the 7 so far and have to make some more Pudding Stone Beads for people who requested them. I used the cabber for the polishing instead of the Lot-O

[@MichiganRocks]

That's great, Jim! I haven't made any puddingstone beads. I tried a couple and they kept breaking.

[@jimSP500]

@Michigan Rocks Breaking ! Hmmm, I've only broke a Petoskey stone so far.. I'll messenger you the pics .

[@kendramanuel1276]

Those are cool rocks. Definitely different. ✌️💜😃

[@tinawilliams1060]

Robin having trouble downloading the directions on how to tumble the obsidian. Is it just me or others having problems with this too?

[@MichiganRocks]

I just clicked on it and it worked fine for me. Is this better? rockhoundlounge.com/yabbfiles/Attachments/tumbling_obsidian.pdf

[@tinawilliams1060]

@@MichiganRocks Yes! This one works for me! Thanks so much Rob! I have a whole bag waiting to be tumbled! Tina

[@soul_adventurist]

So much variety ❤ Nice shine, too! World of Rockhounds has a few good videos about obsidian and discusses a few varieties. It may help. You mentioned that you also garden. Will you be doing tutorials about gardening?

[@MichiganRocks]

Yes, I've seen a couple of Kyle's videos on obsidian. He definitely has a lot more experience with it than I do.

[@MichiganRocks]

I forgot to answer your question. I have a couple videos about my yard, but I don't plan to do any gardening tutorials. In case you missed them: Rocks in my landscape: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laa0dYabmq-JobM Firepit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX6anKiGoc9_mqc

[@cory546]

A good informative video

[@janehelbert7551]

When I was a little girl (I'm in my 70's) we took a trip to Maine and there were driveways at the motels that had tons of Obsidian. Wish I would have collected some of those!

[@MichiganRocks]

Seems like that would be bad for tires. Broken obsidian is really sharp.

[@janehelbert7551]

@@MichiganRocks They were still whole and round!?

[@garyfritzges6710]

Thanks Rob.

[@JerrycanWanderers]

I had just visited superior AZ and got me some apache tears. They look a lot like the last batch. Like tinted glass.

[@MichiganRocks]

Several people informed me that the obsidian I bought as Apache Tears were not actually Apache Tears. Still nice little obsidian nodules though.

[@sparband]

Beautiful.

[@Nikkisavage100]

Hi Rob, nice job, I have never seen this particular stone, I have obsidian but not this kind

[@MichiganRocks]

There are a lot of different types.

[@JT-bg2vy]

Thanks for the video, I've been tumbling for a little while now and I live in an area in Northern California where obsidian is literally in an unlimited amount but I have yet just to tumble any of it. I guess it's time to give it a try. If you want any obsidian I'd be more than happy to send you some!

[@MichiganRocks]

I still have a box of obsidian that's been in the basement for years, but thanks for the offer!

[@gingermackeen5741]

You must have the biggest collection of Michigan t-shirts!🤣 Great tutorial.

[@MichiganRocks]

I do have several.

[@dustinfindsrocks]

I’m gonna have to get a vibratory tumbler. I think the Missouri lace agate would do better in a vibratory tumbler also. I know someone who has a whole bunch of obsidian. These turned out great Rob!

[@MichiganRocks]

I do love my Lot-O. Too bad the newer motors aren't reliable.

[@anitawilliams2187]

Could not find your friend’s recipe for tumbling obsidian and or Apache Tears. Could you post separately or somehow that we could discover. Many thanks, always enjoy you how to’s and your hunts!

[@MichiganRocks]

Here it is: rockhoundlounge.com/yabbfiles/Attachments/tumbling_obsidian.pdf

[@geraldthiel760]

50 years ago, my grandfather polished a lot of Apache Tears. And being this is Michigan, he did a lot of polishing od Petoskey Stones and cut them to make Lower Michigan Bolo Tie clasps. Such beautiful stuff. 🙂 I am curious as to what is the weight loss of the Tears from before tumbling to after?

[@MichiganRocks]

I couldn't say exactly what the weight loss is, and it would vary from stone to stone. Some are only in the coarse grit for a week while others are in for several weeks, depending on how long it takes to get all the pits out. I wouldn't be surprised if they lose about 50% of their weight by the time they are done.

[@dustinfindsrocks]

Hey I’m early! I might have to try tumbling some obsidian… you have my attention!

[@MichiganRocks]

Everyone has to try obsidian. It's not the easiest rock to tumble, but it's a fun challenge.

[@EddieSchirmer]

i don't know if you have answered this question in any of your videos, but "what do you do about the used slurry from tumbling." i ask, because what i like to do with my slurry, is to dry it up on a cookie tray, and i plan to use it as fill material out back where i plan to put my garden (but not in the garden) since im looking for gems in ore, i like to tumble the gravels to smooth them out, since they are a little rough. i dont plan to polish them though, except maybe a 1/4, 1/2 mesh plus stuff. but, i screen everything down to 100 mesh minus, and it becomes a pretty nice clay like material, and hardens when dry to almost rock itself. im wanting to process it to make an actual clay material though, since it could be a nice use of my "waste" material from such a hobby, even if it isnt high quality clay of course. but, using even 6 barrels takes a while, so i want to get one of those 40 pound "production" size tumblers, just to process it through. i know im rambling a little, but back to the question, "what do You do with your waste slurry?"

[@MichiganRocks]

Be careful with slurry around plants if you use borax. Borax kills plants. Here's what I do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oF6WZmmPpquirpo

[@EddieSchirmer]

@@MichiganRocks Thanks!

[@جهاداحمد-م1ط]

very good

[@toddhill6396]

Those turned out great. Didn't you say a while back that there was an issue of some sort with Lot-O tumbler? We're thinking about getting one

[@MichiganRocks]

The motors they've been putting on lately are garbage. Some people are having them wear out after just a couple months. I think the warranty is only for one month. Read this for more details: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/100982/experience-lot-failed-motor

[@toddhill6396]

@@MichiganRocks thanks for the info. We just received our Kinsley North cabber and can't wait to start messing with that. Your videos have been very useful!

[@MichiganRocks]

@@toddhill6396 Have fun!

[@toddhill6396]

@@MichiganRocks thanks!

[@kellyhollingsworth6100]

I use a polish called M5 along with aluminum oxide, you should try some and let me know what you think. Very nice stones sir, have a great weekend. Congrats on your 100,000 award very nice.

[@MichiganRocks]

Where do you get M5?

[@kellyhollingsworth6100]

@@MichiganRocks Amazon, from Fundamental Rockhounding you only have to use 1/2 a TBS per pound

[@MichiganRocks]

@@kellyhollingsworth6100 Thanks, I'll check it out.

[@robbybobby64]

I have a container I put all my slurry into. It sits in there until the water is clear. The sediment settles to the bottom. I pour off the water. After the container gets to be half full I scoop it out and toss it in the trash.

[@mybackhurts7020]

I have a little spot out in my yard I dump it and it’s slowly starting to turn into a little colorful spot

[@robbybobby64]

@@mybackhurts7020 I live in a concrete jungle and have no lawn! Can’t dump it in the alley or the street.

[@MichiganRocks]

I do the same thing with my slurry. This winter, I started dumping it into one of those rectangular black tubs made for mixing cement in. It's wide and shallow so it dries out quicker and then I dump it in the trash dry.

[@brianholcomb940]

Really awesome results! I saw that you had other containers going in your tumbler cabinet, how do you keep track of them all? I have a hard time with just three! LOL! Your videos are so helpful for us beginners! Thanks for sharing!

[@MichiganRocks]

Those barrels are almost always tumbling in the rough stage and I do everything else in the Lot-O vibratory tumbler. Since they're all just doing the rough stage, I just empty them all on the weekend at the same time. Sam (my neighbor) has three or four of the barrels in there, so he usually comes over on Sunday and we do our clean outs together. I do get confused with what's in my two Lot-Os sometimes. I keep track of them on the whiteboard that sets on top of the big tumbler sometimes. In the Lot-O, not all the stages are the same length.

[@johnnybrown9505]

Man those rocks are so beautiful and that's a word I don't usually say when talking about rocks. Your tutorials make me want to buy a tumbler. I am a newbie so any suggestions on buying my first tumbler?

[@MichiganRocks]

I like Lortone rotary tumblers. My first was a Lortone 33B, and I think that was a good decision. The Rock Shed and Kingsley North are good places to buy. I have links to both places in the descriptions of all my videos.

[@christinawippel3441]

Please help! I need a vibratory that is less than $100. 2 microns is that 1500 aluminum oxide? Is it more important to get a different bowl for polish or should I get another for pre polish as well?

[@MichiganRocks]

@@christinawippel3441 I don't think a second bowl is all that important. Sometimes I finish mine in the same barrel I started with and I don't notice a difference. 2 micron is something like 8,000 grit. Buy either "aluminum oxide polish" from the Rock Shed or "micro alumina" from Kingsley North. Both are good and cheap. Links to those stores are in the description of this video. I don't know of any vibratory tumblers for less than $100. Be careful not to buy something designed for tumbling metal rather than rocks. Those won't hold up to tumbling rocks. The only vibratory number I have experience with is the Lot-O.

[@BossmanEight]

I always used barrel tumblers and never had to run any cycle more than a week, including obsidian. I also found that cerium oxide was a superior polish to aluminum oxide, not matter what material I was tumbling.

[@MichiganRocks]

That's interesting. I have heard that it's very hard to do in a rotary tumbler. Did yours turn out super shiny, or not quite as shiny as mine? I have never tumbled with cerium oxide, although I know it used to be the standard. It's really expensive now, so most people use aluminum oxide. Maybe that's the difference. Aluminum oxide might give the same shine, but takes longer to do it.

[@BossmanEight]

@@MichiganRocks Mine always turned out with a very high gloss. I filled the barrel about 3/4 full, no ceramic media, normal water, and was very generous with the cerium oxide. Heaping tablespoon in a 5 lb. barrel. Something like that. I haven't done lapidary in quite awhile as it went from a hobby to almost a job. (I'd ended up supplying finished material to a custom jeweler). Gave away all my equipment & never looked back. Sometimes I still miss it but it would be too expensive to start up again.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@BossmanEight I have never tumbled with cerium oxide since it's so expensive. I might have to give it a try with obsidian. Thanks for the tip!

[@doubleahomestead7794]

Off topic but a video in detail about your home made tumbler cabinet would be cool. Maybe it’s already on this channel and I missed it

[@MichiganRocks]

Here you go. These were a couple of my first videos: Homemade Tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKKslH5oj9Sbfa8 Tumbler Update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnKwgHaZZ6eBgK8

[@doubleahomestead7794]

@@MichiganRocks perfect. Thank you sir.

[@twelch8367]

Rob we found a rock near Grand Marais we couldn't find another one like it would like to show it to you we are near Grand rapids do you have a shop

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't have a shop. I just do KZbin videos. I live in Alpena.

[@claybowser698]

Two questions: Have you ever tried tumbling translucent noviculite with success? And do you have a video about you cabinet made custom rock tumbling racks? I'd be interested in building my own rock tumbling machine and I am so curious if noviculite tumbles well.

[@MichiganRocks]

I have never heard of noviculite, but I just did a little reading on it. Looks like it's a type of chert, and from everything I read, I would expect it to be very good for tumbling. The chert that I've tumbled in past polishes up very well. Here are two videos about my big tumbler: Homemade Tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKKslH5oj9Sbfa8 Tumbler Update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnKwgHaZZ6eBgK8

[@claybowser698]

@@MichiganRocks Thank you very much for responding. I really appreciate the videos. I recently purchased an Extreme Rebel 17 tumbler and I am now at day 2 of my first tumble. I have two pieces of noviculite in the tumbler now. Hopefully they come out well.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@claybowser698 I hope so too!

[@Nikkisavage100]

Wow, where did you buy the rough stones, I think we could make beautiful necklaces with these stones, beautiful!!

[@MichiganRocks]

I bought them at www.roughstone.rocks, but I think it was a couple years ago. I just looked and they don't carry them anymore, although they do have some other obsidian.

[@therocktumblerstudio2025]

Question. You started with 1/2 full of ceramics, even though you knew you had more stone than would fit. Was that to guarantee cushioning and less possibility for bruising? Or did you have another reason for so much ceramics at stage 2?

[@MichiganRocks]

It was as you said, to give them a very gentle ride. If you have a lot of really small pieces, like the ceramics, it's almost like a liquid in there, they just sort of flow.

[@obsidianace9976]

Is it only common for rotary tumblers to bulge or do vibratory tumblers bulge as well. I'm assuming they wouldn't because of how the lids go on?

[@MichiganRocks]

I don't think it's common for rotary tumblers to bulge. I've only had that happen a couple times. My vibratory tumbler does not have a tight fitting lid, so it wouldn't bulge. If anything, it might pop off. Whenever it has come off, it has been because a big rock pushes it off as it rolls by and sticks out of the hole. I put a rubber band over it for that reason.

[@karl264]

Great video. Just curious why only 1/2 teaspoon on the grit? I haven’t been using my vibe long but always use 2 teaspoons. I’d love to use less on regular rocks. Is it just a soft stone thing?

[@MichiganRocks]

Honestly, I'm not sure. I have always used this recipe for obsidian, and it hasn't let me down, so I just keep doing it. I imagine that with such soft rocks, there isn't a need for so much grit. Soft rocks don't break the grit down as fast, so it just keeps grinding.

[@nilzareckel1298]

Olá boa noite ficaram lindas 👏👏👏

[@robertjackson7971]

Can you do a video on how to use a vibratory rock tumbler

[@MichiganRocks]

I have done several. Here's one comparing a vibratory and a rotary tumbler: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4eWZKuLidCgiK8 This is a review of a Lot-O tumbler, where I also show how to use it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3THkH-Mr8eoetU This video is similar to the obsidian video where I start the rocks in a rotary tumbler and finish them in a vibratory tumbler. I tumbled more typical rocks in this video so this is the method I use for most everything. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nquVdmOuf754jbs

[@JR-vi4rl]

Rob, I'm currently tumbling a batch of obsidian in a rotary tumbler in stage one grit. I'm researching how to proceed after stage one. I like your process. A friend of mine said she uses corn cob media in a rotary tumbler for pre-polish and final polish. Have you tried that method?

[@MichiganRocks]

I have used that method in a vibratory tumbler for tumbling Petoskey stones. I have never tried corn cob in a rotary tumbler. I know of a couple people who have successfully rotary tumbled obsidian by doing ridiculously long runs in the final stages. I think they did like 2-3 weeks per grit. I have not tried this myself.

[@JR-vi4rl]

@@MichiganRocks Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think I'll just bite the bullet and get a vibratory tumbler. 😁

[@treybeedee6177]

I have a very large , 8 “ in circumference and approximately 7 “ long. A piece was taken off by a chisel and hammer( not by me ) but the inside is solid shiny black. The outside is completely white! Do you believe this is a type of obsidian?

[@MichiganRocks]

Could be. It's hard to tell from just a description. Are there conchoidal fractures? When you break a thick piece of glass, like obsidian or manmade glass, it breaks in a short of seashell shape.

[@patchandgo]

Would this all still be the same for a regular tumbler?

[@MichiganRocks]

No. I have never done them in a rotary tumbler, but I know a couple people who have. I don't know details, but I know they did extremely long runs in each stage.

[@davidhile5363]

I think I like the iridescent obsidian better than the transparent stuff, although both are really cool. Yesterday I emptied 2 three pound barrels of Petoskey stones that had tumbled for eight days. Apparently I didn’t put enough water in one of the barrels. There 2 groups of 3-4 rocks cemented together and another patch of them stuck to the side of the barrel. What a mess.

[@MichiganRocks]

I always double the water when doing Petoskeys. After four days the slurry can still be like pudding.

[@richardmcfarland4830]

Try the black sand tailgating from supoiur Gold paying as 200 -400 stage tumbling .after 7 days still have some grit to the slurry. Seames to work so far .4tbs.too 3lb. Barrel.

Queria uma máquina dessas

[@doobiecfoogle]

Would “viscous” be the word for the slurry? I’m a wanna be lexicologist, so I love words & word choices. Truly enjoy all your vids! Thanks so much for all your work. Love from Maine!!

[@MichiganRocks]

Maybe. It's more sticky than slimy. It has a very unusual feel to it. Most slurry is just sort of like mud. This is different.

[@mattandcarlanichols3152]

Thanks for the tutorial. I haven't tried this yet. I have one pound each of Snow Flake, Rainbow and Apache tears. I also have some Leland blue and Seibert agate which is slag from glass factories. I was going to try tumbling them together since I believe they are the same hardness. Have you tumbled Seibert agate before? Thank you for your tutorials.

[@MichiganRocks]

I just finished a video on Leland Blue that I did at the same time as this one. I won't release it for a few weeks since it's so similar. It turned out pretty good, although there was a lot of variation in the quality of the pieces I had. Leland Blue is slag from iron smelters, not glass factories, by the way. I have never heard of Seibert agate. I did a search for it and apparently Google hasn't either. Did you spell it correctly?

[@mattandcarlanichols3152]

@@MichiganRocks HI, I did misspell the word. Sieber agate is the correct spelling. Rough Stone llc has it in stocks. I Received some beautiful pieces from them. Some deep blue with some purple in it.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@mattandcarlanichols3152 Ok, I found it now. Looks pretty cool. Let me know how it tumbles, will you?

[@northernrocks543]

Your obsidian looks like Aurora borealis obsidian. Where did you get it from? I really like it and I don't have the green color. I have a hard time tumbling rainbow obsidian. I don't know when to stop the first stage to get the the maximum color out of the obsidian. I either tumble it to much or not enough.

[@MichiganRocks]

I got mine from www.roughstone.rocks. I bought it a year or two ago, though, so I don't know if they still have any.

[@Moocowthegreat]

Now stack it in a rectangle and ignite it. You can go to the nether to get some nether quarts

[@edcctf]

I counted 9 barrels in that tumbler.... do you write down when you put one in and where you put it to keep track or were they not all tumbling? (Great video as usual!!) :)

[@MichiganRocks]

Nope, those barrels are almost always tumbling in the rough stage and I do everything else in the Lot-O vibratory tumbler. Since they're all just doing the rough stage, I just empty them all on the weekend at the same time. Sam (my neighbor) has three or four of the barrels in there, so he usually comes over on Sunday and we do our clean outs together. I do get confused with what's in my two Lot-Os sometimes. I keep track of them on the whiteboard that sets on top of the big tumbler sometimes. In the Lot-O, not all the stages are the same length.

[@grokeffer6226]

👍👍👍

[@jocelynnebroderick2192]

I was wondering if you have some advice on tumbling labradorite? I put some through my natgeo tumbler with other stones and it seemed like it was doing ok, but it didn't shine and seemed to have gotten all scuffed up. I wonder if I should have used ceramic media at a couple stages.

[@MichiganRocks]

I tumbled a batch a few months ago and I wasn't impressed with my results. It has a lot of cleavage planes which is a big part of the problem. Mine turned out sort of shiny, but nothing like other rocks I tumble. I think it's just a really hard rock to tumble well. One of these days, I need to do a Rocks in a Box video on mine. I wish I had some better information for you.

[@jocelynnebroderick2192]

@@MichiganRocks I appreciate the info! Sounds like a tricky one to do! It’s too bad, they seem like they’d be gorgeous!

[@danielledavison4993]

Would love to get a Lot o Tumbler but sadly, they are out of stock everywhere. Evidently there is an issue getting motors for them.

[@MichiganRocks]

The issue is that the motors are terrible on the new ones. They were also having trouble getting springs, but I don't know if that problem has been solved yet.

[@danielledavison4993]

@@MichiganRocks according to Kingsley North, not yet.

[@pinkfrog8686]

Last March my husband and I went to Arizona. We visited legends of superior Trail. There is a cave that we mind. The Apache tears are covered with perlite, they are all one shape round and translucent. Then we headed to Burro Creek Arizona. On our way there we had to stop at camping world. We met some people that had already been and told us where we could find more Apache tears. Walking around we seen a lot of black stones on the ground but they were nothing like what we found at the cave so we didn’t think that it was Apache tears. I was getting frustrated so I did a test and broke a piece off. Sure enough it’s Apache tears. The shapes are different than what we found in the perlite. Some have white and dusty tan hard layers all over them and they are not translucent. You can’t walk without stepping on Apache tears. So, my husbands theory is the perlite is keeping the sun from baking them? Any way I’ve been polishing them just like you did in the video and they are my favorite to polish. Now I need some snowflake obsidian 😊 Oh yeah the slurry is so weird.

[@MichiganRocks]

I was more surprised that the batch I did in this video were more oddly shaped. After doing that previous batch, I was under the impression that they were always more rounded. I'd love to go to a place like that where you can just pick a bunch up off the ground.

[@kirstencorby8465]

The new batch looks like Silver Sheen Obsidian to me. Obsidian is one of my favorites.

[@MichiganRocks]

Yeah, it's not Apache Tears. I didn't realize that they come from a specific place. I always thought they were just small obsidian nodules. These were sold to me as Apache Tears.

[@kirstencorby8465]

@@MichiganRocks An Apache Tear necklace was the first gemstone I ever bought, at a craft fair when I was a kid. I love them. There's a lot of misnaming in the mineral market I'm sure.

[@kirstencorby8465]

@@MichiganRocks They ufo have a unique property of looking dead black, but being very translucent when you hold them up to the light.

[@colotzin9]

I own a Lortone 33B, and since I haven't been lucky enough to get a vibratory tumbler, I was wondering if you've tumbled Obsidian using only a rotary for all the four stages. If so, what tips can you provide? Or should I just wait to get a vibratory tumbler for the 3 remaining stages?Thanks in advance for the insight, and as always, awesome videos!

[@MichiganRocks]

As I said at the end of the video, I haven't tumbled it in a rotary tumbler, but I know a couple people who have. They both tumbled it for very long periods in each stage after the first and both got good results. Think they did several weeks on each stage, but I'm not sure exactly how long.

[@colotzin9]

@@MichiganRocks yes, I thought perhaps you've tried before and they came out shattered or broken, which is what I'm afraid it'll happen.

[@MichiganRocks]

@@colotzin9 No, I wouldn't be afraid of that. They didn't break in the coarse stage.

[@colotzin9]

@@MichiganRocks Thank you for the input.