What Is Rock Tumbling and How Do You Do It?!

[@lexstariadementia5086]

I used to just collect rocks and put baby oil on them, but my 5yr daughter and I loved your rock tumbler videos so much that I bought my own tumbler for us 😂

[@AgateAriel]

That's so awesome! I hope you and your daughter have a blast with it!

[@lexstariadementia5086]

She can't wait to see the first batch done. It's a test in patience for both of us. 😅

[@minerjohnny41]

Over the last 3 years of your channel, your content has remained educational, rewarding, and fun .... you're an amazing person and content creator.... keep up the great work 👍

[@AgateAriel]

Thank you so much! It means a lot to me!

[@minerjohnny41]

@AgateAriel you're welcome, I just wish I found your channel sooner ... lots of watching left to do ... and I'm learning how to identify my agate collection while going

[@brianwilliams6781]

Your joke about putting them in containers and having them for parties that you never get invited to was the best part of the whole video. It made me laugh out loud!

[@MoonWitch77]

I just got a rock tumbler for my 5 & 7 yr old grand-babies for Christmas. And I love it as much or more than they do ! Didn’t realize how long the process takes but it’s so cool. And yes, I bought the National Geographic tumbler for beginners. It’s the biggest one they had, 3lb barrel. I bought the one that came with the gem foam. But when it came to buy more grit, I bought the PolyPlastics. So glad I made the right choice ! And I also got the ceramic pellets. I have been collecting rocks for about 15 years. Why I barely bought a rock tumbler just now is beyond me, but trust, I’m going to go to Harbor Freight to get another one ! At least I won’t have to buy rocks to put in the tumbler, so one less thing to buy. 😂 I’m so glad I found your channel. I love it ! Wasn’t even looking for it, but you found me ! 😂😂😂

[@tbga1970]

Your personality is as beautiful as the rocks you create. You should be on tv. Definitely getting the Harbor Fright tumbler this week. Thanks!

[@canaahawke2269]

My maternal grandfather was a rockhound and amateur lapidary and your videos remind me of him, he had such enthusiasm for his stones and his tools. Sadly my aunt, who was never into rocks, got hold of his equipment when he was in decline and gave it away, even tho my mom and I would have loved to have it. But I have a lovely fire opal necklace he dug, cut, and polished himself, at least!

[@nickitoff9629]

What a great tutorial! I've been tumbling for years and love it. You are definitely the "Queen of Rock Tumbling". I enjoy your attention to detail leading to perfectly tumbled gems. Thanks for sharing!

[@AgateAriel]

Aw that means so much to me! You are too kind!

[@lexstariadementia5086]

I am now a proud owner of my very first rock tumbler. So excited 🎉

[@AgateAriel]

That is awesome! I hope you love it!

[@rafgameclips]

niiccceee

[@LewisKennedy-t4w]

Sameee😊

[@dand7052]

Well done Ariel. I highly recommend 'Highland Park Lapidary' for tumblers. Unlike the impressive 'Lortone', the Highland Park units have no belts to replace, they are direct drive. The motors are not warm/hot running 110V A/C. They are a stepped-down 24V D/C motor, which stay cool and can run 24/7 for a year and cost you very little in electricity. Another suggestion if I may; 1,200 aluminum oxide isn't much of a polish. You may get a much better finish by using no less than 8,000 to 14,000 aluminum oxide. For harder rocks like agates etc in the 1st stage, perhaps use a more aggressive grit like 45/70 or even 30 grit. If you can't afford a sonic vibrator to clean the rocks at the end, try tumbling with ground walnut shells after the polish grit stage. Just suggestions, hope it helps someone out there.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh I will have to look into that! I’m always looking for good quality tumblers! Also yes! I have been meaning to try a higher polishing stage I will have to do that soon!

[@rafgameclips]

NEVER GONNA MISS A AGATE ARIEL UPLOAD!!!

[@AgateAriel]

Heck yeah! 😎

[@gotredeemed]

Beautiful rocks add charm to life. Thanks Ariel.

[@Ellwynnnnn]

Cant understand why people don't understand this hobby! I have a tray of polished agates next to my bed and spend *literal* hours looking at them with a coin-magnifier lol. I feel that people here will understand the joy this brings me. I also collect rocks from the landscaping outside my flat, look at them with my scope and sort them into different categories (red rocks, small cool rocks, larger cool rocks, ok rocks) and keep them in jars around the house. lol I'm leaning into the things that make me happy

[@jillianlemons1809]

My boyfriend and I are looking to collect our own stones for engagement rings and I was wondering if you had any recommendations on where to start with that journey?

[@amandaswanson2524]

My son got me the Nat Geo rock tumbler for Christmas. I went out to get the one from Harbor Freight. I have now a Christmas batch tumbling and one in the new machine. I am a newbie but gonna love my new hobby. Growing up around a gravel pit started my love of rocks.

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

Great shine on your stones ❤

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

Great video. I love polishing rocks. I have a large home built Rock tumbler, and I've just bought a vibe tumbler, I love it. The aquarium gravel is great to use . I make pendants from my polished stones. I also have bowls around my house 😂😂

[@Jaari-b9s]

Make a ply wood cover and line the inside with dynamat or killamat sound deadening sheeting , it's sticks on and maybe a few holes for ventilation .

[@AgateAriel]

That is such a great idea! I'm going to have to try that out!

[@Jaari-b9s]

@AgateAriel I think even a roll or two of thousand a mile an hour tape would have the same effect as it's just a foil with an asphalt backing killamat etc I'm trying to remember what the stuff on the role was called I think they use it to sealing around roofing and chimneys and stuff the peel the plastic off and it leaves the black asphalt stuff / aluminum behind behind but even a plastic container lined with that would probably work

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

That’s what I love about the hobby. I mean obsessed over😅

[@dough1968GMC]

Just started my Tumbling journey just a couple months ago.... Am Soooo Glad I have you to follow!!! Love your channel!!! (And you) ❤❤

[@AgateAriel]

Thank you so much!

[@dough1968GMC]

@@AgateAriel Kepp making the Great vids! You have the BEST Energy Ever!!! If I feel kinda low, I watch you and am smiling! Thank You!!!

[@ricshaw4358]

This was fascinating!

[@brianlazar]

between each stage, I thoroughly clean the stones and barrels and then do a water/dawn wash tumble for about 2 to 3 hours on the slowest speed possible. Then put them in an ultrasonic for 2+ 15 minute cycles before moving onto the next phase. Got the ultrasonic idea from you.

[@deploythesmallone]

I recently discovered your channel, and as a fellow Minnesotan, it has been so much fun learning more about the rocks we have around! I spent most of my childhood focused on fossil hunting, but loved looking for agates in our gravel driveway when we lived up in Cloquet. Now I just need the weather to warm up so I can go rock-hounding with all the new skills I've picked up from your videos! I don't have a tumbler (yet...), but I wonder if the same kind of isolation pad that they make for subwoofers might help reduce the noise? 🤔

[@time_for_stones]

Now I start also the tumbling 🙂Kind regards!!

[@WibblyMart]

I put my tumbler on a couple folded-in-half bathroom rugs(fuzzy top, rubbery bottom) inside a tall cooler. I keep mine in my craft studio. It's quieter than the washing machine, I dontbhear it all when the doors closed

[@ronaleck9777]

Pretty Awesome video , Sounds like something I could spend time on , thank you for all the imformation

[@AgateAriel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sandmaker]

I'm glad your back. Wonderful video on how to tumble rocks. Thank you! I missed the spund effects.😂 😷⚒️

[@manontolvander6083]

When I feel down, I wach your video's. So cool to see how you tuble your rocks. love it, thank you very much Ariel. Greetings from The Netherlands

[@petergarayt9634]

Thanks for this. Sixty nine and a rock guy .looking for more things to do at home. I'm in Ontario and most of my favorite rocks are from Superior's north shore.

[@Birchstar444]

When I was a little girl I used to collect rocks when my family went anywhere and put them in the pockets of my dresses. Lots of my dresses had ripped pockets because I put too many in there. My mom also says that the back seats of the family car was always full of rocks rolling around in the foot areas. One year I got a rock tumbler for Christmas but after my parents discovered how loud it was it disappeared. I have always kept lots of rocks around. Maybe I can go to the agate festival that you mentioned because I also live in Minnesota - thank you for mentioning it!

[@alialiraqi8010]

I love stones

[@whitesabre9974]

Being an all organic gardener, what does one do with the bucket full of rinse water and medium? Compost or? Really enjoy your videos.🌷🌷

[@woodnettle]

Great video, I bought the Harbor Freight tumbler for my grandson for christmas. I am a little confused though with the tablespoon and teaspoons ratios as they seem to be mixed up in the video to me. Could you please clarify, I would really appreciate that. Please and thank you very much. My grandson wants to be a geologist when he grows up and he watches your videos as well.

[@AgateAriel]

Yes! It is 1 tbsp per pound of rocks! I also have some steps in my video description that can help!

[@woodnettle]

@@AgateAriel Thank you so so much.

[@d.b.sorensen827]

Great video,I am 72 and just started tumbling as a retirement hobby, I am curious if you have found a good source of glue on jewelry findings of all different kinds I know Kingsley north has some but are there any other good sources?I have also started using a cerium oxide 8000 grit 5th step 😊try it you will love it! I also put my tumbler in an old BBQ grill outside ,just close the lid and it is quiet and protected from weather😊 love the videos keep up the good work 👍

[@Jaari-b9s]

Oh the green one was just beautiful ❤ I'm sorry but I wish I could afford to still be a patron , have you ever thought of a lower tier ?

[@AgateAriel]

I was actually thinking about that! I think I am going to lower the prices of the first tier!

[@Jaari-b9s]

@AgateAriel yeah we're paying over $2,000 a month rent so it really doesn't leave anything it's like great we paid the rent now we got a place to starve lol

[@danlonganecker]

It takes to long, but I still do it. Lol Your videos are great information. ✌️🇺🇸

[@triple_A_rockhound]

iv tumbble slabs like Picture jasper & agates & lava glass they always come out Cool👍

[@michaelc6817]

For the softer stones (really any stones), you probably should go to aluminum oxide for stage 3 vs. silicon carbide. Also, 1200 grit aluminum oxide is really more like a "pre-polish". Go with something more like 8K grit for your polish, with possibly a run with the 1200 as a pre--polish. The Rockshed grit and polish is much better than what you are showing in your video. The quality of the grit and polish is very important, as you found out with the stuff that comes with NatGeo.

[@miguelgomez-tn1rp]

I also have a snowflake obsidian.(little note for agate Ariel)I also collect crystals and rocks my favorite ones are geodes and amethyst

[@jayscore7182]

Great tips! I just started posting tumbling content on tik tok for fun!

[@edquier40]

I like to take my polished rejects back to the beach walk and leave them for the kids to find.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh I love that idea!!

[@edquier40]

@@AgateAriel Thank you! Have a beautiful Morning!

[@deusvult7559]

SUBSCRIBED!!!!! New rockhound here...Would that be a rockpup? Anyway, I used to be a jeweler so ultra sonics and tumblers aren't new to me but sniffing around for cool rocks is so here I am. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and I'm looking forward to a lot of future content!

[@newdonktimes2034]

My first tumbler was the National Geographic one. And was disappointed with the results. Got a new tumbler and grit still disappointed. Until I found this channel it’s been a huge help my rocks came out shiny. Now I just need to find rocks the downside is I live in salt lake and have no idea where to look for rocks.

[@AgateAriel]

That is so frustrating! I know the feeling! I’m so glad I could help!

[@getlosttoday4045]

We use sackorange brand of grit. They each come with their own table spoon.

[@RyanWeishalla]

Very enjoyable video. I'm one who doesn't need the baby smooth rocks when tumbling. Definitely enjoyable trying to tumble different varieties. Have you considered getting a vibratory tumbler to do your last two or three stages in instead of the rotary?

[@Haileyjays]

Love this video! I seen that Temu is selling tumblers and grit, could you do a review on them compared to the high quality brand ones?

[@AgateAriel]

Great suggestion! Yes I will!

[@Haileyjays]

That would be so awesome!

[@kylegawron5358]

I have a rock tumbler but i have a bunch of malawi agates that I want to polish the cut side leaving the rest alone.

[@GLORYKNG]

What are your thoughts on rock identifying apps for your phone?

[@suzscully]

Yay!!!

[@teresajohnson5063]

Great video but....At 11:07, you are talking about redoing stage 1 since you want smoother rocks. The picture shows ceramic media being included. But at the beginning of the video, you told viewers not to use ceramic media for stage 1. You may want to clarify.

[@paintedcrow]

I'm not Ariel, but here's one explanation... You may need to run stage 1 over and over sometimes, trying to get the pits and fractures out of your more stubborn rocks. But every time you run the process, you lose some of the rocks' mass as the surface gets ground into the slurry. Which means if you're running stage 1 for the third or fourth time, you might only have enough rock to fill half the barrel rather than the ideal 2/3 to 3/4. That's what ceramic media is for-to pad it out so there's enough stuff in there to tumble properly, even as you go through later stages (or repeats of stage 1). You could also just add more rough rock, since it's stage 1... but there's a caveat. Usually you want each barrel/batch you run to have only rocks of similar hardness, so they're kind of the same type, and sometimes you don't have more of the same on hand. For example, you can generally mix and match different kinds of agates, jaspers, chert, and quartz in the same batch-they're hard enough to not be too picky. But if you're running a barrel full of something like labradorite or sodalite, those are softer and more easily scratched/broken, so you can't just throw any old rock in with them as filler. Ceramics will play nice with basically any other rocks you're tumbling: they don't have super rough textures that might damage your other stones, and they don't tend to break in half and reveal sharp edges in the tumbler like rocks sometimes can. Usually you don't want filler the first time you run a batch in stage 1 though. You just want to add as many rocks as possible-you're not too worried about protecting and cushioning them yet while they're being shaped. But if you only had 2 lbs of a specific type/hardness of rock and a 3 lb barrel, you could use it. Hope that helps! ❤

[@clintonevans2226]

It's great you cover everything so well. Makes it so much easier to do...I guess...I haven't done it...maybe I should. Ok, 2025 I'm getting a rock tumbler and I hope it somehow magically imbues me with the bright happiness and zest for minerals that exude from you so freely. Hope you have a good 2025, thanks for the content. Appreciated.

[@createdbycathy]

I'm wondering if you have tested using gem foam after the last polishing stage and if it improves the shine or if it's not worth buying the foam.

[@StepAntObe]

By the way... for PolyPlastics... I've learned that little lid cover under the lid is one tablespoon when level.

[@AgateAriel]

What that is so cool!

[@Kotikylänkivet]

Rock tumbling ❤👍

[@potatomuncher8659]

God I always wanted to rock tumble I have an obsession with rocks ....since I can walk....I should invest in one 😂

[@Steve-zo3xm]

Hi Ariel, I have been looking for a slab saw to do the same thing you are doing. Any suggestions on what features are necessary, so I do not purchase the wrong saw. Thank you

[@bmeetze]

Can you ever reuse the grit and ceramic medium? Thanks!

[@StepAntObe]

grit - NO. ceramic medium, yes. Once the grit has done it's think it "slurries" with the water. can't seperate it.

[@paintedcrow]

Both of those break down during the tumbling process. Grit breaks down after one tumble and sort of dissolves into the water/slurry, while ceramics take a good handful of tumbles before they're totally worn out. The fishtank gravel Ariel's using is really similar to the ceramics; you can get multiple uses out of it. Because grit breaks down so (comparatively) quickly, some people actually like to rinse off their rocks halfway through stage 1 and replace the grit. Like, instead of running the tumbler nonstop for 2 weeks in stage 1, they'll stop it after 1 week and rinse everything off and use fresh grit. That's why you can't reuse it-it's not indestructible, it gets used up.

[@timothybeam1330]

One way to cut down on the noise from a tumbler is to place it on a concrete floor instead of a table or workbench.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh that’s a good one!

[@nicholcrancer7181]

So you're saying for the last stage you want to let them run for 2 weeks what if the stones are soft. Because I have some soft stones that I can't seem to get some polish on them does matter how much I try I can't get them to shine any ideas that you might have would be great thank you

[@JimKoen-g5r]

Great job. Just curious, are you a geologist?

[@dannil9878]

Can you make a full time job from rock tumbling?

[@paintedcrow]

Some people have Etsy shops or online stores, but I don't know how much they make. From personal experience, Etsy does tend to nickel-and-dime you out of your profits with lots of fees. I guess it depends what else you're doing with the rocks! If you're just rock tumbling then probably not. If you make jewelry from them, then you'll get a better profit margin because that's more skilled work. And probably anything can be a living if enough people are interested in learning about it and you can make a KZbin channel and/or an online course about it, but then you need videography and editing skills. Good luck either way though!

[@jiawang1809]

Do you guys have good rockhounding spots in California? (Also got an agate)

[@mikepanick468]

Just starting, and I find the NatGo tumbler works very well for stage i. It is faster than other tumblers and I am finding grit pretty much broken down after 3-4 days. You can do in 3 days what takes a week in other tumblers.

[@haleyconant]

Me starting my kid's National Geographic tumbler with their grit and Ariel telling me not to use National Geographic grit at all costs 💀

[@MontanaKat1912]

The bad thing for me, I live in an apartment. Quiet time is at 10pm. We can't make any loud sounds. I would have to turn my tumbler off close to 10pm.

[@Hellokity6080]

Hi how you enter giveaway

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

wow and zamzam water

[@nunyatd]

FYI If you live in America the rock shed is the place to buy. Very cheap prices. If you live in Canada this is not the place for us. The shipping is insainly expensive to get to any of the provinces Just thought I'd let people no who are Canadian and watching your KZbin video✌️

[@Notyobusiness11111]

Have you ever tumbled anything that could possibly be dangerous like something with radioactive elements or rocks that could contain toxic metals? Just curious about the odd adventures you've gone through!

[@ΚΩΣΤΑΣΠΑΠΑΤΡΕΧΑΣ]

Very interesting channel 👍 🫡🫡💯💯

[@Lotuph]

Wait-- don't get nat geo's grit?! I just ordered it like, yesterday before i saw this video D: /panic

[@Peaceful_Rayne]

I don't have a tumbler/can't afford to do it. Can I just send you some to do it for me? 😂

[@StepAntObe]

Wht tumble rocks? Because hurling them at enemies is not legal.

[@Hythyr]

LOL!

[@CRIMELAB357]

I would love see hematite rock tumbled❤

[@jayscore7182]

Oh btw you're invited to my party!

[@SoapUniverse]

Great video, Ariel! I’m definitely stealing that aquarium gravel idea. Do you still end up with that weird waxy stuff that washes off them? Also, if anyone owns a Nat Geo tumbler that spins too quickly, you can fix it by using a 12v dimmer switch that you can attach between the power cord and the tumbler. Then just adjust the speed until it takes 2 seconds to rotate (30rpm)!

[@AgateAriel]

Yes the weird waxy stuff just washes off! Also great idea for the nat geo tumbler! I will have to try that!

[@nicholcrancer7181]

I put mine under the the bathroom sink

[@triple_A_rockhound]

i have my 2 tumblers in my bath under the sink Moles dont like it 🤣

[@thumper7047]

You get that shine with 1200 Aluminum Oxide? That seems more like a pre-polish. even 1500 seems a bit course. 5000, 8000 or even 12000 grit Aluminum Oxide if you want to get serious.

[@daveevely2507]

I would invite you to any ov my parties ,

[@PxNxWxGxW]

"You can show them at parties that you don't get invited to " 😂

[@CKCO13]

You keep saying that it's a 2 pound barrel....isn't it actually a 3 pound barrel that's 2/3 full? You also might be confusing people by your "b" reel showing you rinsing the stones with ceramic media in it. Also cheaper than bought pebbles is free beach pebbles.

[@JohnnnyJohn]

Ariel must be terrible to bake with.