For more delicate stones or those you want to retain their basic shapes, a vibratory tumbler is best’it is also fast, which is a bonus.īut for those you want more rounded, a rotary tumbler is better. An example of this can be seen to the right.Īs you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages with both types of tumblers. The friction will smooth out the rocks, but they retain their basic shape instead of wearing into a rounded shape. You place the stones inside with water and some grit, and the bowl vibrates. Instead of a barrel, a vibratory tumbler has a bowl. The rubber is what keeps a rotary tumbler quiet and durable. The plastic machines made for children work the same way, but they are loud and cheap because of their materials. You can tumble a couple of pounds of rocks at one time. The motor on the machine turns the barrels, and the rocks wear against each other until they are smooth. The additional barrels let you manage multiple batches at different stages or select different settings for specific types of rock. With a rotary tumbler, you place your rocks into one or more barrels. You will spend closer to $80 for a rotary tumbler. They are also more expensive, running around $200. Instead they are smooth, but stay angular. Vibratory tumblers are a bit less popular they are faster at what they do (1-2 weeks), but the stones do not come out rounded. With these tumblers, it takes about six weeks to process a batch of rocks, but they come out smooth and rounded. They are the most popular choice for new and veteran hobbyists. Rotary tumblers with soft rubber barrels and a frame made of metal are quiet and have a long lifetime if well cared for. They are less expensive though, and may offer you a starting point to decide if rock tumbling is for you and whether you should invest in a rotary tumbler or a vibratory tumbler. These tumblers are cheap, wear out quickly, and operate loudly. Rock tumblers are also available for children. These are called rotary rock tumblers and vibratory rock tumblers. The majority of gemstone hobbyists use one of two different types of rock tumblers. Have you ever wondered how gemstones which start out as the rough rocks you find outdoors turn into these shiny, colorful polished stones? You can actually achieve this entire effect yourself at home with the aid of a rock tumbler. These stones are very smooth, almost glassy in their texture, and the smoothness helps to bring out their underlying patterns or hues. Rock Tumbling Guide Part 1: Buying a Rock TumblerĪnyone who has ever visited a rock shop has seen the beautiful, polished semi-precious gems which are typically offered for sale.

3 phase industrial rock tubbler