Find Good
Rocks for Tumbling
Purchasing a good rock tumbler is a dream come true for anyone who loves the beauty of tumbled stones and the joy of do-it-yourself. After getting a tumbler, however, comes the task of figuring out where to find good rocks for tumbling. To find good candidates for your collection, you will need to know some of the basics of good tumbling-stone makeup and varieties, as well as good locations for searching.
Instructions
1. Know what properties make for a good tumbling stone. Look for stones that are hard enough that they don't shatter or crumble when dropped or ground against other rocks, so that they'll withstand the tumbling. Seek stones that have the fewest uneven points or have already been somewhat worn down, so that they'll lose the least size during tumbling. Most of all, look for attractive and interesting rocks, especially those that look nice when wet (often a good predictor of how rocks will look when tumbled). Avoid rough or sandy rocks and look for rocks of crystalline material.
2. Familiarize yourself with common semi-precious stones that are often tumbled. Some of the most desirable rocks are semi-precious gem stones, among them being types of quartz, agate, jasper or petrified wood. If you're used to seeing these kinds of stones in tumbled or cut forms, look at some pictures of rough examples, what's on the shelves at a nearby mineral store, or displays at a natural history museum.
3. Learn what kinds of semi-precious stone are available in your area. The geology that formed your local environment will affect the selection of stones in your area. For example, if you live in or near mountains, you'll more likely find volcanic rocks (like jasper) while agates are more often found near lakes. Check out a rock-hunting directory to find good hunting grounds in your area.
Tags: find good, stones that, that they, your area, Good Rocks, Rocks Tumbling, semi-precious stones
