If you are a newcomer to the beloved world of rocks, you might find yourself excited to find all kinds of rocks to throw into your tumbler. However, it is important for you to know that not all stones will fare the same. That is why it can be disappointing to open your tumbler with anticipation only to find dull rocks that haven’t changed much. As such, it helps to know some of the criteria for the best rocks to put into your tumbler.
Jasper
You can run into trouble when tumbling your rocks if you choose a soft rock. Soft rocks will not fare well in your tumbler, so it is best to go with a hardiness of around five to eight. With that in mind, jasper is a great rock to put into your tumbler and a popular option amongst enthusiasts. It polishes extremely well with a hardiness of 6.5 to reveal opaque mixtures of warm hues such as yellow, orange, brown, and red.
Amethyst
While you likely have loved rocks your whole life, you might be entirely new to rock tumbling. It is certainly normal to feel a little anxious excitement when you don’t know what to expect from your rotary tumbler. One of the main things you should know is that this process is a labor of love that can take weeks. That is why you should choose amethyst to work with, as its gorgeous purple makes the wait worth it.
The best part is that amethyst and aventurine are varieties of quartz, which is the most plentiful mineral on Earth. In fact, when you hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it will be quite easy to find quartz. This stone is abundant in this area, so you can easily find a couple of rocks on your way to toss into your tumbler later.
Aventurine
As you search for the best rocks to put into your tumbler, you must ensure that the rocks have no visible pores. You want a solid rock like aventurine that won’t scratch up and destroy the other stones in your tumbler. Many people love tumbling aventurine as it provides a little showstopper upon its unveiling. When you turn it in a certain light, you will be able to see that it has a shimmery, glittering quality to it that you can’t help but love.
Image credit: file # Bowl of Amethyst in Wood Frame By Serena Tayyan