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How to Identify Tumbled Gemstones

Tumbled gemstones are semi-precious rock fragments that have gone through a rock tumbler with tumbling grit and water for over 24 hours. After the tumbling, the stones go through a polishing process that lasts for seven days. Tiger's eye, feldspar, chalcedony, opal and obsidian are some of the most common gemstones that are tumbled. The end results are ready to be used as decorations or in fish bowls, crafts or jewelry. If you have a stone that you think may be a polished gemstone, a few tactile tests can help determine if what you have is a collectible or just a rock.

Instructions

- 1
  Roll the stone around in your hand and pay attention to its texture. If you have a non-tumbled stone, it will look and feel rough and may have sharp, jagged edges. Tumbled stones are smooth and have rounded edges.
- 2
  Look at the color of the stone. If the stone has not been tumbled, it will look dull and will have a muted or grayish hue. Tumbled stones have vivid colors and a surface that is shiny.
- 3
  Inspect the stone in natural sunlight. Non-tumbled stones still have glimmering metallic sparkles, while tumbled and polished stones do not.
- 4
  Analyze the results of the tests you just performed. If your stone is rough and dull with metallic flakes, you likely have a non-tumbled stone. If it is smooth, vivid and polished, there is a good chance you have a tumbled stone.
  
  You can sell your stone, make it into a nice necklace or carry it in your pocket for good luck. If you ended up with a non-tumbled stone, you should consider buying a rock tumbler to make it a more beautiful piece of nature.

Rock Collecting