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Things You'll Need
Instructions
Select enough stones to fill at least 3/4 of the stone tumbler's barrel. Check each stone by scratching it with a knife. If the knife leaves a white powdery trail then the stone is too soft to polish and should be discarded. If the knife leaves a metallic trail then the stone is harder than the knife and is suitable for polishing.
Fill the tumbler at least 3/4 full and pour in one heaping spoonful of 80-grit silicon carbide powder. This will be the grit that does most of the heavy lifting in polishing and smoothing your natural stones. Add water until it is just over the top of the stones in the tumbler. Do not overfill the tumbler.
Plug your tumbler into an outlet and turn it on. Allow the tumbler to run for at least three days if you are polishing small pebbles or up to ten days if you are polishing larger and more jagged stones. The stones should be well rounded after this step and considerably smoother than in their natural state.
Dump out the water and grit solution. Clean both the stones and the tumbler in running water. Put the stones back into the tumbler and repeat the above steps using 220-grit silicone carbide. Run the tumbler for at least 5 days before proceeding onto the next step.
Wash your stones and the tumbler. The stones should be noticeably smoother than before. Replace stones in the tumbler, fill with water to just above the stones and pour in the 400-grit silicone carbide. Allow the tumbler to run for at least 7 days.
Wash your stones and the tumbler, being extra careful not to scratch or gouge the stones. The stones will be very smooth and ready for the final step. Check all of the stones and discard any which are chipped or cracked, as well as any small pieces of stone which might interfere with the final polish.
Put the stones back in the tumbler and fill with water to just above the stones. Add one tablespoon of cerium oxide to the mixture. Turn the tumbler on and let it continue for at least seven days until your stones are properly polished. Remove the stones from the tumbler and thoroughly clean the stones and the tumbler.