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How to Tumble Labradorite in a Rock Tumbler

First discovered in Labrador, Canada, labradorite is a mineral also found in areas such as Madagascar and Russia. Often described as iridescent and glittery, labradorite's appeal is the mineral's ability to change color depending on the angle of light refraction. Labradorite prominently features varying shades of green, blue and amber colors. Unpolished, labradorite appears to glitter when wet or in certain light settings. When tumbled correctly in a rock tumbler, labradorite polishes to a high-gloss finish and is often used in jewelry and decoration. Polishing labradorite in a rotary rock tumbler is much like polishing other stones and minerals. Closely follow each step of the tumbling process to ensure that your labradorite tumbles and polishes correctly.

Things You'll Need

60/90 grit
100/220 grit
Prepolish
Polish
Paper towels or cloth
Colander
Hose

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the tumbling barrel from the tumbler. Wash the barrel out thoroughly with warm soap and water. Dry the barrel with a clean, dry cloth or paper towels.
- 2
  Fill the barrel halfway with labradorite mineral. Add enough water to almost cover the top layer of labradorite in the barrel.
- 3
  Add the appropriate amount of 60/90 grit to the barrel. For a 3-lb. barrel, add 4 tbsp. of grit. A 6-lb. barrel takes 10 tbsp. of grit and a 12-lb. barrel takes 20 tbsp. of grit.
- 4
  Seal the lid tightly onto the barrel and place the barrel back onto the tumbler. Ensure that the barrel is correctly and securely connected to the tumbler. Turn the tumbler on.
- 5
  Leave the tumbler on 24 hours a day for seven days. On day two and again on day five, stop the tumbler and remove the barrel. Open the barrel lid to release gas buildup from the labradorite. Put the lid back on the barrel. Return the barrel to the tumbler. Continue tumbling the labradorite.
- 6
  Turn the tumbler off on day seven. Remove the barrel from the tumbler. Remove the lid from the barrel. Empty the barrel contents into a colander.
- 7
  Rinse the grit mixture off the labradorite, barrel and lid thoroughly with a hose and dish soap. Inspect each labradorite piece for cracks or large pits. Discard any pitted or cracked pieces.
- 8
  Return the labradorite to the barrel. Fill the barrel with enough water to almost cover the minerals. Add a packet of 120/220 fine grit to the barrel. Use 4 tbsp. of grit for a 3-lb. barrel, 10 tbsp. for a 6-lb. barrel and 20 tbsp. for a 12-lb. barrel.
- 9
  Return the lid to the barrel and tightly close it. Return the barrel to the tumbler. Turn the tumbler on and run it 24 hours a day for seven days.
- 10
  Turn off the tumbler after seven days and remove the barrel. Remove the lid and pour the barrel contents into a colander. Thoroughly wash the contents, lid and barrel with soap and water. Return the labradorite to the barrel. Ensure there is enough labradorite to fill the barrel halfway. Add plastic tumbling pellets if the barrel is not at the proper capacity.
- 11
  Add enough water to the barrel to almost cover the top layer of labradorite. Add prepolish grit to the barrel. Add 5 tbsp. for a 3-lb. barrel, 12 tbsp. for a 6-lb. barrel and 24 tbsp. for a 12-lb. barrel.
- 12
  Return the lid to the barrel and close it tightly. Return the barrel to the tumbler. Turn the tumbler on and run it for 24 hours every day for seven days.
- 13
  Turn off the tumbler and remove the barrel and the lid. Empty the contents of the barrel into the colander. Clean the labradorite, barrel and lid with soap and water. Return the labradorite to the barrel. Add plastic pellets to ensure the barrel is filled halfway. Add enough water to almost cover the top layer of pellets.
- 14
  Add polish to the tumbler. Add 5 tbsp. for a 3-lb. tumbler, 12 tbsp. for a 6-lb. tumbler and 24 tbsp. for a 12-lb. tumbler. Return the lid to the barrel and close it tightly. Return the barrel to the tumbler. Turn the tumbler on and run it nonstop for ten days.
- 15
  Turn off the tumbler on the tenth day. Remove the barrel and the lid. Empty the contents into a colander and wash the polished labradorite with soap and water.

Rocks & Minerals