How to Tumble Fluorite

Smoothing Fluorite

• 1

  Sort the fluorite to be tumbled. Examine each piece to verify it contains no pits or cracks that will trap grit. Use approximately 1-inch fluorite pieces similar in shape and size. The more similar the pieces the less they will grind against each other and cause cracks or cleavage. You can use up to 3-inch pieces, but only tumble one or two large pieces together.

• 2

  Fill the barrel of a 3-pound vibratory tumbler one-half to three-fourths full with a 50/50 mixture of fluorite and plastic pellets. The plastic pellets will help cushion the fluorite and prevent it from pulverizing.

• 3

  Add 4 tbsp. of coarse grit and then enough water to reach the bottom of the top layer of fluorite and plastic pellets.

• 4

  Wipe of the rim of the barrel and secure the lid tightly.

• 5

  Place the barrel on the vibratory tumbler and turn it on. Watch the tumbler for two to three minutes to verify the lid is secure.

• 6

  Allow the tumbler to operate for 24 hours, then stop the tumbler and check the fluorite. If the fluorite is smooth enough, continue to Step 7. If you want smoother stones, run the tumbler for an additional 24 hours and check again. Do not tumble the stones past a total of 72 hours. Always keep in mind that fluorite will degrade the longer it tumbles.

• 7

  Remove the barrel from the vibratory tumbler.

• 8

  Hold a colander over a 5-gallon bucket and pour the contents of the barrel into the colander. Do not dump tumbler slurry down a sink drain or it will clog in the U-bend.

• 9

  Rinse the stones and pellets with water while still holding the colander over the bucket. Separate the fluorite and throw away the plastic pellets. Do not reuse plastic pellets. They will carry the grit to the next step and scuff your stones.

• 10

  Continue to rinse the fluorite with water until you remove all the grit.

• 11

  Rinse the tumbler barrel to remove all traces of grit.

Polishing the Fluorite

• 12

  Fill the barrel one-half to three-fourths full with a 50/50 mix of pellets and fluorite. Add 4 tbsp. fine grit and enough water to reach the bottom of the top layer of pellets and fluorite.

• 13

  Repeat Steps 4 through 7 in the above section.

• 14

  Rinse the stones according to Steps 8 through 11 in the above section.

• 15

  Repeat Steps 1 through 3 of this section substituting the pre-polish, polish and Ivory soap in each successive repetition. The stones will begin to take on a shine as you move through the different grits. Stop the processes if the stones begin to degrade or crack at any stage.