Martina Del Raino – Rockridge Grit

Rock collecting and rock tumbling

Collecting and tumbling go hand in hand. Here is how to pick stones that will polish well, and where to look for them.

Stones that shine wet but go dull when dry usually have a fixable problem. Here are the most common causes and how to get a lasting gloss.

The common four-pack of grit and polish is only the start. Here is how better blends, finer polish and smarter fillers change your results.

Mountains, deserts, museums and rock shops: the life of a rock hound, where to find your people, and how to collect responsibly.

Rotary tumblers shape rough rock; vibratory tumblers finish shaped stones fast. Here is how to pick, and why many people use both.

Find a stone somewhere you love, put it in a machine and wait. A few weeks later, something ordinary comes out glowing.

Most rotary batches take about four weeks, but your stones set the real schedule. Here is what to expect and how to keep track.

Too little grit stalls a batch and too much turns it to mud. Here is how much to use in each step, by barrel size.