Thanks for the tips Ariel!! I just spent like 2 months of my life tumbling these rocks only to have them come out cracked & chipped. Yelling 4 letter words at them doesn't seem to work so I'll definitely put your info to good use!!
WOW...thanks so much for sharing this information. I never thought to us these techniques. Your videos are GREAT!!! I love them. Again thanks for posting.
Baby oil. Thanks for the presentation. I'm 82 and been finding and tumbling, polishing, for as long as can remember. Will use your baby oil. Great presentations. I love all my rocks and the joy of finding them. Usually on the beach I look down as I walk and always find that new one to take home.
Very informative video, thank you for posting! One suggestion…try using a plastic or silicone colander instead of metal for your polish stage. I used to use a wire mesh colander just like yours, but I noticed it was leaving very fine scratches in my polished rocks. Switch to a silicone colander and they went away.
Thanks for all the vids girl. What i do is after the 2nd stage i clean them with toothbrush then tumble with only water for 24 hrs. Check them, water will be cloudy. Then rinse again in strainer. Tumble with water again for 24-48 hrs depending on how cloudy they were after the first 24 hrs. Water should be almost completely clear before moving on to stage 3. Then after stage 3 ( 1 week) i repeat all the above again before moving on to stage 4. Run #4 (polish) 1 week. Then repeat all above again except i tumble with just water for 2 days, then rinse in strainer and tumble with water again repeating every 24 hrs until water is virtually clear. Then to burnish i personally just use the dish washing liquid i have in the kitchen sink. Works great and i already have it on hand. Its called "Home Store Dish Soap". Any kind will do as long as it no harsh abrasives and is phosphate free. 4-5 drops is all it takes. Run it for 3-4 days. Then i tumble with just water checking and repeating every 24 hrs until virtually no bubbles remain. All this adds an extra 7-10 days to the processs but i think you'll find it is well worth it. Also i would like to mention or ask any of you if you have wondered the same thing as me. What i'm referring to is the ceramic pellets. They take up that little bit of space we need filled as rocks are being worn down but i suspect they are a contributing factor in the "cracks" we all have come to hate. Especially on the polish stage. I have found that filling tumbler about 3/4 full with just rocks, no ceramic pellets during polish cuts down on "cracks" forming considerably. This means keeping a little stash of unpolished rocks set aside to use in place of pellets and to add that additional amount that fills barrel up to around 3/4 full. Just a theory right now. My best batches of rocks have come when doing this. Anyone else wondered if the pellets are a contributing factor in "cracks"? If i can get through entire tumble without using pellets i think is best case scenario. Just a theory at this point. All in all it takes about 5-6 weeks to complete a tumble. So if anyone is dissatisfied with the results you have been getting with the method you have been using, maybe consider trying these steps. If you do i would love to hear your opinion on the results. Good or bad. In conclusion, figure out your own system as far as how long to tumble with just water after each stage. Just doing it between stages will improve the results for sure. I have only been tumbling for about a year and these are the things i have found to work best for me. There are no rules in this hobby, only various degrees of results. Anyway, thanks Ariel for your vids and this platform for me to ask and share. Rock on girl!!
Just wanted to add that i am in San Antonio Tx. The water hear is very hard. So all the water i use in tumbling is bottled water. (filtered) Also, 95% of rocks i tumble have come straight outta the landscaping rocks we have in our yard.
I havent used pellets because I dont have any. My last tumble is Dawn and Borax. Sometimes 2x. I am happy with the results. I will try the 'just water' tip too. It makes sense to me.
Thank you for the video! Is it only after the polish stage that you have to keep the rocks from drying out? I have some that were done with stage 1 before the rest of the batch, do those need to stay in water until ready for stage 2?
I tumble mine one last time for a few days with Borax and Dawn detergent to remove polish residue. I have even repeated this when I wasnt happy with the results. I did have a few cracks so I will try the baby oil tip. I dont like mine really shiny tho. Just with a lustre. I haven't used ceramics yet.
There is a rock at min. 4:40 of this video, I have alot of it. But I do not know what it is. I have always been a rockhound so to speak. But now I am trying to learn about all of it.
Some people hate cracks and dips so much they don’t care if the rock becomes much smaller, they are looking for perfection….maybe OCD? But they keep it in the first stage or two longer….long enough to get rid of all that and they’d rather have smaller perfect rocks than bigger cracked ones. Also to keep it from breaking off in other stages where a whole piece of the rock breaks off from it. Some will take months to complete all the stages, one week and check, put some in the next step and keep others in the same stage and repeat. But they also have like 10 tumblers haha. If you only have one, you’d probably need a lotta patience.
Yes there are definitely different methods to get the rocks you like! It all depends on what you are looking for and how long you want the process to take! I personally don’t mind if there are some small cracks I think it just makes them look more rock like! 😊
I have a question, I see you use ceramic media to help cushion the stones while tumbling, and I have seen others use plastic pellets. Is choosing one just personal preference? Or is it sometimes desirable to use one instead of the other? I assume they perform a similar function?
Yes they perform the same function I believe and is more of a personal preference. I have seen people say that plastic is better for the polish stage however 😊
My biggest problem is spotty polishing. Maybe I'm not burnishing long enough? One channel says not to do it more than an hour or you could strip the polish off?
It may! I don’t do any jewelry work at the moment, but it is definitely something I am considering in the future. It definitely doesn’t hurt to try, and if it effects it, you can always give it a good wash to get off the oil.
Why do you specify Ivory brand soap? if people can't get that specific brand of soap will others work or is there a chemical in some soaps that would mess with the rocks?
Thanks for the tips Ariel!! I just spent like 2 months of my life tumbling these rocks only to have them come out cracked & chipped. Yelling 4 letter words at them doesn't seem to work so I'll definitely put your info to good use!!
Yes it is the absolute worst when that happens! I hope this video helps! 😊
Thank you for the tips! I tried your suggestions and I’m so happy with the results!
Your tips are absolutely amazing! Thank you! Subscribed btw 😁
Thank you!! 😊
Aw I want to save your video to my playlist...
Rock's turned out great Ariel, thanks for sharing. 👍
Thank you! 😊
I have watched alll your videos, thank you for your work^^
That is awesome!! Thank you so much! 😊
WOW...thanks so much for sharing this information. I never thought to us these techniques. Your videos are GREAT!!! I love them. Again thanks for posting.
Of course! Glad to share my tips and tricks!
Thank you for this information. I’m in the last week of my first stage four polishing tumble. Super excited to see what they look like.
That worked out perfectly! Glad I could help-I hope they turn out great! 😊
This was an awesome video, fantastic tips and tricks. Great video Ariel, thanks for sharing your passion and hard work.
Updated my channel name, Nicolas Giacoma
Thank you so much! 😊
Baby oil. Thanks for the presentation. I'm 82 and been finding and tumbling, polishing, for as long as can remember. Will use your baby oil. Great presentations. I love all my rocks and the joy of finding them. Usually on the beach I look down as I walk and always find that new one to take home.
So glad I could help! I know any place I go to with rocks I usually end up with a few returning with me in my pocket! 😅
Thank you for sharing!!
Of course! 😊
Good tip
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! 😊
Great tips!!...as well as motivation😁 I think it's time for another batch🤓
Right! The satisfaction of a good shine at the end is so addicting 🙌
Very informative video, thank you for posting!
One suggestion…try using a plastic or silicone colander instead of metal for your polish stage.
I used to use a wire mesh colander just like yours, but I noticed it was leaving very fine scratches in my polished rocks. Switch to a silicone colander and they went away.
Oh great idea! I never thought about that but I bet you’re right!
Or line wire mesh colander with cloth, tule, gauze, etc
Thanks for all the vids girl. What i do is after the 2nd stage i clean them with toothbrush then tumble with only water for 24 hrs. Check them, water will be cloudy. Then rinse again in strainer. Tumble with water again for 24-48 hrs depending on how cloudy they were after the first 24 hrs. Water should be almost completely clear before moving on to stage 3. Then after stage 3 ( 1 week) i repeat all the above again before moving on to stage 4. Run #4 (polish) 1 week. Then repeat all above again except i tumble with just water for 2 days, then rinse in strainer and tumble with water again repeating every 24 hrs until water is virtually clear. Then to burnish i personally just use the dish washing liquid i have in the kitchen sink. Works great and i already have it on hand. Its called "Home Store Dish Soap". Any kind will do as long as it no harsh abrasives and is phosphate free. 4-5 drops is all it takes. Run it for 3-4 days. Then i tumble with just water checking and repeating every 24 hrs until virtually no bubbles remain. All this adds an extra 7-10 days to the processs but i think you'll find it is well worth it. Also i would like to mention or ask any of you if you have wondered the same thing as me. What i'm referring to is the ceramic pellets. They take up that little bit of space we need filled as rocks are being worn down but i suspect they are a contributing factor in the "cracks" we all have come to hate. Especially on the polish stage. I have found that filling tumbler about 3/4 full with just rocks, no ceramic pellets during polish cuts down on "cracks" forming considerably. This means keeping a little stash of unpolished rocks set aside to use in place of pellets and to add that additional amount that fills barrel up to around 3/4 full. Just a theory right now. My best batches of rocks have come when doing this. Anyone else wondered if the pellets are a contributing factor in "cracks"? If i can get through entire tumble without using pellets i think is best case scenario. Just a theory at this point. All in all it takes about 5-6 weeks to complete a tumble. So if anyone is dissatisfied with the results you have been getting with the method you have been using, maybe consider trying these steps. If you do i would love to hear your opinion on the results. Good or bad. In conclusion, figure out your own system as far as how long to tumble with just water after each stage. Just doing it between stages will improve the results for sure. I have only been tumbling for about a year and these are the things i have found to work best for me. There are no rules in this hobby, only various degrees of results. Anyway, thanks Ariel for your vids and this platform for me to ask and share. Rock on girl!!
Just wanted to add that i am in San Antonio Tx. The water hear is very hard. So all the water i use in tumbling is bottled water. (filtered) Also, 95% of rocks i tumble have come straight outta the landscaping rocks we have in our yard.
That is a interesting technique! I definitely want to try that out for next time! Thank you for the tips! 😊
I havent used pellets because I dont have any. My last tumble is Dawn and Borax. Sometimes 2x. I am happy with the results. I will try the 'just water' tip too. It makes sense to me.
Thank you for the video! Is it only after the polish stage that you have to keep the rocks from drying out? I have some that were done with stage 1 before the rest of the batch, do those need to stay in water until ready for stage 2?
Hi Ariel! Can you tumble rocks of different hardnesses together and still achieve a shine in the last stage?
Ariel, are you still using your ultrasonic cleaner for your rocks? I bought one and was wondering if you are still happy with yours
i havent been able to find ivory bar soap in my area in months. i'm thinking of using homemade bar soap.
I tumble mine one last time for a few days with Borax and Dawn detergent to remove polish residue. I have even repeated this when I wasnt happy with the results. I did have a few cracks so I will try the baby oil tip. I dont like mine really shiny tho. Just with a lustre. I haven't used ceramics yet.
Yes tumbling with the soaps really help! We definitely all have our own preferences!
There is a rock at min. 4:40 of this video, I have alot of it. But I do not know what it is. I have always been a rockhound so to speak. But now I am trying to learn about all of it.
Great tip, definitely gunna try this. Do you think olive oil would work?
I’m not sure! I’ve never used it before with rocks-but definitely something you could try out!
Some people hate cracks and dips so much they don’t care if the rock becomes much smaller, they are looking for perfection….maybe OCD? But they keep it in the first stage or two longer….long enough to get rid of all that and they’d rather have smaller perfect rocks than bigger cracked ones. Also to keep it from breaking off in other stages where a whole piece of the rock breaks off from it. Some will take months to complete all the stages, one week and check, put some in the next step and keep others in the same stage and repeat. But they also have like 10 tumblers haha. If you only have one, you’d probably need a lotta patience.
Yes there are definitely different methods to get the rocks you like! It all depends on what you are looking for and how long you want the process to take! I personally don’t mind if there are some small cracks I think it just makes them look more rock like! 😊
Alright…just bought my first rock tumbler. Wish me luck ya’ll!
Oh that’s awesome-good luck! 😊
1 year later! How did it go???
The oil worked for all of one day. Now back to white again. How do unprevent the white in the first place?
I have a question, I see you use ceramic media to help cushion the stones while tumbling, and I have seen others use plastic pellets. Is choosing one just personal preference? Or is it sometimes desirable to use one instead of the other? I assume they perform a similar function?
Yes they perform the same function I believe and is more of a personal preference. I have seen people say that plastic is better for the polish stage however 😊
My biggest problem is spotty polishing. Maybe I'm not burnishing long enough? One channel says not to do it more than an hour or you could strip the polish off?
Can you soak in vinegar to get the polish out of the cracks?
I probably wouldn’t as vinegar is an acid
I'm concerned that using oil might prevent bonding if one is using glue later?
It may! I don’t do any jewelry work at the moment, but it is definitely something I am considering in the future. It definitely doesn’t hurt to try, and if it effects it, you can always give it a good wash to get off the oil.
Why do you specify Ivory brand soap? if people can't get that specific brand of soap will others work or is there a chemical in some soaps that would mess with the rocks?
I specified mainly cause I said the wrong thing but I know two that work well, dish soap and ivory soap 😊
what are those white sprinkle looking things
Ceramic media! It helps get to the nooks and crannies of the rocks when tumbling 😊
What the heck.did people.do BEFORE ELECTRICITY AND/OR TUMBLERS
Haha right?! Lots of sore arms from hand polishing 😂
Instead of tooth brushing as a finish just put them back in the barrel with vegetable oil, borax and nylon beads. Tumble for a day.
I will have to try that!!
that's the reason one should burnish
Agreed! This was after a burnish cycle unfortunately!
Ingredients in baby oil: mineral oil.
😅
Ok but like, are you the girl from Disney food blog? Because you sound the same... lol, just me, or?
No way! You should post a link! I’m definitely not her but would be interested to see who she is!
youtube.com/@DFBGuide
In hindsight, she's not as similar as I thought but pretty dang close