Polishing rocks is an exciting way to create beautiful and collection worthy treasures. Rock polishing is a hobby for the young and the old, the very most important trait an individual who wants to pursue rock polishing should possess is patience.

Almost any rock is a good candidate for polishing. However stones such as lime and soap are not, as they are so soft they will dissolve into dust through the polishing process. Quartz and jasper are common choices, the more sparkly a rock the shinier polish it will take on, whereas earthy looking rocks will remain earthy regardless of polishing. There are two common methods of polishing rocks, one being a rock tumbler, either hand made or store bought, or polishing using sand paper by hand.

With a store bought rock tumbler, you will be provided with the proper grit sand, rock polish and detailed instructions. In general store bought rock tumblers operate in much the same way with different levels of quality ranging from toys for kids to professional.

Using a Store-bought Rock Tumbler

1. Fill your rock tumbler with rocks, coarse gravel like grit and water. Be sure not to overfill with rocks or grit. Place plastic or other material under tumbler to protect surfaces in case tumbler leaks. Start tumbler and allow to tumble for 14-21 days.

2. After 14-21 days stop tumbler and look at your rocks. Remove rocks from tumbler and wash thoroughly. Discard used grit. If rocks are as desired, polish. If you would like rounder smoother rocks, reduce the coarseness of the grit and begin process again. Depending on how much more refining of the rocks you would like allow tumbler to run for 10-21 days.

3. Repeat step 2 until you are ready to polish.

4. Polish rocks.

Using a Homemade Rock Tumbler

1. Fill a durable glass or plastic jar halfway with water, rocks and coarse grit.

2. Tighten cover on jar.

3. Shake the jar until you can no longer, have friends family, everyone you know repeat this process for many weeks.

4. When rocks have reached desired roundness and smoothness polish.

Polishing Rocks by Hand

1. You will need rocks sandpaper and polish.

2. Begin by using a very coarse sandpaper rubbing and smoothing sharp edges until maximum smoothness is achieved. Move on to a less coarse sandpaper. Continue process until rocks reach desired smoothness.

3. Polish Rocks.