Best Rock Tumbler For Petoskey Stones

Because of the softness of petoskey stones trying to polish them in a regular rock tumbler can be a tricky process.

Best rock tumbler for petoskey stones.

If you re new to rock tumbling a single barrel rotary tumbler is usually the best option. Some petoskey stones can be polished in a rock tumbler but it is best to dry polish them in a vibratory tumbler. The tumbler barrel is made of tire rubber to reduce the noise and it has a leak proof stainless steel lid. They are quite beautiful when you finish them by hand but i have to admit i was really surprised that they got far worse in the polish slurry inside the tumbler.

The undercutting issue prevents normal mass polishing techniques and so must be hand polished one at a time. Don t mix them with any rock or mineral harder than 4 mohs. Many online sites warn against trying it. Petoskey stones are relatively soft with a mohs hardness of 3 to 3 1 2 so tumble polishing them safely can be a little tricky and is recommended for experienced lapidarists.

It allows you to get used to tumbling smaller amounts of rocks so you can get familiar with the process. Instructions for how we polish fluorite petoskey stone and other similar soft stones. Best starter kit for hobbyists. The lortone qt 12 qt 66 rotary rock tumbler is measures 11 5 long by 12 5 wide with a total weight of 4 pounds.

Due to the rock that was ground away in step 1 the barrel will not be full. The best rock tumbler for petoskey stones the national geographic hobby rock tumbler comes with simple instructions that make this easy for even a novice to use. These unique treasures can be elusive to first time stone seekers but the tips below can help get you on track to your first discovery. Total capacity and is capable of polishing stones brass glass and beads.

If the stone begins to seem oily add denatured alcohol to the wheel and continue polishing until the oily look is gone. Best all around rock tumbler and best bang for your buck. It s also a good idea to purchase a kit that includes all the items you need to get started including rough rocks or gemstones and abrasive grit. How to polish petoskey stones with a rock tumbler.

Lortone 3a starter kit. Petoskey stones are a strange breed. Add ceramic media to make up the difference for the rock that was ground. Best option for slightly more advanced users.

Best vibratory polisher not a traditional tumbler. It has a professional quality build with two 10 sided molded rubber barrels. The petoskey stone michigan s state stone and its lesser known cousin the charlevoix stone are unique to the great lakes and can be found along the shores of michigan s lower peninsula. Here are the best rock tumblers.

Best rock tumbler for kids.