Rock tumbling grit is essentially what polishes the rocks in your tumbler. It acts like sand in nature, wearing rocks away gradually. Only, in a rock tumbler, the process is much faster.
This is because rock tumbling grit is made of silicon carbide abrasive, which is far more effective than sand could ever be! The rapid and constant tumbling and vibrating motion also speed the process along.
It is necessary to use grit properly for the best results, however. For example, you will need to know the different types of grit, and the order they should be used in.
Read on to learn all you need to know!
- HIGH QUALITY – This rock polisher grit refill pack comes with enough high-quality silicon carbide grit to put a dazzling polish on up to 20 lbs. of rocks, gems, glass, and more
- EASY TO USE FOUR-STAGE ROCK GRIT – The first rock tumbling grit stage provides initial shaping, the second smooths rock surfaces, the third pre-polishes rocks, and the fourth provides the final polish
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL TUMBLERS – This complete 4-step rock tumbler grit refill kit works with all rock tumblers. For best results, use with National Geographic Rock Tumblers and rock tumbling supplies
- EASY TO MEASURE AND STORE – Each rock tumbling grit stage is packaged in a wide-mouth container with secure, screw-top closure.
- HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL TOYS – National Geographic is proud to make the highest quality hands-on science toys, and all our products are backed by exceptional service. If your experience is anything less than extraordinary, let us know so we can make it right for you!
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What is Rock Tumbling?
As you may already know, rock tumbling is the art of turning your average, rough-hewn rock into a polished gem that’s perfect for jewelry and general decor. This is achieved through the process of placing rocks of certain ideal sizes, types, and shapes into a rock tumbler. You then add the proper grit and some water.
Start the tumbler, and in a day to a couple of weeks, the rocks will be transformed. This serves to replicate the rock-smoothing process in nature, which occurs in lakes and rivers. In short, it’s nothing less than a wonder!
Of course, you have to use the right grit, among other things, in order for this to work. So, why does the grit matter?
Why Does the Grit Matter?
Grit matters because, as with sandpaper, a rougher or a finer grit will accomplish different things. Rough grits are perfect for smoothing down bumps, pits, and other major imperfections in the rocks.
Fine grits, on the other hand, are not as capable of smoothing bumps and the like but will smooth the remaining flaws that the rougher grits can’t reach as a trade-off.
Grits are often measured in microns, and most are 1-4 microns, from rougher to finer.
To tumble rocks properly, you’ll need to use about four different grits in four steps, if you want to achieve the best possible polish and luster.
If you use the wrong type of grit, instead of polishing the rocks, it can scrape them up and even cause them to crack… So, as you can see, the type of grit does indeed matter!
What is Rock Tumbling Grit?
Rock tumbling grit is made of an ultra-hard material known as a silicon carbide abrasive. It’s incredibly coarse, and the key to polishing rocks in a rock tumbler.
There are different grits, from coarser to finer.
How to Successfully Use Grit to Tumble Rocks
Tumbling rocks is fairly easy, but it’s not just tossing a few rocks into a rock tumbler. There is a certain process that must be followed in order to achieve the polish you desire, and this involves four steps and four grit types, from rougher to finer. See below.
Step 1: Coarse or Rough Grit (60/90)
When tumbling stones, you’ll want to start with a coarse 60/90 grit, which will serve to make the rocks much rounder. It will also eliminate the worst of the bumps, pits, and so on.
Most rock tumblers will use the coarse grit for about a week, at which point you can remove the rocks from the resulting slurry. What’s next?
Step 2: Medium Grit (150/220)
The following step calls for a medium grit, such as 150/220; you can work up to this grit more gradually if you prefer, however.
The medium grit will remove the scratches left behind by the coarse grit, as well as any additional, minor bumps, pits, and the like.
After a few days in the tumble with medium grit, the rocks should be starting to look nice and shiny!
Step 3: Fine Grit (500)
Now we’re to about 3-micron grit or 500-grit, which is fine grit. This is the second-to-last-step and gets rid of the final, minute flaws less on the surfaces of the rocks.
Step 4: Finish (Ultra Fine)
Lastly, you can go up to an extra-fine grit, or aluminum oxide powder. This will gloss the rocks and give them that final, pristine polish and dazzling luster!
Can You Use Sand Instead of Grit?
So, do you have to buy grit? Can you use sand or gravel instead? The answer is, unfortunately, no!
First off, it simply won’t work. This is because sand is softer than most rocks, and this means that it won’t polish them. Instead, it will break down.
Natural sand is also quite uneven and will likely scratch the rocks; clearly not ideal, either!
The Best and Worst Rocks for Rock Tumbling
When it comes to what sort of rocks to tumble, one of the facets that matter most is the hardness or softness of a given rock.
If a rock is too hard, it will simply not polish at all. It can even damage softer rocks in the tumbler.
If the rock is too soft, it will simply fall apart, or scratch and any sort of polish may not be possible.
So, it’s necessary to know what rocks are cooperative with ultra-hard rock tumbling grit.
Rock hardness is rated with the Mohs Hardness scale. If you want to know how hard a certain type of rock is, look up its number on this scale. The ideal hardness for rock tumbling is anywhere between 4-7.
The Rocks Most Compatible with Grit:
- Jasper. Jasper is usually red, brown, or yellow, but can be found in just about any color. It is rated 6 and ½ on the Mohs hardness scale, which for tumbling, makes it ideal.
- Quartz. There is the classic clear quartz, and smoky quartz, or even rose quartz. On the Mohs Hardness Scale, they are listed as 7. Amythest is also technically a quartz variety and can be tumbled as well.
- Flourite. Flourite is so named for its fluorescence. While a softer rock, at just 4 on the scale, it can still be tumbled, with due care. This is a kind of rock you will need to check on frequently (to make sure it doesn’t wear away entirely).
- Agate. Agate is perfect for the beginner. It’s a fairly hard – 7 – rock, and it comes in a limitless variety of colors, with bands and other patterns, too! It also polishes to an exceptional shine. All of this makes agate highly sought-after.
- Adventurine. This is a hardy, 6 and ½ rock, which comes in beautiful shades of green and blue. Some look almost jade-like. They are another great rock for a beginner!
The Rocks Most Incompatible with Grit:
- Sandstone. As you can probably imagine, when put through a tumbler, sandstone will return to its natural state: sand! Not only that, but the uneven particles may scratch any other rocks you’re tumbling with it.
- Limestone. Limestone is lovely, with its soft pastel-green hue, and you may be tempted to tumble it. This is generally not successful, as the stone is much too soft. It’s one that’s best to admire raw!
- Pumice. Pumice is a very cool-looking, lava-formed stone that you may have considered tumbling. Sadly, it’s so porous that it’s incredibly soft, and when put through a tumbler, it’s sure to break into pieces and dissolve (and almost immediately at that).
- Coal. Finally, we have coal. You’re probably not too tempted to tumble this, and that’s good because it doesn’t work; like sand, coal is pretty much made of dust, and a tumbler will return it to its natural state quickly!
Where Can You Buy Grit?
The best place to buy rock tumbling grit is online, usually.
You’ll have the most options and the best prices to choose from, and of course, clicking a button to purchase couldn’t be easier.
We use the National Geographic 4 Stage Grit available on Amazon here
Summary
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to about grit, you can pick out some rocks, purchase some grit, and start your rock tumbler.
Remember: using the right grits in correct order is absolutely integral to achieving the best shine and luster!
Follow our Complete Guide to Rock Tumbling to learn all you can about this Hobby
