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The Best Rocks For Tumbling (Buy Rocks In Bulk!)

rough rocks for tumbling

Where To Find Rocks For Tumbling

Let’s face it.  Not all of us that love rocks are able to get outdoors and collect the rough rocks hat we really want to run through our rock tumbler. Sure, we can grab a few off the side of the road perhaps, but chances are, you’re not going to find the rough gemstones you really want to be able to use in your rock polisher.

Fortunately, we live in incredible times.  Not only are we able to order our new rock tumblers online without ever stepping foot inside a store.  Now we can even get our rough  stones without ever stepping foot outside into nature!  With the click of a mouse, and with 2 days free shipping, we can buy rocks in bulk for our rock tumblers.

If you’ve been excited to use your rock tumbler, but just don’t have the right rough rocks or rough gemstones to start with, here’s where to start.

If you’re new to the hobby of rock tumbling, you may want to read my post, How To Use A Rock Tumbler.

The Best Rough Rocks For Tumbling

Rough Rock Product Chart

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The Rock Tumbling Hobby

Rock tumbling, or rock polishing, is the hobby of collecting a variety of rocks and literally turning them into gemstones you can use for many different kinds of things such as jewelry, crafts, decor or simply just to display at home.  It’s an incredibly easy hobby to get into and it doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s an activity the entire family can enjoy together.  And like other enjoyable hobbies, the more you do it, the better you become.

If you’re waiting for just the right stones for your tumbler, there’s no longer a need to wait. . This list includes a variety of the best rough rocks for your tumbler and bulk rocks for sale.

Top Pick: Bulk Rocks For Tumbling

1. Fantasia Mining 3 lbs Bulk Rough Madagascar Stone Mix with 30 Page Stone Info Book

About Fantasia Mining 3 lbs Bulk Rough Rocks For Rock Tumblers

I like this mix of rough rocks because included with the rocks is a 30 page identification booklet.  In addition to being able to identify the many different types of stones you’ll receive, it also gives information about each type of stone.

Features

  • Premium Madagascar Rough Rocks for tumbler
  • Includes at 30 Page Identification and Stone Information Book
  • Perfect mix of rough stones for Tumbling and lapidary
  • Every Bag is a Unique mix with Different Types of Rough Stones
  • 3 lb Bags Contain an Average of 45-66 pcs – Most Stones Average 1.5 to 2 inches Each
  • The average weight of each stone is just under 1 oz

What Kinds Raw Bulk Rocks Are Included?

The Fantasia Mining mix of rough gemstones includes:

  • Agate
  • Amazonite
  • Apatite
  • Amethyst
  • Blue Calcite
  • Blue Quartz
  • Carnelian
  • Chestnut Jasper
  • Chrysocolla
  • Crystal Quartz
  • Desert Jasper
  • Fire Quartz
  • Girasol
  • Green Opal
  • Hematite
  • Indigo Gabbro
  • Kambaba Jasper
  • Labradorite
  • Orange Calcite
  • Orbicular Jasper
  • Petrified Wood
  • Rhodonite
  • Rose Quartz
  • Septarian Jasper
  • Sunset Jasper
  • Yellow Jasper
  • Zebradorite

2. Crystal Allies Materials Madagascar 12-Stone Mix

About The Madagascar 12 Stone Mix Of Rough Rocks For Tumbling

  • Stone Size is approximately 1 inch.
  • 3lbs of rough gemstones for tumbling. Approximately 30 to 60 pieces. 
  • These rough stones have been soaked in water to showcase its potential
  • Every specimen is unique and is similar to the image shown.
  • Included in this mix is an assortment of different kinds of stones. The stones in each lot may vary. 

What Kinds Of Rough Rocks Are Included With The Madagascar 12 Stone Mix?

  • Amethyst
  • Labradorite
  • Septarian
  • Rose Quartz
  • Green Opal
  • Girasol Op
  • Desert Jasper
  • Blue Apatite
  • Red Jasper
  • Petrified Wood
  • Yellow Jasper
  • Chrysocolla

3.Digging Dolls: 3 lbs Natural Premium Madagascar Rough Stone Mix

About Digging Dolls Rough Rock Tumbling Rocks

This Madagascar rough stone mix was specially designed by the Dolls to contain the perfect mix of colors, patterns, and beauty

The Digging Dolls Brand of stones is owned by a female rock hound team who cares about providing only the best quality stones on the market.

When you order any authentic Digging Dolls product you can be certain that every order has been through a rigorous quality control process and only the best stones are allowed to take on the Digging Dolls logo.

Kinds Of Rough Rocks Are Included With The Digging Dolls Bulk Rough Stone Mix

  • Amethyst
  • Amazonite
  • Labradorite
  • Septarian
  • Rose Quartz
  • Green Opal
  • Girasol Quartz
  • Clear Quartz
  • Sea Jasper
  • White King Quartz
  • Desert Jasper
  • Blue Apatite
  • Red Jasper
  • Petrified Wood
  • Yellow Jasper
  • Chrysocolla
  • Blue Quartz
  • Chrysoprase
  • Polychrome Jasper
  • Zebradorite
  • and More!

Why Start Rock Tumbling?

Rock tumbling, or rock polishing, is the hobby of collecting a variety of rocks and literally turning them into gemstones you can use for many different kinds of things such as jewelry, crafts, decor or simply just to display at home.  It’s an incredibly easy hobby to get into and it doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s an activity the entire family can enjoy together.  And like other enjoyable hobbies, the more you do it, the better you become.

A Great Rock Tumbler To Start With!

Lortone 3A Rotary Rock Tumbler

If you’re looking for a very high quality rock tumbler, you really want to take a look at the Loratone 3A rock tumbler. I just recently purchased one of these to tumble agates and jasper, and it’s worked just perfectly.

The Lortone 3a has a VERY quiet rubber barrel that has a 3lb holding capacity. And the best thing about the Lortone 3a was just how unbelievably quiet it was.

You can get more information on the Lortone 3A here.

What Kind Of Rocks Can You Put In A Rock Tumbler/What Rocks Can Be Tumbled Together?

You can place any kind of rock that you want in a rock tumbler. What you want to try and keep in mind though are these couple of things.

Size: Only tumble together rocks and gemstones that are roughly the same size.  The nice thing about these picks that I listed, is that the rocks all come in about the same size.

Rock Hardness: The other thing you want to remember when tumbling different kinds of rocks together, is to group them by hardness.  You don’t want to tumble soft rocks together with hard rocks.  If you do, the hard rocks will tear away at the softer rocks. If you tumble them together in the polishing stage of tumbling, you will most certainly scratch the soft rocks severely.  You’ll never find the shine you want by polishing different hardness together.

Rock Tumbling Grit

Since you already have your rock tumbler, and soon you’ll have your rough rocks for tumbling, the only thing missing now is the rock tumbler grit.

Polly Plastics Rock Tumbler Tumbling Media Grit Kit

About Polly Plastics Rock Tumbler Grit

This is the tumbling medium that I use to refill my Lortone 3A.  It works great.

  • Complete Tumbling Medium Kit – 4 Step grit pack for use in 15 lb. tumbler or five 3 lb. tumbles.
  • Kit cludes – 1 lb. 60 Coarse Silicon Carbide Grit, 1 lb. 180/220 Medium Silicon Carbide, Grit, ½ lb. 500 Fine Silicone Carbide, ½ lb. 1200 Aluminum Oxide Polish and 1 lb. plastic cushioning pellets

For a look at how to make your own rock tumbling grit substitute, you might want to read my post Make Your Own Rock Tumbling Grit Substitute where I discuss the options for creating your own rock tumbling medium.

If interested in buying ready made rock tumbling grit, you may be interested in my post The Best Rock Tumbler Grit where I list what I’ve found to be the best rock tumbling grit for the money.

Conclusion

I hope this short review was helpful in getting you the rocks and gemstones you need for your next rock tumbling session.  I believe the Madagascar rocks are an excellent choice for anyone who’s unable to get out and find their own rocks. 

Do you have experience with any of these rough rocks for tumbling? If so, leave a comment below or shoot me an email.  I’d love to hear from you.

If you found this review helpful, please share it with other rockhounds you might know.  Thanks!

Related: Can You Tumble Peacock Ore?

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