Most rocks will not perform well in a rock tumbler; however, a few types of rock can be successfully tumbled by a beginner if the rocks are carefully selected. These easy-to-tumble rocks include agate, jasper, chalcedony, and petrified wood. All of these materials are composed of microcrystalline quartz, which is a very hard, tough, and durable material that accepts a very bright polish.

Rocks that are worth tumbling are free of voids, cavities, and fractures. They also have a non-granular texture. Many people are lucky enough to live in a location where these rocks can be collected, always with permission of the landowner, in streams or beaches or scattered on the surface of the ground. If you do not live in one of these locations, then good material for tumbling can easily be purchased at a rock shop or from a website that sells rock tumblers and rock tumbling supplies.

Many other types of rocks and minerals can be tumbled in a rock tumbler. A partial list includes: Amazonite, Amethyst, Aventurine, Basalt, Beryl, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Chrysoprase, Flint, Fluorite, Granite, Hematite, Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Obsidian, Petrified Wood, Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Sodalite, Sunstone, Tiger’s-Eye, Turquoise, Unakite, and many others.