As a devoted rock tumbler, I’m constantly amazed at the hidden beauty revealed through the tumbling process. These are stones I’ve spent time with—watching how they behave in the tumbler, reading up on where they’re from, and learning what meanings people have connected to them over time. I’ve also noted where you might find them yourself if you feel like giving one a spin. If you want to dig deeper into how the Mohs scale of hardness affects tumbling results and grit choice, I’ve covered that in the section on rock hardness.
Carnelian
- Mohs Hardness: 6.5–7
- Color: Orange-red to deep rusty brown
- Tumbling Tips: Ideal for beginners, carnelian polishes exceptionally well due to its hardness. Tumble using standard silicon carbide grit, and expect vibrant, fiery results.
- U.S. Sources: Oregon (Willamette Valley), California, and Southwest riverbeds
- Buy Online: Carnelian rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Often linked to Aries (March 21 – April 19) for its energizing and motivating properties.
Rose Quartz
- Mohs Hardness: 7
- Color: Soft pink
- Tumbling Tips: Requires gentle handling; prone to micro-fractures. A pre-polish stage is recommended to achieve the best finish.
- U.S. Sources: Black Hills, South Dakota; also Maine and North Carolina
- Buy Online: Rose Quartz rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Associated with Taurus (April 20 – May 20) due to its calming and loving energies.
Citrine
- Mohs Hardness: 7
- Color: Pale to golden yellow, occasionally champagne-colored
- Tumbling Tips: Takes on a brilliant shine easily. Can be mixed with clear quartz for enhanced sparkle.
- U.S. Sources: Limited natural deposits in Colorado, North Carolina, and California
- Buy Online: Citrine rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Linked with Gemini (May 21 – June 20) for enhancing clarity and intellectual curiosity.
Moonstone
- Mohs Hardness: 6
- Color: Translucent white to grey, with iridescent blue flash
- Tumbling Tips: Soft and delicate; requires careful tumbling with plenty of cushioning. Often best polished gently by hand after shaping.
- U.S. Sources: Rare, but small occurrences in New Mexico and South Dakota
- Buy Online: Rainbow Moonstone rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Resonates with Cancer (June 21 – July 22) for its nurturing, intuitive qualities.
Tiger’s Eye
- Mohs Hardness: 6.5–7
- Color: Golden brown, chatoyant (silky reflective bands)
- Tumbling Tips: Polishes beautifully with high luster. Handle dust carefully to avoid inhalation.
- U.S. Sources: Rare, but similar materials found in Arizona and California
- Buy Online: Tiger’s Eye rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Often tied to Leo (July 23 – August 22) for enhancing courage and confidence.
Amazonite
- Mohs Hardness: 6–6.5
- Color: Green to turquoise
- Tumbling Tips: Requires gentle tumbling with cushioning due to softness and tendency to bruise.
- U.S. Sources: Colorado (Pikes Peak region), Virginia, Maryland
- Buy Online: Amazonite rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Aligns with Virgo (August 23 – September 22) for clarity and emotional balance.
Lapis Lazuli
- Mohs Hardness: 5–6
- Color: Deep royal blue with golden pyrite flecks
- Tumbling Tips: Tumbles gently; requires cushioning to avoid bruising. Use fine grits carefully.
- U.S. Sources: Limited finds in Southern California and Colorado
- Buy Online: Lapis Lazuli rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Associated with Libra (September 23 – October 22) for its harmony and truth-promoting qualities.
Obsidian
- Mohs Hardness: 5–5.5
- Color: Black, occasionally mahogany or rainbow-colored
- Tumbling Tips: Tricky to tumble perfectly; recommend pre-shaping edges by hand to prevent chipping. Final polish with cerium oxide recommended.
- U.S. Sources: Oregon, Arizona, Yellowstone (Obsidian Cliff)
- Buy Online: Obsidian rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Linked to Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) for its protective and transformative properties.
Amethyst
- Mohs Hardness: 7
- Color: Pale lavender to deep violet
- Tumbling Tips: Tumbles well with care to avoid overheating. Avoid prolonged sun exposure to maintain color.
- U.S. Sources: Four Peaks, Arizona; Jackson’s Crossroads, Georgia
- Buy Online: Amethyst rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Resonates with Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) for enhancing spiritual growth and inner peace.
Garnet
- Mohs Hardness: 6.5–7.5
- Color: Deep red to reddish-brown
- Tumbling Tips: Generally polishes well, but pitted surfaces may persist. Extensive coarse grind required.
- U.S. Sources: Adirondack Mountains, New York; Emerald Creek, Idaho
- Buy Online: Garnet rough stones on Amazon
- Zodiac Association: Capricorn (December 22 – January 19), promoting resilience and ambition.
Exploring these gemstones through tumbling has given me profound appreciation for Earth’s geological beauty. Each stone’s journey from rough to radiant mirrors our own potential for transformation. Happy tumbling!
