Rock tumbling is fun, no doubt. But it is even more exciting when you can turn those uneven rocks into gems. But you cannot tumble all sorts of rocks with any tumbler. For instance, agates need special treatment as they are more compact than others.
There is several rock tumblers in the market right now that perform the amazing task of polishing rocks into dazzling jewelry. Usually, hard and dense rocks make the agates. So, you need the best rock tumbler for agates to finish the process smoothly.
In this regard, we reviewed two outstanding rock tumblers below that work exceptionally great to produce gemstones out of the edgy and imperfect stones. Let’s dig deeper how you can reshape those utterly uneven artifacts into perfectly polished materials with the help of these premium-quality rock tumblers for agates.
Product Review
Let’s look forward to what our top two tumblers have in store for you.
1. Dan & Darci Store Tumbler
The first place of this review is occupied by an irresistible rock tumbling kit that is designed for people of all ages. You can start your gem collection journey right now with this super fun tumbling machine.
The package includes one tumbler and barrel, ½ pound rough rock, four grit packages, jewelry fasteners, mesh strainer, a storage bag, and a complete learning guide. The guide thoroughly describes how you should finish the whole process to get finely finished gems.
One good thing about this advanced tumbling kit is the low-noise barrel. So, you don’t get bothered during the long tumbling process. Also, it is leak resistant not to create any mess on the working surface.
Another thing we must include is the heavy-duty motor which runs really long. As we know, tumbling agates require patience as it’s a long procedure. So, the powerful motor lasts as long as you need to continue.
Most interestingly, it comes with a speed control feature. Resultantly, you can adjust the speed based on the tumbling demand to get a more granular tumbling outcome.
Pros
- No leakage due to the leak-proof barrel
- Powerful heavy-duty motor for uninterrupted tumbling
- Low noise production
Cons
- A bit too expensive
- The belt comes off easily
Why You Choose It
This is a perfect tumbling kit that includes all the starter packages. Not only you can choose it to tumble agates but also as an excellent gift package.
On one hand, it helps the kids with first-hand experience of rock tumbling. On the other hand, it makes them interested in their science projects. Even the adults get fascinated by the engaging professional polishing kit. So, get this right away before it runs short!
2. National Geographic Tumbler
Secondly, meet an outstanding hobby tumbler kit from National Geographic. Similar to the previous one, this too is an industry-standard rock tumbling machine. Moreover, it’s specifically designed to polish rough rocks into finely shined agates.
This kit is particularly popular for its hassle-free operation. From beginners to professionals, anybody can make the best use of this agate tumbling kit.
Thanks to its durable motor, it lasts for years. And the leak-resistant rubber barrel is an exclusive add-on to keep the machine 75% quieter than any regular plastic kit.
We all know that tumbling agates require high-quality material in combination with advanced levels of sturdiness. National Geographic fulfills those criteria by maintaining top-notch quality in every part of the kit.
Apart from the durable design, it also outperforms others by the one-touch operation. You just need to set the timer for each cycle and that’s it. The auto shut-off system will take care of the rest.
Being a complete beginner-friendly package, it comes with a tumbler, four polishing grits, nine types of gemstones, a detailed instruction guide, a jewelry fastener, basically, everything you need. So, you should not miss it in any way.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Auto shut off timer makes it user-friendly
- The power-packed motor lasts for years
Cons
- Breaks down easily
- Shining is up to the mark
Why You Choose It
Can you imagine getting a whole package of rock tumbling kits for less than $100? You just need to add water, nothing else. So, it’s a great gift both for boys and girls who love science toys. Moreover, hobbyists can also pick this rock tumbler to create dazzling jewelry out of uneven artifacts.
What to Look for in Best Rock Tumbler for Agates
The best rock tumblers for agates aren’t manufactured by just any brand. They are particularly engineered with high-quality craftsmanship and sturdy architecture. Besides, there are some other factors you should take into consideration before making a buying decision. Let’s explore them in detail below!
Barrel Size:
Barrel size is an important thing to decide how well the tumbler would perform. It is usually measured in pounds. A 3-4 pounds barrel is meant for kids while a 6-12 pounds is for adults. Again, the barrel size mostly decides how many rocks you can tumble in a single cycle.
Barrel Material:
If you want the smoothest finish ever in the agates you tumble, go for barrels made of rubber. Cheap plastic barrels wouldn’t be of any help to tumble huge amounts of rocks at a time. Besides, it would damage the rocks for sure. So, experts always recommend high-tech rubber barrels even for hobbyists. Professional-grade rock tumblers feature metal barrels having rubber lining though!
Noise Production:
It’s not always possible to set the tumbling kit in a remote area. So, you should look for a tumbler that doesn’t make a huge noise. In this regard, we suggest the rubber barrels again that are better for low noise production.
As you know, rock tumbling is a long process and the machine runs for 24 hours for several weeks. So, it should be quite enough unlike the ones with plastic barrels.
Barrel Number:
Although it pretty much depends on you whether you would go for one or two barrels, our experience says that having two barrels is always a better decision. Not only the outcome would be way sleeker but also you can polish rocks having different hardnesses at a time. What a great convenience, isn’t it?
Types:
Vibratory or rotary, which type of tumbler perfectly fits your need for tumbling agates?
Well, both can perform pretty well. But vibratory is our favorite as it takes less time. Also, they are better for polishing grits and gravels with more perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can You Put Agates In A Rock Tumbler?
Answer: Absolutely yes. In fact, agates are one of those rocks that can be successfully tumbled in any kind of rock tumbler. Although they require high-performance machines to be polished smoothly.
Q: How Long Does It Take To Tumble Agates?
Answer: It depends on which type of tumbler you are using. If you choose rotary tumblers, agates might need five weeks to be tumbled properly. A vibratory tumbler reduces the time though, by almost two weeks.
Final Words
To sum up, we must admit that finding the appropriate tumbling kit is quite challenging, particularly for agates which have a hardness level of seven. So, you need heavy-duty machines to turn them into beautiful jewelry pieces.
Hopefully, our top two picks as the best rock tumbler for agates help you make an informed buying decision. Both of them perform great when it comes to polishing edgy rocks into sterling stones.
However, as a budget-friendly option, National Geographic Tumbler is the best buy. And if you need an advanced tumbling kit that works both for kids and adults, Dan & Darci Store Tumbler is the right one for you.
Have you decided on your pick? Let us know in the comment section below.
