If you are interested in creating beautiful stones, you need to follow all of the rock tumbler instructions. Currently the most popular machine is the rotary drum. This drum has allowed people to produce amazing looking rocks that they can utilize to create crafts that are simply stunning in appearance.

The process takes at least one month to successfully complete. It would behoove you to keep records of the steps that you are performing with the rocks to ensure that you are following the instructions as directed. It will also give you a good idea of where each batch of rocks is in the process.

Before you get started you will need a few pertinent materials. You will need a rotary tumbler, rocks, and a package of plastic pellets, silicone carbide coarse and fine grits, polishing compounds, and some water. The rock tumbler instructions are pretty much to the point, so you should have no problem adhering to what needs to be done.

1. You will fill the machine 2/3 to 2/4 full of regular rocks. If you are short on the amount of rocks that you have you can utilize the plastic pellets as a filler.

2. Add water to the rocks but not enough to saturate the rocks completely. The rocks should not be covered by the amount of water that you add, just below the top layer of rocks is perfect.

3.After water has been added you may then add in the coarse grit. You should then turn the machine on and allow the machine time to knock off all the hard edges on the rocks. The stones should come out appearing soft in appearance without the pointy edges that rocks often times have.

4. After finishing the initial grinding process, which will take anywhere around 12-24 hours to complete, you should remove the rocks and get rid of any extra debris that may have been left behind. Rinsing the rocks with water will get rid of any extra grit and debris.

5. The next step is to repeat all of the previous steps with different sized grit for about a 4 week time period. Following the coarse grit, use the fine grit, the pre-polish, the polish and finally a "burnishing" process using a soap compound (Ivory soap will work just fine).

6. Stand back and marvel at the beautiful gemstones you have created!

As long as you adhere to all the guidelines in your rock tumbler instruction booklet, as well as the above guidelines you should be able to consistently have rocks that are beautiful and shiny in appearance.

The process for utilizing your tumbler is a prolonged one. Patience is a virtue however, and at the end of it all, you will be left with a beautiful bunch of polished stones ready for your jewelry or crafts.