Tumbling Instructions furnished by Lortone inc.
(for a rotating type tumbler) posted by Berg's Rock Shop

Select stones for tumbling that are generally 3/4 inch diameter and smaller. A few larger stones may be polished in a load that consists primarily of smaller stones. Proceed as follows:

Step 1 (coarse-60/90 grit): Fill tumbler barrrel 2/3 to 3/4 full of rock. Add 1 &1/2 ounces of coarse abrasive for each pound of rock. Add water to within 1 & 1/2 inches below top of rocks ( not over). After a few hours of running, the grit and water should form a thick creamy slurry (add or remove water as necessary to achieve this consistancy). Run for 7 days and 7 nights opening barrel every 24 to 48 hours to check and maintain the slurry. Note: 1 ounce coarse = 4 level tsps.

Step 2 (medium-150/220 grit ): Remove rock and slurry from barrel. Clean rocks and barrel thoroughly. Return rocks to barrel and proceed as in Step 1 using medium abrasive. Note 1 ounce = 4 level tsps. + a pinch

Step 3 (fine-600F ): Remove rock and slurry from barrel. Clean rocks and barrel thoroughly . Proceed as in Step 1 using one ounce of fine per pound of rock. Note 1 ounce of fine = 8 level tsps.

Step 4 (polish-cerium oxide): Remove rock and slurry from barrel. Clean rocks and barrel thoroughly. Return clean rocks to barrel and add 1 ouce of polish per pound of rock. Add water as in Step 1 and run for 7 days and 7 nights. For an extra high polish, clean rocks and barrel again and add 1 to 4 tbs. of any mild powdered or granulated detergent. Add water to within 1 inch of top of rocks and run for 3 to 6 hours. Remove rocks; rinse and dry on toweling. Note: 1 ounce polish = 8 level tsp.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT use liquid or intesified detergent.

Do NOT empty slurry into household drains.

Clean every speck of grit from rocks, barrel, lids, and gasket after each step but especially before rocks are put into polishing cycles. Handle each rock using toothbrush to clean out every crevice. If this is not done, results will be unsatisfactory.

(It is also handy to have a plastic colander on hand when you are cleaning your rocks from step to step.)