$49.99 when purchased online
Target Online store #3991
About this item
Highlights
- A complete rock tumbling kit with a tumbler, rough rocks, polishing grit, jewelry fastenings, instructions, and a learning guide.
- This kit includes 12 varieties of premium gemstones.
- A fun and easy way for kids or new rock-tumbling enthusiasts to start a hobby that can last a lifetime.
- Detailed learning guide teaches about natural rock polishing processes and more.
Description
The National Geographic Deluxe Series Rock Tumbler kit is a fantastic way to start an exciting new rock tumbling hobby! This kit has all the features and accessories you’ll need to transform rough rocks into extraordinary gemstones, start an awesome rock collection, and create beautiful jewelry. From the leakproof tumbling barrel to the four-stage grit polishing system and 12 varieties of rough rocks, you’ll be all set! Five jewelry settings let you make beautiful pieces from your favorite stones, and easy-to-follow instructions help you become a tumbling expert in no time!
Suggested Age: 8 Years and Up
CPSC Choking Hazard Warnings: Choking_hazard_small_parts
Educational Focus: Geology
Includes: Activity Guide
Battery: No Battery Used
TCIN: 90242396
UPC: 810070623593
Item Number (DPCI): 086-00-0364
Origin: Imported
If the item details above aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 11.94 inches length x 11.07 inches width x 5.48 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 3.99 pounds
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.
Q: I bought the rock tumbler and no matter how many rocks I put in the tumbler itself, The wheel underneath the barrel just keep spinning and the metal barrel with the rocks in it stay still how do I fix it? It should work on the first try…
submitted by Cardguy - 14 days ago
A: Thank you for your question. We’re so sorry to hear that your tumbler arrived defective—this is certainly not the experience we want for our customers. For the fastest resolution, we recommend reaching out to the manufacturer directly. Their contact information can be found on the box and on the back of the user manual. They’ll be happy to help make things right!
submitted byNational Geographic - 12 days agoBrand expert
Q: Grit 1 missing in our kit. Will it work with grits?
submitted by Guest - 14 days ago
A: Thank you for your question. I’m sorry to hear your kit was missing the “Step 1” grit. This four-stage silicon carbide grit for rock tumbling systems is the ideal way to give rough rocks a smooth, polished look. The first rock polishing stage smooths rough edges and provides initial shaping. The second stage smooths the rock surfaces even more. The third stage provides a strong pre-polish, followed by the fourth stage which completes the grit polishing process. Because each step is designed to polish the rocks in a different way, we would be happy to send you a “Step 1” grit to maximize your rock tumbling experience.
submitted byNational Geographic - 14 days agoBrand expert
Q: Does this contain raw tiger's eye? Wouldn't the act of tumbling release the crocidolite/aabestos from the quartz?
submitted by Guest - 5 months ago
A: Thank you for your question! Tumbled Tiger’s Eye does not contain raw, fibrous crocidolite. During the natural formation process, the crocidolite (a type of asbestos) is replaced by quartz through a mineral transformation called pseudomorphism, which stabilizes the material. Once fully replaced by quartz, the fibers are encapsulated, making the stone safe to handle and tumble. When tumbling Tiger’s Eye in a rock tumbler, the process smooths the surface but does not release airborne asbestos because the mineral structure has already changed. However, as with all lapidary work, it’s always a good practice to wet sand or polish to minimize dust and work in a well-ventilated area. Let us know if you have any other questions!
submitted byNational Geographic - 5 months agoBrand expert
Q: What is ths maximum rock size you can do in the tumbler?
submitted by Lorio - 6 months ago
A: Thank you for your question. In a 1-pound rock tumbler barrel, the recommended maximum rock size is about ½ inch to 1.5 inches in diameter. For the best tumbling results, it's ideal to have a mix of small and medium-sized rocks, ensuring there’s enough space for movement and grit circulation. A single larger rock (around 2-3 inch) may fit, but it could limit the effectiveness of the tumbling process. Always aim for a well-balanced load to achieve smooth, polished results!
submitted byNational Geographic - 6 months agoBrand expert
Q: Is the N.G. Rock Tumbler Deluxe Series loud or very noisy?
submitted by Dragonfly Sparrow - 8 months ago
A: Thank you for your question. The National Geographic rock tumbler (when running) is ~75 decibels.
submitted byNational Geographic - 7 months agoBrand expert
Q: Is the barrel rubberized? Or plastic?
submitted by LizB - 8 months ago
A: Thank you for your question. The exterior of the barrel is a hard plastic while the inside of the barrel is rubberized.
submitted byNational Geographic - 8 months agoBrand expert
Q: Can you also use this to reate "sea glass"?
submitted by Mrsjbm - 9 months ago
A: Thank you for your question. Yes, you can use our rock tumbler to tumble glass, though there are a few considerations to keep in mind: 1. Type of Glass: Sea glass, broken bottle glass, or any glass items you want to polish can work well in a rock tumbler. Softer, thin glass may break, so thicker pieces are better. 2. Cycle Time: Tumbling glass can take less time than tumbling rocks. Often, two to four days per grit stage is sufficient, though this depends on the desired finish. 3. Sharp glass: Glass with sharp edges can cut the barrel, so choose pieces that are not jagged
submitted byNational Geographic - 9 months agoBrand expert
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3.6 out of 5 stars with 75 ratings
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Guests are saying
This rock tumbler offers a fun and educational experience for families, allowing kids to explore the fascinating process of rock polishing. With clear instructions and all necessary materials included, it encourages patience and creativity as children watch their rough stones transform into shiny treasures. While it may be noisy and time-consuming, the end results are rewarding, making it a great project for curious minds eager to learn about geology.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.0 out of 5 stars with 40 reviews
broad age appeal: 4.8 out of 5
ease of use: 3.4 out of 5
length of play: 3.4 out of 5
quality: 3 out of 5
value: 3.6 out of 5
72% would recommend
33 recommendations
Didn't work
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Sophia - 2 months ago, Verified purchaser
Doesn't tumble around. The rocks came shattered. What a bomber
Did not work.
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Sarahk - 5 months ago, Verified purchaser
Item did not work when we purchased. Easy return.
Love it
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Kes23 - 7 months ago, Verified purchaser
So far, we have really enjoyed this rock tumbler. At first the drum would not spin and we had to add a rubber band to the outside to create friction for it to work, but later the rubber band came off and it worked fine so this may have just been user error. We kept it in our garage and ran the tumbler for about five days on and off with the first step and they have come out beautiful and polished already. We are looking forward to completing the next two steps over the next few weeks. It requires patience but if you set expectations about how long it will take it is a great activity for kids.
Great product, lid has issues
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Jmorrow13 - 7 months ago, Verified purchaser
We got this tumbler for the kids for the rocks we have collected over time. This tumbler is great for beginners but the worst thing about it is the lid is extremely hard to open. The tumbling does good and doesn’t leak. Just takes up several tries to get the lid off to change out grit. This one is pretty noisy so may want to stick it somewhere you’re not going to have to hear it constantly. Simple instructions and easy to use other than the lid.
Educational and fun
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Lex - 8 months ago, Verified purchaser
Wonderful gift for curious kiddos. They love that they can put their own rocks in with those provided. I will be gifting them additional grit packets for their birthdays so they can polish another round
Fun for kids!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
amarolf33 - 9 months ago
My kids, 10 and 6, were really excited to use this, especially our 6 year old who is an avid rock collector. It was easy to set up and seems pretty sturdy and the instructions were straight forward. I took off a star for noise, but as long as you put it in a more "sound proof" room it's not as bad.
Fun family activity
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
mvog - 10 months ago
Its a fun little rock tumbler set and comes with everything you need for one round of rock smoothing. It is a little loud, so be prepared to put it somewhere that you dont mind hearing the tumbling sound for weeks, or I hope you have a sound proof room. We had no problems with it until the last round when the drum couldn't seem to tighten all the way and it leaked a little. We had to scrub around the top and eventually got it tightened, but I don't think a child could have gotten it. It is definitely more of a family activity, especially with younger kiddos.
Okay
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Kafhef - 10 months ago
The idea is a great idea but once we did it where do you get more. Also it said it had to go for hours to fine smooth the stones. Also have to buy more of the stuff that grinds them . Seems like my grandson wanted to play more but that was all there was
Great activity for kids!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Scs7290 - 10 months ago
This has been such a fun activity for both kids and parents to work on! Helps kids understand tumbling and weathering over time. We have discussed how the different sands can change the rocks too. We managed to put a couple extra rocks in that we found outside to see how they turn out. We put the tumbler down in our basement on my husbands workbench- away from small hands. We were still able to hear it running on our first floor but it wasn’t too bothersome.
Good Stem product
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Skuj24 - 10 months ago
This was a really fun stem project to do with the kids. It takes a very long time so if this is something you want to do in an hour or two it's not gonna happen. It also is very very, very loud. You have to leave it plugged in for hours if you want your stones to be polished well. If you only leave it plugged in for 23 hours, they don't look good, I think it be fun if you had the time and opportunity to leave it plugged in for a few days
A little patience and a lot of fun
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Jessnlove - 10 months ago
My kids loved using this rock tumbler. The instructions are clear and easy to follow and the box contains everything we needed to get pretty, shiny rocks. It took a little more than a month to complete all 3 steps but it was worth the wait. My kids enjoyed using the specimen chart to try and identify their new rocks. The added jewelry kit was a fun way to show off our new treasures.
Cool idea but Takes forever and the sound will drive you mad
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Gerita19 - 10 months ago
First let me say I thought this was the coolest thing ever! Until I opened the box and realized just how long it would take and my impatient kids thought it would be a like one day process but each step takes days. The constant tumbling was driving me absolutely insane so I moved it down to my basement. That didn’t even solve my issue because every day I would think what is that noise only to be reminded that it was the tumbler. The first tumbles weren’t so bad but after awhile I had trouble opening and closing the red canister. I didn’t have it on all the way for one tumble so it got on my counter. I had to ask my husband to help me out because I couldn’t for the life of me open it. Still a cool idea but I wish I loved it just a little more. The excitement died down after the first day for my 10 and 7 year olds.
Cute
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
ken5086 - 10 months ago
The tumbler operates quietly and safely, making it perfect for home use. It includes clear instructions and a variety of rocks to get started, ensuring hours of engaging fun. Kids not only learn about the polishing process but also gain patience and excitement as they watch their creations come to life. A great gift for curious minds!
Nice, easy to use, tumbler
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
AG99 - 10 months ago
I've used other rock tumblers in the past and find them fussy and difficult. This one is much more kid/hobby friendly and fairly easy to use. Realize it will take a month to get any finished, polished rocks. Really, a month, when if you use the shorter time frame time each stage of tumbling. Definitely put this in the garage or basement as there is a fair amount of noise, which is too be expected. This is a solid entry level tumbler which will last about as long as a kids' interest in the hobby. First main issue is the box didn't have enough rocks for the tumbler to actually work. We had to basically double the amount of rocks to even get it moving- pretty disappointing it didn't even have enough rocks. As we moved through each stage, the lid seemed to get harder to get on correctly. It will leak if it's not on right. Overall, it's a decent basic tumbler. You can get more rocks and grit various places. Haven't tried making jewelry yet, my son lost interest about the time we finished the first batch of rocks...
The real deal
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
EllerieE - 10 months ago
I thought this would be more like a toy, but it is the real deal. It is a multi-step process that takes many weeks. They give you multiple grits to take the rough rocks to polished and pretty. It is quite loud, so we moved it to the garage.
Me and my kids love this rock tumble
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Ts97moval - 10 months ago
This rock tumbler is amazing, it even comes with different types of rocks and jewelry accessories for the rocks you really loves, It is really easy to use but can take weeks to complete, it comes with different powder packets to help smooth and round and polish the rocks, all you have to do is put in rocks and powder mix and water then close cap and tumble for a week or more then rinse off and do thw same with each of the other packets, it can be a little loud, so i keep it running in the garage,
Hets the job done but…
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Holliv - 10 months ago
My boys really liked this tumbler at first. The rocks definitely were polished and smooth but after the second time using this the liquid started leaking out and just got worse over time. I now have a mess in my garage from it. So it did the job I just can’t recommend it because of the defect.
Rock tumbler
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Melissa18 - 11 months ago
I was excited to try this out with the kids. When reading the instructions I realized this project takes a few weeks. Each step is at least a few days long. Step 1 great, step 2 I had trouble locking it but got it done. I still need to start step 3. It’s very noisy when running. I put it in our laundry room with the door closed. Be prepared to be in it for the long haul.
Long time
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
gonzalce88 - 11 months ago
This is a neat little rock tumbler. My kids think it’s really cool to see the rocks all nice and shiny. It is very time consuming though. I wasn’t expecting to be doing this for like a month in order to get the rocks fully polished. It’s a bit loud but we put it in the basement and didn’t hear it as much upstairs. I did have to look up instructions online since the ones they had weren’t very clear.
Tumbler love!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Mike C - 11 months ago
This is an incredibly fun project for children AND adults. I have always enjoyed National Geographic products and am very excited this is being offered. Growing up, I was a rock collector. And when I saw this, I thought it would be a great activity to do with my nephew. It sure was! The product allows you to select the length of tumbling. Prior to opening I thought it was a quick tumble activity- however, and very excitingly, the product (can) take ten days to tumble. Everyday was fun anticipating the final result!