This is very interesting! Good luck with the test and I will watch for that with great anticipation. Cheers!

The ceramic media is as hard as the stones so I can't see how it would provide the cushioning that is so useful when using plastic beads. I don't think it is a "lot" of microplastics but it is a point well made. However I do not wash mine down the drain but capture the slurry in a cement mix. I will try ceramic beads and let you know how I get on. Thanks for the input!

Plastic beads should be removed from the market and not used in anything, it’s the worst thing to use for the environment for people and animals!!!

Thank you so much 😊

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks for sharing, ceramic chips are very commonly used, and very popular with their users so they obviously work. I just think the plastic beads are softer and encourage more movement. I may change my mind in the future, I often do! All the best!

We find the plastic beads are far superior to the ceramic pellets and have used both. Especially in the polish stage the plastic beads produce high quality shine ! Thank you Sir for your excellent commentary and instruction! @@thestonecraftingworkshop7490

Glad it was helpful!

Hi George, nice to hear from you. I did try the tile spacers but really did not have much joy, maybe I will try them again. Everything is good here, good to hear you are OK. Cheers!

@@thestonecraftingworkshop7490 Hey Steve I do have one question.. do you use tap water? we have water here that has a lot of minerals here (I don't even drink the stuff). I was wondering if a chlorine and mineral water would work ok or should I just use the bottled water.. I seem to get a nice shine on my stones but have always wondered if those mineral would leave deposits on them..? Here's hoping the warm weather comes soon eh!

@@tinkmarshino Hi George, I do use just tap water and here in UK it does have Chlorine in it and I have not noticed any effect. I am guessing that if it is a concern, try distilled water? I long for the spring, it has been a wet and windy winter here! All the best!

I am with you on reducing plastic so my first thought was i knew of sandblasting with walnut shells . just had to mention it and then was gazumped by the above comment. Gonna go eat some walnuts ;)

I think I have used borax with the beads but I get such a good finish without that I don't bother with it now. Cheers!

Hi, I don't use any soap or borax etc ( I used to, but found it didn't make any difference). only water, aluminium oxide grits or polish and plastic beads. I don't use ceramic media either, just adding pea shingle from the start, not only saves money but gives you beautifully polished small stones at the end, ideal for mounting on rings or earings!

OK, if they are soft they almost certainly will not polish using a tumbler. I really don't know what you could use to improve the lustre. the only thing I can think of is a polishing wax on a cloth or felt buffing wheel. Sorry I cant be more helpful

Thanks for your knowledge@@thestonecraftingworkshop7490 Appreciate you taking the time to answer.

I don't know if they would work, They may be a little big, I can't think it will do any harm so it must be worth a try. I wouldn't think the colour would stain the stones. best of luck and let us know how you get on.

I am not sure, the plastic seems to work best if is a bit softish, Beading plastics tend to be harder I think? I would give it a try, it will be better that nothing and certainly gentler than ceramic chips. Best of luck!

You certainly do need grit. You say you have smoothed out the rocks? Is that at the first stage, (60 or 80 grit) ? If so just continue as you would normally, 220 grit, 400 grit and polish simply adding plastic beads at each stage. Remember to use beads dedicated to each stage. ie. use one lot of beads at 220 grit stage then another lot at 400 stage and so on. keep the beads for each stage separate and re-use over and over! Best of luck!

@@thestonecraftingworkshop7490 ok thank u so much!!

Hi Dennis, I have tried the tile spacers in the past but did not seem to get very good results, maybe I will try them again sometime. All the best!

I only use plastic beads and no other additives, best of luck!

www.stonetools.co.uk/polishing-powder-marble-pote-malaysia You will have to buy a Kilo but it will last for years! You can buy smaller amounts here, also Cerium (Auorepol) www.ctmpotterssupplies.co.uk/polishingpowders.html

I was referring to "extra" chemicals down the drain. As a matter of interest we do not buy any liquid soaps (only washing up liquid) and use only shampoo bars etc. So we do try to keep our use of plastics and chemicals to a minimum. Thanks for watching.

You can avoid polluting. But choose to pollute?

Cushion the rocks from smashing into each other too much causing cracks

I do explain in the video!

True, as a household we have reduced our use of plastics quite a lot, we do not buy liquid soap shampoo etc only bars so no bottles, we never buy plastic carriers and we re-use all food bags (peas porridge etc), sometimes as freezer bags and sometimes as waste bin bags. In mitigation of plastic beads they are not single use but used over and over again. Also by using the beads I no longer use soap or borax so less chemicals. I will try tumbling without any of these additives so look out for the video! Thanks for bringing this up, I would be interested to hear other views. Cheers!

I agree.... No more plastic tubs for ice cream No plastic fans in the computer No plastic power points No plastic Chinese take away food containers No plastic inkjet printers No plastic toothbrushes No plastic bevels around the TV No plastic flower pots etc, etc, etc. Let's outlaw all plastics....What say you, kein

Hi, try to keep a sense of perspective. Rock tumbling uses only tiny amounts of beads and they are used and re-used so not single use. If you buy any food in plastic wrapping in the course of a year you will use loads more plastic. We re-use all of our household plastic food bags so they are not single use, never buy plastic shopping or waste bin bags and only buy soap bars not liquid soaps so to reduce our plastic footprint. As humans we impact the planet from the day we are born, the best we can do is try to keep the impact to a minimum. I do appreciate you caring but try not to be sad, it is still a wonderful world!

@jayneadore1812: Just wondering if you have computer (uses 30-40% plastic) or TV or mobile phone (40% plastic) or microwave or any household appliances or devices, car, etc. Anything that is melted down and molded are made of some kinds of plastics. Almost all we have uses plastics components or parts. Even those made with bio-based plastics are still not biodegradable or compostable. Do you have any of those above? If so, that is ‘extremely irresponsible’ as you have stated yourself. BTW, most medical equipments (that saves lives) are also made with plastic materials. Syringes, stethoscopes, BP monitors, Oxygen concentrators, CT scan, MRI, EKG, CPAP, BiPAP, non rebreather mask, disposable scalpels, etc. Note also that PVCs are made of plastic polymers. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) is a high-strength thermoplastic material. It is widely used in applications such as pipes, medical devices, and wire & cable insulation...the list is endless. It is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer.