How long does a full batch take?

Plan on several weeks. The stones go through four separate grit stages, and each stage runs for days before you rinse and move on.

Is it loud enough to bother the household?

It is audible while running, like most single-speed tumblers. Placing it on a stable surface in a garage, basement or utility room keeps the noise out of living spaces.

What comes in the box?

The tumbler with its leak-proof barrel, unpolished rocks, four grits, five jewelry fastenings, a 52-card gemstone deck and about 170 g of polished stones.

Can it polish hard stones like agate or quartz?

It handles the included rough stones well. Harder material takes much longer, and serious lapidary work is better served by a tumbler with more power and speed control.

Is it a good first tumbler for a child?

Yes. The steps are simple and the kit is self-contained, though an adult should help with grit changes and cleanup.

Do the polished stones work with the jewelry fastenings?

The five fastenings let kids turn finished stones into pendants and similar pieces. Very large stones may not fit every setting.

National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit

Best price now

$52.99at WalmartChecked Nov 8

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit

Best price now

$52.99at WalmartChecked Nov 8

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Price facts

Last seen at $52.99 at Walmart on Nov 8.

Our take on the National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit

A starter rock-tumbling set for kids that combines a leak-proof tumbler barrel with rough stones, four stages of grit, and five jewelry fastenings so polished stones can become pendants and keychains. It adds a 52-card geology deck and about 170 g of polished gemstones as reference specimens. The kit is aimed at beginners and children rather than serious lapidary work; hobbyist tumblers with adjustable speed and larger barrels polish faster and handle harder rocks, while this one keeps the process simple and hands-on. Buyers rate it well overall, with the usual complaints about noise and the time each batch takes.

Best forKids and beginners trying rock tumbling for the first timeFamilies looking for a hands-on STEM activityA child who likes collecting and identifying stonesGift buyers who want a craft project with a learning angle

Pros

Complete kit: tumbler, rough rocks, grit and jewelry fastenings in one box
Leak-proof barrel keeps the messy part contained
Four grit stages take rough stones to a polish
52-card deck teaches gemstone facts alongside the tumbling
Includes about 170 g of polished stones for comparison and collecting

Cons

Single-speed design with no timer or auto shutoff
Each batch takes weeks across the four stages
Barrel is small, so batches are modest
Motor noise is noticeable during long runs
Not built for hard rocks or serious lapidary work

National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by TyeztoyzReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$52.99Free shippingChecked Nov 8
Visit Walmart

What reviewers say

4.2 / 528 ratings

Owners rate it around 4.2 out of 5 and treat it as a solid first tumbler for kids. They like the complete kit and the card deck, and most complaints are about noise and how long a batch takes.

What people mention

NoiseCriticisedOwners say the motor is loud enough to notice during the long tumbling runs.
Batch timeCriticisedReviewers note that going through all four grit stages takes weeks before stones are polished.
CompletenessPraisedBuyers like that rocks, grit and jewelry fastenings all come in the kit.
Learning valuePraisedThe 52-card gemstone deck is a favorite for keeping kids interested while rocks tumble.
Barrel sizeMixedThe barrel is fine for small batches but limits how many stones can be polished at once.

About the National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit

This combo kit from National Geographic includes a rock tumbler, a card game and a set of polished gemstones. Kids add the unpolished rocks from the kit to the leak-proof tumbling barrel, then add grit and water. The rocks tumble through four stages of grit to become smooth, polished gemstones.

The kit includes five jewelry fastenings, so finished gems can be made into wearable pieces. A 52-card deck pairs an image of a gemstone with a science fact on each card. It can be used for memory games, trivia or any traditional card game.

The kit also has almost half a pound (170 g) of assorted polished gemstones. They show real examples of the gems described on the cards.

Color: Blue
Tumbling barrel: Leak-proof
Grit stages: 4
Playing cards: 52 cards, each with a gemstone image and a science fact
Jewelry fastenings: 5
Polished gemstones: Assorted, almost 0.5 lb (170 g)
In the box: Rock tumbler, unpolished rocks, grit, card deck, jewelry fastenings, assorted polished gemstones

Specifications

color: BlueSource

Questions and answers

How long does a full batch take?: Plan on several weeks. The stones go through four separate grit stages, and each stage runs for days before you rinse and move on.
Is it loud enough to bother the household?: It is audible while running, like most single-speed tumblers. Placing it on a stable surface in a garage, basement or utility room keeps the noise out of living spaces.
What comes in the box?: The tumbler with its leak-proof barrel, unpolished rocks, four grits, five jewelry fastenings, a 52-card gemstone deck and about 170 g of polished stones.
Can it polish hard stones like agate or quartz?: It handles the included rough stones well. Harder material takes much longer, and serious lapidary work is better served by a tumbler with more power and speed control.
Is it a good first tumbler for a child?: Yes. The steps are simple and the kit is self-contained, though an adult should help with grit changes and cleanup.
Do the polished stones work with the jewelry fastenings?: The five fastenings let kids turn finished stones into pendants and similar pieces. Very large stones may not fit every setting.
Where is the National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit cheapest?: At Walmart, for $52.99, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the National Geographic Rock Tumbler, Card Game and Specimen Kit?: Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 28 ratings.