2026 Worldwide Rock Tumbling Contest (Part 3): The Patience of Stage 1 & Rock Closeups

It’s Week 2 of the 2026 Worldwide Rock Tumbling Contest! I’m doing a second Stage 1 clean out of the Dead Camel Mountain Jasper, and today we’re taking a closer at some of the rocks that are shaping up into potential submissions. *More of This Batch* Part 2: https://youtu.be/qvYLQ-xEU0I Part 4: https://youtu.be/xwiwbnHCkzc *Video Summary* Is it ready for Stage 2? It’s tempting to move rocks forward when they look shiny and wet, but in this video, I show you why patience is a virtue in rock tumbling. We’re doing a deep-dive inspection of this Nevada Jasper to find the tiny fractures and indents that would impact final polish. I also talk about the T-Bone Steak vibes of this material and why I’m holding back my biggest pieces for just a little longer. *In This Video* - ASMR Clean Out: For those who love the sound of rinsing rocks! [00:16] - The "Wet vs. Dry" Test: Why a rock that looks perfect wet might still have hidden flaws. [01:24] - Spotting Imperfections: Identifying the tiny fractures that trap polish later on. [04:14] - T-Bone Steak Jasper: Admiring the amazing banding and colors emerging in this batch. [02:08] - Reloading the Barrel: Balancing the load with fresh rough and Stage 1 grit. [06:40] *Join the Fun* Feather River Lapidary & Mineral Society: https://www.featherriverrocks.org/ *Equipment* - Rotary Tumbler: Dual 3lb Central Machinery tumbler from Harbor Freight - Stage 1 Grit: 60/90 Silicon Carbide from The Rock Shed - 20 Mule Team Borax Subscribe to follow my progress in the 2026 Worldwide Rock Tumbling Contest! #RockTumbling #FRLMS #Jasper #Lapidary #RockHounding #RotaryTumbler #Stage1 #RockASMR More updates and past batches at https://www.instagram.com/eyetumbleforya