How to use Abalone in a Rock Tumbler

Polish abalone in a rock tumbler.

Abalone is a shellfish that lives in shallow ocean water. The outer shell covering contains a white, limestone layer. The inside of the shell is iridescent and contains a variety of colors including pink, blue and green. Because of the unique coloring on the interior of the shell, abalone is used to make various pieces of jewelry. Before the shell is made into jewelry, it is polished to remove the outer layer which reveals the underlying coloring.

Things You'll Need

• Abalone shells
• Rock tumbler
• Water
• 80-grit and 600-grit tumbling powder
• Bucket
• Polishing powder
• Crushed walnut shells
• Cotton cloth
• Dust mask

Instructions

1. Fill a rock tumbler with abalone shells until the tumbler is one-half to three-quarters full.

2. Fill the tumbler with water until the water level just covers the shells. Add three tbsp. of 80-grit tumbling powder into the rock tumbler.

3. Place the top on the rock tumbler and seal it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Plug the tumbler's cord into an electrical outlet and turn on the rock tumbler. Allow the rock tumbler to run continuously for one week.

5. Turn off the rock tumbler and remove the barrel from the tumbler base. Fill a bucket half full of water and submerge the entire barrel into the water to prevent dust from flying up into the air. Turn the tumbler over to dump the shells into the bucket. Set the tumbler barrel aside.

6. Wash the shell with your hands to remove any dust and polishing powder that is clinging to the surface. Place each washed shell inside the tumbler barrel when it is clean.

7. Fill the tumbler with water until the shells are once again covered with water. Add three tbsp. of 600-grit polishing powder to the tumbler.

8. Reattach the tumbler barrel to the base and turn on the rock tumbler. Allow the rock tumbler to run continuously for an additional week.

9. Remove the shells and wash them in a bucket that is filled half-way with water.

10. Place the shells back into the tumbler barrel and fill with enough water to cover the shells. Place two tbsp. of polishing powder and two tbsp. of crushed walnut shells into the tumbler barrel and place it back on the base. Turn the tumbler on and allow it to run for four days.

11. Remove the abalone shells from the tumbler and wipe them with a cotton rag to remove the polishing residue and buff to a shine.

Tips & Warnings

• Discard the water from the bucket by pouring it outside on the ground. Do not pour it into a drain, as it will harden and clog the drain.

• Polishing grit and tumbling powder are available at craft stores and hobby stores.

• The outer lime coating on abalone is toxic if inhaled. Wear a dust mask while polishing the raw shells and perform the tasks outdoors if possible.

References

• World Aquaculture: Abalone Profile
• Pauamana: How do I tumble Paua Shell?