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Tools & Supplies

Updated: 11/13/2025

When I started rockhounding and learning lapidary, I wanted easy-to-find, off-the-shelf tools and supplies — nothing fancy or hard to track down. Everything on this list is something I’ve actually used and recommend.

Some links are Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you). It helps support the hobby and keeps the rock hunting going!

Marble Polishing Pads
Diamond Polishing Pads

9 Pcs, 4" Polishing pads. These pads fit an angle grinder.  To use wiht a drill or drill press, get the Drill Adapter.  

Felt Polishing Pad
Felt Polishing Wheel

Felt Polishing Wheel for use with Cerium Oxide Polishing Powder (75mm)

MK 101 10 inch wet tile saw
Tile SAW

Describe the product here. Include important features, pricing and other relevant info. 

Vevor 8 in drill press
VEVOR 8 in Benchtop Drill Press

The drill press is variable speed and runs quiet.  

Water Pump
Ultra Quiet  submersible Pump

Water fountain pump. 10ft High lift and at 6.5 ft power cord. comes with 3 Nozzles

Drill adapter
1/4" to 5/8" - 11 Shank Drill Adapter

To use the ZFE Diamond Polishing pads with a drill or drill press, use this adapter.  

Dewalt angle grinder
Dewalt Angle Grinder 4.5" 11 amp

This Dewalt corded angle grinder is light and works well.

Cerium oxide 1 lb
Cerium Oxide High Grade Glass Polishing compound

This Cerium Oxide polish works very good on hard rocks like quartz.

China Markers
Diamond Peel-Off China Markers/Grease Pencils

I use Grease pencils to hash the surface of the rocks I polish. 

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Eastman 0.17 Inch ID (1/4 Inch OD) PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing, 10 Foot Length

I use this hose to feed the drip ends or sprayers to keep the rock wet.

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Orbit Flexible Drip Watering Mister

This flexible drip mister lets you bend the hose any way you want and adjust the mist for perfect water distribution.

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Eastman 1/2 Inch ID (5/8 Inch OD) PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing

I use this tubing as needed to supply water from the water pump, then reduce the size to the flexible drip mister. 

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Textile Spot Cleaning Gun

Like a mini power washer for rocks, it shoots a pinpoint stream to blast off dirt and polish residue.

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Drill Brush Attachment

These nylon brushes make it easy to scrub the dirt right off your rocks.

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365nm UV Flashlight

Powerful Blacklight Flashlights for showing off the fluorescence of rocks and minerals.

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HERCULES 10 in. Professional Continuous Rim Diamond Blade with Mesh Rim

I like this continuous rim, mesh diamond blade.  It has a good balance between fast cutting and smooth cutting. 

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10 Inch Diamond Saw Blade, Segmented

I recently tried this segmented blad and I really like it. I am able to get a few hundred large rock cuts from it.  It leaves a semi-smooth cut. 

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DEWALT DW4772T 4-Inch XP Turbo Diamond Cup Wheel

 I use this wheel to contour rocks that I want to polish.  It tends to leave deep scratches.  It takes a light touch to remove the deeper scratches. 

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Hardy 9 MIL Nitrile XXL

These Nitrile gloves work great.  I use them while I cut and polish.  

Orixtreme 10 diamond segmented blade.jpg
10 Inch Diamond Saw Blade, Segmented

I recently tried this segmented blad and I really like it. I am able to get a few hundred large rock cuts from it.  It leaves a semi-smooth cut. 

dewalt DW4772T 4 inch diamond wheel.jpg
DEWALT DW4772T 4-Inch XP Turbo Diamond Cup Wheel

 I use this wheel to contour rocks that I want to polish.  It tends to leave deep scratches.  It takes a light touch to remove the deeper scratches. 

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