Gear guide
Best ceramic media for rock tumbling: sizes and how much to buy
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Ceramic media is non-abrasive filler: small ceramic cylinders or balls that bring an under-filled barrel up to level, cushion the load and carry grit into hollows. A rotary barrel should run between 1/2 and 3/4 full, with about 2/3 as the usual target, so whatever the rocks do not fill, media makes up. Ceramic is hard and non-porous, so it can be rinsed and reused from step to step; many hobbyists still keep a separate batch for polish. Count media as rock when measuring grit. The packs differ in two ways: piece size and weight. Small pieces around 1/8 inch fit between small stones and into hollows, the 3/16 by 3/8 inch cylinder is the size most listings offer, and larger pieces fill space faster. A 1 lb or 2 lb pack tops up a small barrel, since a 3 lb barrel holds only about 2 lb of rock; 8 lb packs make sense for large barrels or for keeping separate batches. This guide compares seven packs by the shape, piece size, weight and material their listings state. None were run in a tumbler.
Compare the picks
| Pick | Shape | Piece size | Weight | Material | Price | Per lb | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hiceeden ceramic media, 1/5 x 2/5 in cylinders, 8 lb | Cylinder | 1/5 x 2/5 in | 8 lb | Alumina ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
 GANGOU ceramic media, 3/16 x 3/8 in, 8 lb bucket | Cut cylinder | 3/16 x 3/8 in | 8 lb | Non-abrasive ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
 GANGOU ceramic media, 3/16 x 3/8 in cylinders, 4 lb | Cut cylinder | 3/16 x 3/8 in | 4 lb | Non-abrasive ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
 GANGOU small ceramic media, 1/8 x 1/4 in, 2 lb | Small cylinder | 1/8 x 1/4 in | 2 lb | Non-abrasive ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
 Hohohen ceramic beads, 1/8 in (3 mm) balls, 2 lb | Ball | 1/8 in (3 mm) | 2 lb | Non-abrasive ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
 YHAspace ceramic media, 1/4 x 1/2 in, 8 lb | not stated | 1/4 x 1/2 in | 8 lb | Non-abrasive ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
 Hohohen ceramic pellets, 3/16 x 3/8 in, 1 lb | Cut cylinder | 3/16 x 3/8 in | 1 lb | Non-abrasive ceramic | - | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
If you just want one
- Closest match for the jobHiceeden ceramic media, 1/5 x 2/5 in cylinders, 8 lbThe material is named: alumina ceramics, described as non-toxic, non-static and non-residue.
- Most for the money on paperGANGOU ceramic media, 3/16 x 3/8 in, 8 lb bucketPacked in a sturdy plastic bucket for easy carrying and use, according to the listing.
- Most complete listingGANGOU ceramic media, 3/16 x 3/8 in cylinders, 4 lbPiece size is stated exactly: 3/16 inch diameter by 3/8 inch long cut cylinders.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Hiceeden
Hiceeden ceramic media, 1/5 x 2/5 in cylinders, 8 lb
See price on AmazonAn 8 lb bulk pack of alumina ceramic cylinders, 1/5 inch in diameter and 2/5 inch long. The one listing in this guide that names the ceramic, aimed at larger barrels or anyone keeping separate batches.
What the listing offers
- The material is named: alumina ceramics, described as non-toxic, non-static and non-residue.
- The listing says one batch can be rinsed and reused through every grit cycle, with no need for separate batches per stage.
- Described as easy to dry and reuse, for rocks, gems and glass in all types of rock tumblers.
Limits to know
- An 8 lb pack is a lot of filler for a 1 lb or 2 lb kit tumbler, and this listing shows no smaller size.
- One cylinder size only, and the listing does not describe the packaging.
Pick 2 · GANGOU
GANGOU ceramic media, 3/16 x 3/8 in, 8 lb bucket
See price on AmazonAn 8 lb supply of 3/16 by 3/8 inch cut cylinders, packed in a sturdy plastic bucket. A bulk amount for 6 lb and larger barrels, with a container that keeps the media together between loads.
What the listing offers
- Packed in a sturdy plastic bucket for easy carrying and use, according to the listing.
- Piece size is stated: 3/16 inch diameter by 3/8 inch long cut cylinders, described as non-abrasive.
- Listed as reusable in every grit cycle and compatible with any brand of tumbler or grit.
Limits to know
- One piece size only; no smaller or larger cylinders are mixed in.
- The ceramic type is not named, and 8 lb is more than a small kit tumbler will use.
Pick 3 · GANGOU
GANGOU ceramic media, 3/16 x 3/8 in cylinders, 4 lb
See price on AmazonA mid-size 4 lb pack of white non-abrasive ceramic in 3/16 by 3/8 inch cut cylinders. Enough to top up a small or mid-size barrel with some left over to keep as a separate polish batch.
What the listing offers
- Piece size is stated exactly: 3/16 inch diameter by 3/8 inch long cut cylinders.
- The listing says the pellets are reusable and can be used during every grit cycle.
- Stated as compatible with any brand of tumbler or grit, and usable in tumbling and vibrating machines.
Limits to know
- One piece size only; there is no mix of small and large cylinders in the pack.
- The listing does not name the ceramic type or say how the 4 lb is packaged.
Pick 4 · GANGOU
GANGOU small ceramic media, 1/8 x 1/4 in, 2 lb
See price on AmazonA 2 lb pack of small non-abrasive ceramic cylinders, 1/8 inch in diameter and 1/4 inch long. The small pieces fit between small stones, and the title lists the pack for use in rotating tumblers.
What the listing offers
- The smallest cylinder in this guide: 1/8 inch diameter by 1/4 inch long, as stated in the listing.
- Listed as reusable and usable during every rock polishing grit cycle.
- Stated as compatible with any brand of tumbler or grit, with water or liquid compounds.
Limits to know
- The 2 lb pack is small: a large barrel that is well short of full may need more than one.
- The ceramic type is not named and the packaging is not described.
Pick 5 · Hohohen
Hohohen ceramic beads, 1/8 in (3 mm) balls, 2 lb
See price on AmazonRound media instead of cylinders: 2 lb of non-abrasive ceramic balls, 1/8 inch (3 mm) in diameter. The small spheres are an alternative shape for filling the gaps between small stones.
What the listing offers
- The only ball-shaped media in this guide, with a stated diameter of 1/8 inch (3 mm).
- Listed as reusable in every grit cycle and usable with water or liquid compounds.
- The listing says it works with tumblers and grits of all brands.
Limits to know
- A 2 lb pack of 3 mm balls is a small-barrel quantity; larger barrels need a bigger pack.
- The ceramic type is not named and the packaging is not described.
Pick 6 · YHAspace
YHAspace ceramic media, 1/4 x 1/2 in, 8 lb
See price on AmazonThe largest piece in this guide: 8 lb of non-abrasive ceramic pellets listed at 1/4 by 1/2 inch. The bigger pieces fill barrel space faster, an option for larger barrels that need a lot of filler.
What the listing offers
- The largest stated piece size here at 1/4 inch by 1/2 inch, in an 8 lb pack.
- The listing says the pellets are reusable and can be used during every grit cycle.
- Stated as non-abrasive and compatible with any brand of tumbler or grit.
Limits to know
- The listing is brief: it repeats the title and does not state the shape, the ceramic type or the packaging.
- One piece size only, and 8 lb is a lot of filler for a 1 lb or 2 lb kit tumbler.
Pick 7 · Hohohen
Hohohen ceramic pellets, 3/16 x 3/8 in, 1 lb
See price on AmazonThe smallest pack here: 1 lb of non-abrasive ceramic in 3/16 by 3/8 inch cut cylinders. A starter amount for a 1 lb or 2 lb kit tumbler that only needs a little filler.
What the listing offers
- A 1 lb pack with the piece size stated: 3/16 inch diameter by 3/8 inch long cut cylinders.
- Listed as reusable in every grit cycle through the rock polishing process.
- The listing says it works with tumblers and grits of all brands, with water or liquid compounds.
Limits to know
- One pound will not go far in a 3 lb or 6 lb barrel that is well short of full.
- The ceramic type is not named, and the listing gives no packaging details.
Read before you buy
- Why your tumbled rocks are not shiny and how to fix each causeNine causes of dull tumbled rocks, matched to what you see on the stone, with the grit step to go back to and the fix for haze, scratches and bruises.
- Rock tumbling quartz: grit schedule and how to avoid chipped edgesQuartz tumbling recipe: grit and time for each step, how much ceramic media stops chipped and frosted edges, and how quartzite differs.
- Rock tumbling Petoskey stones and other soft rocksPetoskey stone is calcite, about Mohs 3, too soft for the standard recipe. Hand sanding with 220 to 600 grit is usual. A short tumbler schedule if you tumble.
- Rock tumbling obsidian: cushioning, grit and timingObsidian is brittle volcanic glass at Mohs 5 to 5.5. Gentle schedule: barrel 2/3 to 3/4 full, 30 to 50% media, short coarse run, no white bruises.
- Rock tumbling agates: grit, times and common problemsAgate tumbling schedule start to finish: grit and amount for each step, 5 to 8 weeks in total, plus fixes for pits, fractures and dull bands.
More gear for the loading the barrel stage
Tumble Grit chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.