Rough or Tumbled? Which One Should I Choose?

I am a member of quite a few community social groups centered around crystals. We talk about the properties and the energy of stones & minerals among other topics that include metaphysical practices. One of the first questions people in these groups will ask is if you you prefer rough or tumbled stones.

I like both for different reasons. However, lets review what rough versus tumbled stones are and what energy they may bring.

Rough Crystals & Stones

Rough crystals and stones essentially are as natural as you can come close to. It would be what you would find if you excavated or mined the stones yourself. Rough crystals and stones have very little human manipulation and are typically natural in their color, shape and form.

Rough crystals may have a visible matrix where you can see a bevy of mixed minerals that it has grown from. Depending upon the type of crystal or stone, the color may be a bit more muted. This is due to there being a lack of polishing. Polishing wears removes dust, debris and wears down the exterior to draw more color from the stone’s inner areas. However in quartz crystals that natural transparent beauty often remains and in their best interest will not be polished.

Rough quartz stones are also great for seeing their natural shape and form. Its amazing to see their patterns like their striated marks from erosion or the tiny orbs and druze crystalline like openings on their surface. With quartz you can often see the chain DNA structure in which they grow with their six sides that gemologists are inspired to recreate with their copy technique of faceting gemstones.

Quartz have their own natural DNA that makes up the beauty that they are, sometimes referred to as points or elestials which are multiple terminations (points).

One of the last differences to point out about rough stones are their various textures and the sense of feeling a different amount of energy. The energy I tend to pick up from rough stones is a bit different based on their being a multitude of variations in sensory within one stone! There can be a smooth side, a little jaggedness and even some softness. These may all bring about another energy to mind and can even allow for a deeper sense of tactile processing.

Tumbled Crystals & Stones

Tumble stones are processed to create an even, smooth and aesthetically driven product for mostly retail sales. These stones can be shaped into a smaller pieces, carved into specific geometric designs or made into jewelry.

Tumbled stones are manipulated by humans to reach their smooth result.

The process requires a minimum of at least 4 steps.

Step 1) They need to be Coarse Grinded

Step 2 ) They next need a Medium Grind.

Step 3) Fine Grind / Pre-polish

Step 4) The Final Polish

By the time this process is done the stone has gone through a variety of stripping. However, this does not damage the stone.

Tumbled stones have greater popularity. Many people desire to see the luster, shimmer and shine of the stones. Not to mention their in-depth colors. Without tumbling them we may not readily be able to see these qualities and benefit from them and their color characteristics.

In addition, for a community of metaphysical enthusiasts specific shapes and carved tools can be utilized to enhance the goals of someone that wants to work with crystals for greater introspection or facilitate healing for others.

What about the differences in energy?

I like to say to this, energy is as energy does. Meaning I believe the energy of these stones are deeply connected to the energy you already embody and what you may be looking for is already inside of you. The crystals and stones will bring what’s inside to the surface. So for me, both rough and tumbled stones can provide what it is you may be searching for.

As mentioned, rough stones typically have more tactile sensory. These may be ideal for someone that responds to various forms of touch. Where a smooth tumbled stone only provides a few versions of sensory in its texture and size. For this reason, rough stones have the advantage.

If someone is drawn to visual connections and would like to work with certain shapes, tumbled stones may allow for this specific type of energy. As mentioned, they can be carved into eggs, pyramids, spheres, skulls, cubes and many more shapes, which can change charge the energy you give the stone into a specific alignment with what you are attempting to achieve,

Ultimately, the energy is really what you feel and make of it.

Now tell me what is your preference? Rough or tumbled??