Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Does National Geographic GemFoam actually make tumbled rocks shinier, and is it worth running your rock tumbler for up to three additional days? In this honest GemFoam review, I show how to use it correctly, test it on already-polished jasper and compare its convenience, runtime and cost with my usual Dawn or Ivory soap burnish.
GemFoam is a post-polish burnishing product. It is not a replacement for coarse grit, pre-polish or a true aluminum oxide or cerium oxide polish. It should only be used after the rocks have completed the full tumbling process and have been cleaned thoroughly.
In this video, you’ll learn:
• How to use National Geographic GemFoam
• When GemFoam belongs in the rock-tumbling process
• Why it should not be used as filler during grit stages
• How long the recommended GemFoam cycle takes
• What the rocks looked like before and after the test
• How reusable GemFoam is according to the package
• How its time and cost compare with soap burnishing
• Whether I believe it is worth buying
My result: GemFoam did improve the appearance of the already-polished rocks and was clean and easy to use. However, the cycle took considerably longer than my normal soap burnish, and the cost makes it difficult for me to recommend over Dawn or Ivory for most rock tumblers.
GemFoam may be useful for someone who wants a simple prepackaged system and does not mind the longer runtime. It will not repair scratches, pits or an incomplete polish from earlier stages.
Chapters
00:00 Does GemFoam improve rock shine?
01:19 How to use GemFoam correctly
03:09 Three-day GemFoam results
04:45 GemFoam pros, cons and value
06:11 Why I prefer soap burnishing
Have you tested GemFoam, Dawn, Ivory soap or Borax? What gave you the best result?
#GemFoam #RockTumbling #RockPolishing #RockTumbler #WillORocks
Does National Geographic GemFoam actually make tumbled rocks shinier, and is it worth running your rock tumbler for up to three additional days? In this honest GemFoam review, I show how to use it correctly, test it on already-polished jasper and compare its convenience, runtime and cost with my usual Dawn or Ivory soap burnish.
GemFoam is a post-polish burnishing product. It is not a replacement for coarse grit, pre-polish or a true aluminum oxide or cerium oxide polish. It should only be used after the rocks have completed the full tumbling process and have been cleaned thoroughly.
In this video, you’ll learn:
• How to use National Geographic GemFoam
• When GemFoam belongs in the rock-tumbling process
• Why it should not be used as filler during grit stages
• How long the recommended GemFoam cycle takes
• What the rocks looked like before and after the test
• How reusable GemFoam is according to the package
• How its time and cost compare with soap burnishing
• Whether I believe it is worth buying
My result: GemFoam did improve the appearance of the already-polished rocks and was clean and easy to use. However, the cycle took considerably longer than my normal soap burnish, and the cost makes it difficult for me to recommend over Dawn or Ivory for most rock tumblers.
GemFoam may be useful for someone who wants a simple prepackaged system and does not mind the longer runtime. It will not repair scratches, pits or an incomplete polish from earlier stages.
Chapters
00:00 Does GemFoam improve rock shine?
01:19 How to use GemFoam correctly
03:09 Three-day GemFoam results
04:45 GemFoam pros, cons and value
06:11 Why I prefer soap burnishing
Have you tested GemFoam, Dawn, Ivory soap or Borax? What gave you the best result?
#GemFoam #RockTumbling #RockPolishing #RockTumbler #WillORocks
