By Linda Shepard, updated Mar 24, 2022

Hand-polishing a beach stone turns a simple rock into a treasured keepsake that showcases the memories of a favorite coastal getaway. This guide walks you through the process, ensuring a professional finish while preserving the stone’s natural character.

Step 1: Clean

Wash the stone with dish soap, water, and a stiff brush. Dry thoroughly to remove all dirt and oils.

Step 2: Coarse Sanding

Using 50‑grade sandpaper, sand the stone in circular strokes for five minutes to eliminate surface imperfections.

Step 3: Medium Sanding

Switch to 150‑grade sandpaper and continue sanding in circular strokes for another five minutes.

Step 4: Fine Sanding

Progress to 600‑grade sandpaper, sanding in circular motions for five minutes to smooth the surface further.

Step 5: Polishing

Apply a teaspoon of powdered polish to 1,500‑grade sandpaper. Sand the stone in circular strokes for 10 minutes or until a sheen appears.

Materials Needed

• Dish soap
• Stiff brush
• 50‑grade sandpaper
• 150‑grade sandpaper
• 600‑grade sandpaper
• 1,500‑grade sandpaper
• Natural stones with no protrusions
• Small tube of powdered polish