Transform Ordinary Yard Rocks Into A Pricey-Looking Stone Vase

You can DIY a vase out of almost anything. A simple pickle jar can be transformed into a chic flower vase with a little time and effort. But did you know that even the rocks in your yard can be transformed into a pricey-looking stone vase? You'll need specific tools to get the job done, but you'll end up with a beautiful stone vase that elevates your grocery store bouquet made from something from your backyard.

In a reel posted to Instagram, @benjaminuyeda demonstrated this process using a rounded, dark grey stone. Placing the stone in a homemade jig to keep it steady, @bemjaminuyeda uses an angle grinder fitted with a masonry grinding wheel to shave one rounded end of the stone. This creates a level base for the vase. Flipping the stone over, a hammer drill is used to make the receptacle in which to place flowers. @benjaminuyeda starts with a ¼ inch bit to drill the pilot hole, then increases to a ⅜ inch bit to widen.

The result is a beautiful stone vase that can be used to display skinny, minimalist decorations like branches, cut ornamental grasses, or single flowers with slim stems like cosmos or ornamental alliums. The rock adds a natural element, creating a chic decoration that, with the right tools, looks incredibly upscale.

The biggest blocker that might make this kind of DIY inaccessible is the tools needed to make it work. You can't just use any old drill bit or grinding wheel to cut into stone. You need tools specifically designed for masonry work. Your angle grinder needs a diamond-tipped grinding cup rated for sanding concrete or granite, such as the STADEA 4" Diamond Concrete Grinding Cup Wheel, which retails for $70. You'll need similar tungsten carbide- or diamond-tipped masonry drill bits, like the Milwaukee Shockwave 10-piece set, currently $38 at Home Depot, paired with a hammer drill.

A hammer drill combines spinning power and reciprocating hammering action to punch through stone surfaces. A Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium Cordless hammer drill, as of this writing, costs $159. Purchasing all of these tools together runs close to $300, not including the PPE like a respirator, gloves, and eye/ear protection. However, if you're a determined DIYer, this is an excellent project.

While you'll spend less money turning a Dollar Tree glass vase into a faux stone masterpiece, nothing quite replicates the natural texture and color of stone. Any stone you find on your property will work, but choose one that can stand on its own and isn't too heavy to handle.