The Challenge of Drilling
You've found the perfect beach pebble or cut a lovely pendant cabochon—now it needs a hole for a leather cord or bail. Drilling stone requires an entirely different approach than wood or metal.
The Right Tools
You must use diamond-coated drill bits. Standard twist bits and masonry bits will simply skate on the surface or shatter the gem.
The Submerged Method
Heat and friction kill diamond bits instantly.
- Place your stone in a shallow plastic dish.
- Add just enough water to submerge the stone by roughly a quarter-inch.
- Using a rotary tool on a high speed, begin drilling at a 45-degree angle to establish a notch.
- Slowly stand the drill up to 90 degrees and gently pump the bit up and down to flush out rock dust.
- Let the diamond grit do the work; never force it.
Gallery
