Enlarging Holes in Gemstones
Question:
Sometimes the holes in gemstones are too small and I would like to make them larger. I tried a hand reamer but that did not work. Should I use a drill press or something else?
Part 2:
My husband is interested in drilling holes in gemstone beads or slabs that don't have one yet. What's the best way to go about it? What tools will we need?
Sometimes the holes in gemstones are too small and I would like to make them larger. I tried a hand reamer but that did not work. Should I use a drill press or something else?
Part 2:
My husband is interested in drilling holes in gemstone beads or slabs that don't have one yet. What's the best way to go about it? What tools will we need?
Instructions
Answer:
There are two basic ways holes in most purchased gemstone beads are drilled.
Some beads are drilled from one side to the other, so the hole is larger on one end than the other. Others are drilled from both sides, which may not line up. This can make the hole inside smaller or misaligned, even if it looks good from the outside.
When using a hand reamer on softer materials like pearls, malachite, or fluorite, ream under water with a continuous in-and-out motion.
The diamond reamer grinds the material away, which collects on the tool and needs to be flushed off. Water cools and lubricates both the bit and the bead.
For harder materials like agates or quartz, using a press for a Dremel or flex shaft can help.
Always work underwater at slow speeds, using in-and-out motions and quality diamond bits.
Wear safety glasses to protect yourself in case the bead shatters.
There are two basic ways holes in most purchased gemstone beads are drilled.
Some beads are drilled from one side to the other, so the hole is larger on one end than the other. Others are drilled from both sides, which may not line up. This can make the hole inside smaller or misaligned, even if it looks good from the outside.
When using a hand reamer on softer materials like pearls, malachite, or fluorite, ream under water with a continuous in-and-out motion.
The diamond reamer grinds the material away, which collects on the tool and needs to be flushed off. Water cools and lubricates both the bit and the bead.
For harder materials like agates or quartz, using a press for a Dremel or flex shaft can help.
Always work underwater at slow speeds, using in-and-out motions and quality diamond bits.
Wear safety glasses to protect yourself in case the bead shatters.
Answer Part 2:
Each lapidary has their favorite tools and procedures for drilling holes in rock material; the following is how we drill holes in slabs in my studio.
We used a round cake pan filled about one-third with water, with a piece of wood cut to fit at the bottom.
Drilling rock in water is essential to flush out the rock "mud" as it grinds away and to keep both the material and drill bit cool.
The pan sits under a hand-operated drill press fitted with a diamond bit.
Choose a sintered diamond bit, which has diamond impregnated throughout, rather than a plated bit that only has diamond on the edges and wears out quickly.
Use a steady up-and-down motion, pressing the drill evenly into the rock until the hole goes through.
Depending on the material's hardness and hole depth, be prepared to use several diamond bits before finishing.
Each lapidary has their favorite tools and procedures for drilling holes in rock material; the following is how we drill holes in slabs in my studio.
We used a round cake pan filled about one-third with water, with a piece of wood cut to fit at the bottom.
Drilling rock in water is essential to flush out the rock "mud" as it grinds away and to keep both the material and drill bit cool.
The pan sits under a hand-operated drill press fitted with a diamond bit.
Choose a sintered diamond bit, which has diamond impregnated throughout, rather than a plated bit that only has diamond on the edges and wears out quickly.
Use a steady up-and-down motion, pressing the drill evenly into the rock until the hole goes through.
Depending on the material's hardness and hole depth, be prepared to use several diamond bits before finishing.
Materials
No materials listed
Tools
Benchtop Drill Press
DRL-300.00
- DRL-300.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $124.95
- Gold Club Price: $93.71
Drill Press Vise
VIS-265.00
- VIS-265.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $14.95
- Gold Club Price: $11.21
Pearl and Bead Drilling Vise HOL-178.00
HOL-178.00
- HOL-178.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Deluxe Bead Reamer Set
DIB-275.00
- DIB-275.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $15.57
- Gold Club Price: $11.68
Motorized Bead Reamer with Diamond Drill Tip
G16-42
- G16-42
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $26.95
- Gold Club Price: $20.21
Diamond Coated 3/32 Drill Bits - Set of 6
G26-55
- G26-55
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $38.97
- Gold Club Price: $29.23
Cut Lube
BUR-180.00
- BUR-180.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $9.95
- Gold Club Price: $7.46
Jett Basic Fixturing Compound - 1LB JET-300.00
Jet-300.00
- Jet-300.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Foredom Foot Control for 115 Volt Series SR Motors
G22-C.FCT-1
- G22-C.FCT-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $44.44
- Gold Club Price: $33.33
Flex Shaft Motor Hangers, Bench Clamp Model
HOL-620.00
- HOL-620.00
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $31.97
- Gold Club Price: $23.98
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- Category: Tools
- Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Beading, Tools
Dale Armstrong
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