Daily Wire Tip: Dulling Sharp Stone Edges

Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip

Question:

Hi Dale, I have some flat cut rock that I would like to wrap as individual pendants. The rocks have sharp edges on the outside. Is there anything I can use, other than clear finger nail polish, on the edges so that it won’t cut the wire? These are sliced agates, about 1/2" in diameter and about 1/8" thick.

-Jackie in North Branch, Minnesota

Answer:

Actually Jackie, nail polish will not coat the rock slabs well enough to prevent damage to the wire, and it will not stay on the slabs for long. What you could do is to use a diamond bit and a Dremel to carefully round the rough edges.

Be sure to wear safety glasses or goggles and grind using water. For example, grind a bit and then dip the end of the tool in water to cool it, as well as the rock. The water will also help to flush the rock dust from the diamond, helping to keep the tip for getting clogged.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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19 Comments

1. 

   Judith Pace

   November 5, 2010 at 12:06 pm

   Also, seems like this would be a good project for a rotary or vibratory tumbler.
2. 

   Annette "mamaowl" Rivers

   November 5, 2010 at 12:33 pm

   I have successfully done agate slabs by taking a fairly shallow container and putting a chunk of wood in the water. Place your agate on the wood and bring your water to just cover the agate. Drill this way and you can drill without either the drill getting too hot or the agate cracking. I put holes in my agates and string beads and make wind chimes this way.
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 5, 2010 at 11:46 pm

     Annette, the procedure you describe is how I use my drill press to make holes in slabs, that can be used as clock faces.
3. 

   Carole

   November 5, 2010 at 12:46 pm

   Wouldn’t you electrocute yourself by putting the dremel in water?
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 5, 2010 at 11:45 pm

     Carole, you don’t put the whole tool into the water; rather you dip the stone in the water and then grind, occasionally dipping the bit into the water to flush the slurry out.
4. 

   Allys Bell

   November 5, 2010 at 7:20 pm

   Before attempting this project, get a GFIC connector to attach between the Dremel tool and your electrical source– or you could wind up getting fried. Water and electricity don’t mix, so protect against an accident. I have used this method successfully (also with the drill attachment for small holes, but always use my GFIC with the short, three-pronged cord attached. Also, make sure the dust is always suspended in the water to avoid silicosis. Ally
   • 

     rose brooks

     June 28, 2012 at 6:37 pm

     they have cordless drills and battery charged ones. thats the way I do it. I put some of my slabs to get the ruff edges off and was not happy with the way they came out. they were dull and not shiny.
     • 

       Muriel

       May 30, 2013 at 11:25 am

       I need clarification. You put some of your slabs where? What made them dull?
       I am just learning.
       Thank you.
       • 

         Rose

         May 30, 2013 at 11:37 am

         Perhaps she meant “cut”?
         -Rose Marion
5. 

   Mary Phillips

   November 5, 2010 at 9:15 pm

   Note that if you use a Dremel bit to grind or drill shell, always do immersed in water as the dust is toxic.
6. 

   Cairenn Day

   November 6, 2010 at 1:40 am

   There is something else that could help. There is a copper foil tape that stain glass makers use. You can find it some hobby stores, if they sell stain glass supplies.

   It might interfere with your design or you might be able to incorporate it.

   I have used this with glass, when I was setting them in a seed bead bezel.
   • 

     dalecgr

     November 7, 2010 at 9:54 am

     Nice Cairenn!
7. 

   Sally

   June 28, 2012 at 5:35 am

   I use a cordless drill or dremel.
8. 

   Kathy Bloom

   June 28, 2012 at 9:20 am

   Being a stained glass artist, I don’t recommend using the copper foil method for edging the stone. In order for the foil to stick properly, the area it is being applied to must be smooth so you would have to either tumble it or use a dremmel on it first anyway.
9. 

   Roger

   June 28, 2012 at 2:52 pm

   ALWAYS use safety equipment when drilling or grinding. Dust mask and glases are a MUST! Press too hard and what will happen is the diamond coating on the bit will be ripped off. You might even find that the dill bit shears off in the work and then you are stumped!!!
   An altenate method is to use a good diamond file but beware of agate it is a beautiful stone but can be unforgiving in regard to cracking. I have cut many where I have finished cutting and polishing a thin slice, put the stone down and a day later looked to see a little crack from the edge radiating into the center of the stone.
   And concern with electrocution – get a flex shaft then there is no chance of electrical problems.
10. 

    Jen Moss

    June 28, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    I use an old leather glove with some tin oxide to polish up dull stones and rough edges. I move the stone around in my hands with the gloves on and the tin oxide works into the gloves and then does a great job polishing the stone .
    I do this watching TV or just sitting listening to music when I am resting.

    This is a safe , inexpensive and easy method. No risk to stones or yourself
11. 

    Dharlee

    June 28, 2012 at 11:20 pm

    It might be worth mentioning for the sake of safety that there are a few stones that are dangerous (poisonous) to grind.
12. 

    Jayne

    March 28, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I use the Flat Lap of the SwapTop 6″ All-In-Wonder by Inland Lapidary for this purpose.
13. 

    Edna

    December 29, 2016 at 7:43 am

    What is tin oxide and where can it be purchased? Thanks
    Edna