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 that the holes in most purchased, gemstone beads have been drilled. If you look at your hand reamer bit you will notice that it is graduated as are the drill bits used by manufacturers. A bead is either drilled from one side to the other, so the hole is bigger on one end that it is on the other; or it is drilled from both sides, which may not line up, so although the bead looks like it has a good sized hole all the way through, inside the hole is smaller and may not be aligned straight across the bead!
Using a hand reamer on softer materials like pearls, malachite, fluorite, etc will work better if you ream under water and use a continuous in and out motion. The diamond reamer used is actually grinding the material away, which collects on the reamer and needs to be flushed, both off of the reamer and out of the bead. The water also acts as a cooling agent and a lubricant for both the bit and the material.
On harder materials (agates, quartz, etc) you may find that using a press for a dremel or a flex shaft will work. Again, always work with the bead underwater at slow speeds, in and out, and use quality diamond bits. Be sure to wear safety glasses to avoid accidents if the bead should shatter.
There are two basic ways that the holes in most purchased, gemstone beads have been drilled. If you look at your hand reamer bit you will notice that it is graduated as are the drill bits used by manufacturers. A bead is either drilled from one side to the other, so the hole is bigger on one end that it is on the other; or it is drilled from both sides, which may not line up, so although the bead looks like it has a good sized hole all the way through, inside the hole is smaller and may not be aligned straight across the bead!
Using a hand reamer on softer materials like pearls, malachite, fluorite, etc will work better if you ream under water and use a continuous in and out motion. The diamond reamer used is actually grinding the material away, which collects on the reamer and needs to be flushed, both off of the reamer and out of the bead. The water also acts as a cooling agent and a lubricant for both the bit and the material.
On harder materials (agates, quartz, etc) you may find that using a press for a dremel or a flex shaft will work. Again, always work with the bead underwater at slow speeds, in and out, and use quality diamond bits. Be sure to wear safety glasses to avoid accidents if the bead should shatter.
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 took a round cake pan and cut a piece of wood the same size. We put the wood in the bottom of the pan and filled it about 1/3 of the way with water. (It is imperative that rock be drilled in water to flush out the rock 'mud' as it grinds away and to keep both the material and drill bit cool.) This pan is then placed under a hand-operated drill press fitted with a diamond bit. (Choose a sintered bit that has diamond impregnated throughout the bit whereas a plated bit just has diamond around the outside edges and will wear out very quickly.) Using a constant up and down motion, the drill is continuously and evenly pressed against and into the rock, until a hole goes through it. Depending on both the hardness of the material being drilled and the desired depth of the hole, be prepared to go through several diamond bits before the hole is finished.
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 took a round cake pan and cut a piece of wood the same size. We put the wood in the bottom of the pan and filled it about 1/3 of the way with water. (It is imperative that rock be drilled in water to flush out the rock 'mud' as it grinds away and to keep both the material and drill bit cool.) This pan is then placed under a hand-operated drill press fitted with a diamond bit. (Choose a sintered bit that has diamond impregnated throughout the bit whereas a plated bit just has diamond around the outside edges and will wear out very quickly.) Using a constant up and down motion, the drill is continuously and evenly pressed against and into the rock, until a hole goes through it. Depending on both the hardness of the material being drilled and the desired depth of the hole, be prepared to go through several diamond bits before the hole is finished.
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: $109.95
- Gold Club Price: $82.46
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
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: Tools
- Technique(s): Filing / Finishing, Hole Punching, Beading, Tools
Dale Armstrong
Other Tips by Dale Armstrong
Wire Jewelry to Make as You Sell
All About Soft Wire
Chain Lavaliere
Wire Metal Substitutions
Glue for Finishing Cords
My Fingers Hurt
Taming the Wild Wire Bundle
Making Matching Freeform Earrings
What is My Wire's Circumference
Testing True Ivory
Is My Coral Real
Wrapping Tiny Cabs
Finished Leather Cord
Prevent Scratches on Cabochons
Crystal Wave Ring Finishing Tips
Purity and Sensitivity with Argentium Silver
Wrapping Coins for Jewelry
Wrapping a Large Pearl Ring
Perfect Chain for Wire Jewelry
How Do I Keep Square Wire From Twisting When Wrapping
Wire Temper by Number
Will Liver of Sulfur Harm Lampwork Beads
Forging Copper Wire
Insurance for Art and Craft Shows
Wire Temper for Ear Pins
Wire Size for Wrapping a Cabochon
Can I Use the Copper Wire From Electrical Wire
Wire Jewelry for a Home Party
What is a Juried Craft Show
Wire Wrap Ideas for Beginners
What is the Difference Between Different Plated Jewelry
Wrapping Pearls onto a Hair Grip
Formulas for Pricing Jewelry and Selling Jewelry- Boutique Markup
White Gold in Wire Jewelry
What is White Gold
How to Clean and Repair Ivory Jewelry
Twisted Wire Tips
Forging Wire
Gemstone Ratings Explained
Finishing a Cabochon Frame
Making Tiny Headpins Larger
Sorting and Using Scrap Wire
Silver and Nickel in Ear Wires
Options for Practice Wire
Help with Pricing Wire Jewelry
Flush Cutters vs. Side Cutters
Wrapping Small Gemstones
Argentium Silver Care
Proper Care of Pearls and Opals
Wire Wrapping Stones with No Holes
Cup Bur Sizes for Wire Gauges
Learning How to Sell Jewelry
Seashell Jewelry with an Underwater Finish
Anodized Aluminum and Chipping
Rock Tumbling 101
Home Jewelry Show Inventory
Wire Wrapping Term - To Show
Lindstrom or Swanstrom Pliers
What is Niobium Wire
Can Lindstrom Cutters be Repaired
Trillion Ring Designs
Copper Hat Pins
Making Wire Jewelry from Patterns, and Copyright
Removing Nicks and Scratches
Pricing Jewelry Made with Gold Wire
How to Polish Apache Tears
Which Wire Should I Use to Make My First Bracelet
Working with Small Jump Rings
Repairing a Bead Wire
What is Silicon Carbide Cloth
Mixing Sterling Silver and Argentium
Wrapping a Pear-Shaped Cut Stone
Wrapping a Rectangle Cab
Oxidizing Sterling Silver
What to Use in Jewelry Tumbler
Wire Gauge for Hoop Earrings
Using a Ring Mandrel
Protecting Copper from Tarnishing
Resizing a Shank with Wire
Setting Stones in Jewelry
Bending Pattern Wire
Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles
Best Way to Make Jump Rings
Removing Marker from Jewelry Wire
Wire Size for Earrings
Where to Place Wraps on Free-Form Pieces
How Do I Find Shows in My Area
Master Wire Gauges with Draw Plates and Draw Plate Tips
Holding Bundles of Wire Straight
Twisting Wire Evenly
Why Use a Designer's Notebook
Embossing Hammers and Wire Texture
Making a Bracelet with Prong Set Stones
What are Cold Connections
Supply Lists for Wire Jewelry DVDs
Patina Silver-Plated Wire
Prevent and Remove Verdigris
Is Work-Hardened Half Hard Wire, Hard Enough
What Are Some Better Selling Beginner Items
Removing Glue from Dichroic Glass
One Jump Ring Gauge to Rule Them All
Adjusting Jewelry Prices with the Metal Market
Making Wire Jewelry for Men
Determining Carat Weight
Building on Snake Style Chain
How to Keep Stainless Shot Free of Residue
Crochet Wire Designs
Heating Porcelain Cameos
Storing Your Jewelry
How to Win Awards for Jewelry Design
Wrapping Small Stones
Tips for Working with 18G Wire
Organizing Beads for Easy Jewelry Making
What Is a Cabochon
The Best Wire Temper for Rings
Making Wire Jewelry with Crystals
When to Use Flat Nose Prong Making Pliers
Measuring for a Bracelet
What Chain Sizes Are Best
Pharaoh Ring Wires
How to Wrap a Broken Cabochon
How Do You Use Memory Wire
Organizing Jewelry Wire
Starting Position of Wrap for Ring Shanks
Faceted Gemstone Terms
What is the Average Size for Bracelets
Red Rouge
Rosary Links and Wire Temper
Jewelers' Saws and Jump Rings
Wrapping Cabochons
What is Rolled Gold Wire
Traditional Gemstone Pendant Wrapping
Flattening Wire with Hammers
Foolproof Jump Ring Closures
How to Use a Wire Gauge
Jazz up Your Jewelry
Optivisor Distance and Magnification
Photographing Your Wire Jewelry
Prong-Setting Ideas for a Cut Stone
Sterling Silver and Fresh Water Pearls
Ultimate Jewelry Tool Shopping List
Wire Jewelry Tool Care
How to Set Stones into Earring Snapsets
Make a Finished Ribbon Necklace
Sell or Display Valued Stones
Cleaning Sterling with Baking Soda
Purple Turquoise and Turquoise Facts
Irradiated Quartz Necklace
Removing Rust Without Damaging Tools
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2024 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart