How to Drill Gem Stones

Decide how you will mount or hang your gem stone before you start drilling. Each hole lessens the value of a gem and adds visible flaws, so you do not want to drill more than once.

Fill a small butter tub with water. Diamond drill bits are meant to be kept wet, and the easiest way to do this is to do your drilling in water. Some drills have a built-in water cooling feature that drips water down the bit.

Hold the drill perpendicular to the stone. If your angle is off, you can cause cracking at the entry or exit point. A drill press will allow you to drill at an exact angle with ease.

Use a gentle up and down motion to keep fresh water moving under the drill bit. Be careful not to bring the drill down to hard or you will knock diamonds off the bit.

Start with a diamond drill bit in the size you want the hole to be (under 1 inch is recommended). Softer stones, like Amber, do not need a diamond bit, but it is a safe all around purchase for the widest range of stones and gems. You may want to consider a kit that comes in a few sizes ranging from 1 to 2 mm.

Consider a GIA course on jewelry manufacturing if you find a passion for creating necklaces and earrings with gem stones you have drilled yourself (see Resources below).