How to Make a Hole in a Gemstone

Gemstones are semi-precious or precious minerals that are polished to a smooth, glossy surface, usually in a rock tumbler. Many gemstones are used for rings and placed in settings. Many others are turned into pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. These require drilling to accommodate chains or stringing cable. Specialized lapidary drills with adjustable speeds for different varieties of gems are commercially available. However, many hobbyists adapt a standard home drill press for this purpose and get satisfactory results. Small holes, less than 12 mm, can be drilled with a standard drill press fitted with a diamond core bit designed for drilling rock.

Things You'll Need

• Drill press or lapidary drill
• Diamond core bits
• Lapidary wax
• Butter dish or small plastic container

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Select the correct size diamond core bit.

   • 2

     Insert the bit in the drill press chuck with just enough of the bit exposed to drill the depth of the hole. Excessive drill length will cause wobble and may snap the bit.

   • 3

     Secure the gem to the wooden drilling block with lapidary wax.

   • 4

     Keep the bit wet while drilling the gem. Place the gem in a small container such as a butter dish filled with just enough water to cover the surface.

   • 5

     Use a gentle up and down motion of the drill press to allow water to continually flow under the head of the diamond core bit.

   • 6

     Turn the gemstone over and back drill, to prevent drill-through damage to the reverse side.