Home >> Science & Nature >> Rocks & Minerals

How to Drill a Hole in Quartz

Quartz crystals are prized by many people for their beauty. Found in colors ranging from milky white to rose and smoke gray, quartz is often used to make a variety of jewelry. Transforming quartz into jewelry often requires that you drill a hole to insert a wire or loop. Rated as having a hardness of 7, quartz requires the use of a specialized coated drill that is specifically designed to cut through hard materials.

Things You'll Need

Drill
Diamond tip bit
Vise
Water
Safety glasses

Instructions

- 1
  Place a piece of quartz crystal on the table of a drill press. Secure the quartz with a spring clamp to hold it in place while drilling.
- 2
  Insert a diamond tip drill bit into the chuck of the drill press. Tighten the chuck securely to hold the drill bit in place.
- 3
  Set the speed of the drill press to between 3,000 and 5,000 revolutions per minute. This will help prevent overheating the quartz and possible cracking.
- 4
  Start the drill press and allow it to come up to speed. Add 1 tsp. of water to the surface of the quartz. Lower the tip of the spinning bit to contact the quartz surface. Scuff or make an entry mark.
- 5
  Raise the bit and lower once again until it bites into the quartz and begins to drill a hole. Apply steady pressure on the bit to drill through the quartz. Raise and lower the bit periodically to allow water to enter the hole and cool the rock and bit. Add water as necessary.
- 6
  Monitor the progress of the bit as it cuts through the quartz. Reduce the downward pressure on the bit as it begins to approach the opposite side of the stone to prevent cracking and splitting.

Rocks & Minerals