Advice please

[831]

Hi All.

I am now going to try to turn my hand to making jewellery. I have not started yet though I have got a few tools & some stones like smoky quarts. My question is this though.

Cabochons how can you put holes in them? what kind of drill bits would I need & also what kind of drill can I use. Could I get away with a normal hand tool like a dremel or would I need a bigger drill?

I have a few of these Cabochons all different sizes & I need to put holes in them so its the what bits do I need is the big question.

I hope some one can help me here.

Have fun all
831

[mjbelkin]

Cabochons are not designed to have holes drilled in them - you're supposed to either put them in settings, or create a setting.

[Running_wild]

As the first reply said. Cabochons are not for drilling but if you look at a site like P J Minerals you can buy settings for your cabochons and make them into brooches, pendants, earrings etc.
Beads for jewellery making come ready drilled.
hope this helps.

[momoab]

As mentioned above cabo's are not designed to be drilled, but this does not really answer your question does it :)

Get a diamond bur, one for drilling and a round one.
If you are drilling hole with a diameter of 1mm take a 0.6 to 0.9 mm round bur, start the hole with it, otherwise with the drilling bur you will skrach the stone all over and using lots of liquid ( i use water in a glass and drill driectly inside, or oil ) drill very very slowly, do not apply presure.
Make sure you also drill the exit whole before you exit otherwise it will chip the stone.
Keep in mind that the hole you have made will be foggy and unpolished, on topaz and quartz hmmm dont think it will look nice.
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