Gemstone Drilling: Techniques & Safety for DIY Projects

Question
I'm very interested in drilling my own gemstones. I prefer to use a thicker hemp, and therefore need a bigger hole. But I'm curious during the drilling, how is the gemstone held? By hand, or what?

Answer
HI SPENCER,

YOU COULD NOT HOLD A GEMSTONE IN YOUR HAND. IT MIGHT MOVE AND FOR SURE IT IS GOING TO GET VERY HOT. YOU CAN USE A VISE TO HOLD THE GEM AND A FINE DIAMOND DRILL BIT TO DRILL THE HOLE. THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO SLOWLY INCREASE THE HOLE SIZE WITH LARGER AND LARGER BITS. IT ALSO DEPENDS ON WHAT TYPE OF GEM MATERIAL YOU ARE DRILLING. THE HARDER THE MATERIAL THE HOTTER IT WILL BE. ALWAYS PRACTICE ON A PIECE OF THE GEM MATERIAL THAT IS BROKEN OR SPARE BEFORE DRILLING THE MAIN PIECE. GOOD LUCK.

PETER