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How do you drill moss agates?
Last post 07-28-2008 2:22 PM by Russ Nobbs. 6 replies.
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  • 07-07-2008 8:41 PM

    How do you drill moss agates?

    Does anyone know how to drill through a moss agates? I bought some diamond drill bits and have tried getting through the stones with no luck. The stones are small, smaller than a quarter and about twice the thickness.

     

  • 07-08-2008 4:57 PM In reply to

    • shanks
    • Joined on 06-04-2004
    • Vancouver, WA
    • Posts 1,275

    Re: How do you drill moss agates?

     I found this link to be very helpful, lots of good information  http://www.rocks4u.com/drillrock.htm

    It does not talk about drilling moss agates directly, but it could help in your quest to make holes.

     

  • 07-15-2008 8:41 AM In reply to

    Re: How do you drill moss agates?

     Under the cautionary heading of "Don't try this at home" BUT! here's how I do it: first, you have to keep the stone and drill bit (pointy end) under water! (This keeps both the stone and the diamond bit cool) and it takes a long time! You can't push/force the point into the stone; just hold it in place and "let the drill do the work" . . . you didn't say whether you're trying to enlarge an already existing hole or if you are starting from scratch. If it's the latter, you should start the hole with a different shaped bit, one that is (counter-intuitively) rounder, to make a little divit for your drilling bit to nestle into. You need two of those little divits, on either side of the stone, and drill half way (outside to center X2) . . . clear? Of course be careful, but I've drilled bizillions of 4mm tourmaline (much harder than agate) without any trouble; just takes time!! Good luck! Jan

  • 07-15-2008 2:05 PM In reply to

    Re: How do you drill moss agates?

     Hardness of tourmaline is 7 to 7.5 on Mohs scale.

    Quartz is about the same 7.0, both are softer in some impure varieties.

    Back in the old forum there was an excellent thread about drilling sea glass, drilling beach glass, drilling stones, drilling glass, and drilling rocks that will answer most ( if not all) of your questions. It's archived at http://cs.beadandbutton.com/beadingforumarchive/forums/p/24096/238794.aspx#238794
    Some other advice is in  a newer thread at http://cs.artjewelrymag.com/artcs/forums/t/1843.aspx
    Another resource is http://lapidaryjournal.com/stepbystep/mar04.cfm

     

    Signature
    Check out the Rings & Things 5 DAY SALE every other week.
    http://www.rings-things.com/sale

    -- Russ ( http://www.rings-things.com - Spokane, WA - USA)
  • 07-17-2008 11:25 PM In reply to

    Re: How do you drill moss agates?

    Thanks for all the direction and leads. I have been successful in drilling through the agates. I think I was trying to rush the process. What I found was that it takes time and a lot of water!
  • 07-28-2008 10:33 AM In reply to

    Re: How do you drill moss agates?

     Glad you got through it!! Without drilling your digits! Russ Nobbs, it must be psychological, that extra .5 hardness between quartz and tourmaline! Tourmaline just *seems* harder (except when I split the bead; probably quartz is tougher than tourmaline?)  . . . & wanted to take this chance to thank you, Russ, for your always-helpful, very informative bits of info scattered here and there: I'm definitely a fan!

    Jan

     

  • 07-28-2008 2:22 PM In reply to

    Re: How do you drill moss agates?

     You are welcome, Jan. Thanks for the kind comments. I enjoy collecting info and sharing it.

    I agree that quartz is a lot "tougher" than tourmaline. Lately tourmaline is getting a lot more expensive, particularly nicer watermelon tourmaline. We didn't buy very much on our last Asian trip because we didn't think we could sell it at the higher prices.

    Signature
    Check out the Rings & Things 5 DAY SALE every other week.
    http://www.rings-things.com/sale

    -- Russ ( http://www.rings-things.com - Spokane, WA - USA)
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