Make Your Own Drilled Stone Pendant: A Drill Press Jewelry Project

Creating your own jewelry is one of the most rewarding ways to express your style, and a drilled stone pendant is a perfect beginner-friendly project that delivers beautiful results. With just a few tools—most importantly a jewelry making drill press—you can transform an ordinary stone into a unique, wearable piece of art. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a lapidary enthusiast, or someone simply curious about DIY accessories, this project offers a fun introduction to stone drilling and jewelry crafting.

A drill press is the ideal tool for this task because it provides precision, stability, and control—qualities that handheld drills often lack. When working with hard materials like agate, jasper, quartz, or beach pebbles, the steadiness of a drill press ensures clean, accurate holes without cracking or chipping the stone. Pair it with diamond-tipped drill bits, and you’ll have everything you need to get started.

Before drilling, choose your stone carefully. Flat, smooth stones with a relatively even thickness are the easiest to work with. Rinse the stone to remove grit and secure it on a small block of wood using modeling clay or a clamp. This keeps it from shifting during the drilling process. Always work with water—either by submerging the stone partially in a shallow dish or by dripping water onto the drilling area. Water cools the drill bit and reduces friction, preventing damage to both the stone and your tools.

Set your drill press to a low speed, align your diamond bit to the mark where you want the hole, and begin drilling with light pressure. Let the bit do the work; forcing it may cause the stone to fracture. Lift the bit every few seconds to allow water to flow into the hole and remove debris. Once you’re through, flip the stone and lightly drill from the opposite side to smooth the exit point. This extra step results in a cleaner, professional-looking finish.

After drilling, sand the edges of the hole if needed and clean the stone thoroughly. Then comes the fun part—turning it into a pendant. Thread a jump ring through the hole, attach it to a chain or leather cord, and enjoy your handmade jewelry. You can also combine multiple stones, add wire-wrapping, or incorporate metal findings for more advanced designs.

Making your own drilled stone pendant is a simple project that introduces key jewelry-making techniques while giving you something beautiful to wear or gift. With a drill press, the right bits, and a little patience, you can turn natural stones into custom pendants that highlight both craftsmanship and creativity. Whether you’re building a jewelry business or crafting for pleasure, this project is a satisfying way to bring your artistic ideas to life.

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