Pearl Solitaire

[Little Mermaid]

I just got a loose golden south sea pearl and I wanted to turn it to something like this

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-48692346119586_1942_207635.JPG

I wen't to the dealer were I got the pearl and I ask him if he could put a larger hole on my pearl so that I could have my snake chain fit right thru it. And he told me that he does not have a big drill that could do the job.

Is it possible to use an ordinary drill bit? or do I need a special kind of ? If I need a special one, what type :confused: and were can I get one ?

Any help will be greatly appreciated :p

By the way I'm from the Philippines ;)

[lucyryalls]

Hi Little Mermaid

Are you in Manila? If so, have you asked the dealers at greenhills? Im sure someone there would be able to help.

Lucy

[Little Mermaid]

Hi Little Mermaid

Are you in Manila? If so, have you asked the dealers at greenhills? Im sure someone there would be able to help.

Lucy


Yes I did, but they don't have big drill bits :( I don't know of any source in Manila to get it from :confused:

[purepearls]

Make sure whomever is doing the pearl drilling is familiar with drilling pearls because it can definitely break!

[Little Mermaid]

Make sure whomever is doing the pearl drilling is familiar with drilling pearls because it can definitely break!

They have a pearl drill similar to this machine

http://www.ajstools.com/products/jewelry/images/drill5.jpg

but the only problem is they don't have bigger drill bits. They told me they could do the holes, but I have to provide them with bigger drill bits. Approximately 2mm. Do any of you guys here know were I could buy drill bits that are used for pearls :confused: or maybe will an ordinary drill bit similar to this

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/NWS/How_to_do_stuff/hand_tools/twist_drill_bits.jpg

will do the job :confused:

[mikehrz]

You definitely want the pearl drilled by someone who is experienced and who has the proper equipment. Pearls are fragile and the drilling process is traumatic (creates stresses and heat buildup within the pearl).

[Little Mermaid]

You definitely want the pearl drilled by someone who is experienced and who has the proper equipment. Pearls are fragile and the drilling process is traumatic (creates stresses and heat buildup within the pearl).

The person who is going to drill the hole defenitely has the experience. It' just that he does not have bigger drill bit's :(

[jshepherd]

I suggest simply having your guy drill the hole where you want the chain to enter, using the largest available bit. You will need a larger hole, but any jeweler with a drill should then be able to widen the hole for you with a hand held. The difficulty is getting a straight hole, but if it is simply a matter of widening the hole, it should not be difficult. This is how we make a very similar piece.
http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=123

[Little Mermaid]

Hi Jshepherd, I just got a 2.5mm diamond drill bit today.I know you are expert on pearls :p if we do a 2.5 mm hole on a SS pearl. Do you suppose it would be best to start from the smallest drill bit going to the biggest? or we use the biggest ( 2.5mm) right away :confused:

I'm scared that jeweler might damage my pearls, because he have'nt done a bigger hole yet. I have a gold, black, and white pearl that I wanted to turn into a solitaire neclace.

Big thanks for your help :p

[jshepherd]

For that large of a drill bit, you should start small and work your way up. Just make sure not to overheat the pearl. Also, it would be good if he can switch bits without removing the pearl from the vise.
The bit does seem a bit large, however. If you are using a standard 22 gauge chain, you do not need to go much over a single mm.
If it is your jeweler's first time, tell him to start with the gold or the white, not the black. He will have a better chance of damaging the black if he is not experienced in drilling.

[Little Mermaid]

For that large of a drill bit, you should start small and work your way up. Just make sure not to overheat the pearl. Also, it would be good if he can switch bits without removing the pearl from the vise.
The bit does seem a bit large, however. If you are using a standard 22 gauge chain, you do not need to go much over a single mm.
If it is your jeweler's first time, tell him to start with the gold or the white, not the black. He will have a better chance of damaging the black if he is not experienced in drilling.


I was told that It should be drilled from bought sides of the pearl instead of drilling it from one side. Is that correct?....The black pearl I have will be for my husband. I plan to put a leather cord on that :)

[jshepherd]

Absolutely. That is imperative. A pearl drill will either come from both sides or have a mechanism allowing the pearl to rotate 180 degrees.

[Giselle]

Does anybody know what kind of "glue" they use to stick pearls onto the stud of an earring? I've had one of mine come off and thankfully I had noticed when it dropped off and was able to retrieve it from the floor of my bedroom! The pearl stuck to the stud again, but I have not worn it since in fear of properly losing it the next time.

Appreciate anybody's advice. Cheers

[knotty panda]

Don't wear it until it's properly repaired. Return it to the seller. Some, based on certain variables will repair it free. Others are so confident of their glue, the offer free replacement pearls should the glue fail. Other than that, use the normal care guidelines.

[Giselle]

Thing is, they were also given to me, as a set with a ring and pendant. The ring I have been able to use all the time with no problems or threat (not at all I hope) of falling off. It is only one of the earrings that have fallen off. Would a jewelry store be able to help, do you think?

[jerin]

Hi Giselle,

if you can find a jeweller dealing in pearls, he might be able to help you. I have done a lot of studs and I use Vigor Super Glue (you could order it from Firemountain.com), it bonds within seconds, you should be careful not to get it on your fingers or the pearl, as it sets so fast. Look up the "Lowly Beaders Club" thread, there I wrote a post on doing studs. you´ll find it easily. I received excellent advice from other members.
Good luck!

[Giselle]

That's lovely, thanks.

I suppose I shall have a more experienced jeweller fix this. Thanks once again :)

[Sueki]

Hello Giselle,
I see you're in Scotland. Take the earring to one of the smaller, independent jewellers, not one of the high street chains.
The smaller jewellers tend to be family run, and very experienced in jewellery repairs.

[Giselle]

Hi Sueki, are you talking about Ernest Jones and the like? I have been scouting around for some - I live in Edinburgh; would you know of any good family-run jewellers here? You can send me a PM if you like.

Cheers

[Sueki]

Hi Giselle,
By high street chains I was thinking of Samuels and the like.
Here in north London, Ernest Jones are actually pretty good.
But I've not taken repairs to them for years now.
The smaller independent jewellers won't be in Princes Street, but more likely in the Edinburgh suburbs.
Will do a bit of research and p.m you if I have any luck. There used to be a great jeweller I used to send pieces to, but I can't for the life of me find his address.