FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[JBTXK]

I looked all over for information on drilling quartz, and most of what I found was either highly technical (like how to get extremely close tolerances) or only about granite...

I have a piece of quartz (rose quartz?) that I want to turn into a lamp of sorts. I want to drill a hole in one end about 1.5-2" deep and 1" in diameter (just big enough for a nightlight bulb to fit in).

What's the best way to do that without shattering the whole piece? It's not a solid crystal but I'm not sure how much that effects it's strength. Will a carbide glass bit work, or do I need a diamond tipped bit?

[marvsT/Nminerals]

Either a carbide or diamond tipped drill bit will work, IF it is cooled with water. However, a one inch hole in that size stone would weaken it considerably. Why not a smaller hole with a LED in it? It won't heat up the way an incandescent light would which might fracture an already weakened stone otherwise. Good luck! Marv

[nurbo]

Also remember to drill a small guide hole first, maybe 1/8" then 1/4" then in 1/4" iterations till you reach the required size. If you go straight at it with a 1" drill you might well finish up with either a handfull of Quartz shards or a busted drill bit, or probably both.
good luck
db

[vic rzonca]

A 1' dia. hole would best be cut with a water cooled diamond core bit. In that way you are not trying to remove all the waste rock. You cut the core and break the out the plug. I would mention that many dealers have rose quartz cobbles that are already drilled for votive candles. That takes away the DIY part of the project of course.

[JBTXK]

Thanks for the ideas! I don't know why I didn't think of using an LED... that would be a lot easier.

If I do go for the bigger hole, though, I was thinking about using a core bit but wasn't sure how to break the core out without damaging the rest of the rock... you think it would be pretty easy?