Drilling Natural Pearls By Hand?

[MSC]

Does anyone here have experience with drilling natural pearls by hand? What tools are necessary to do so and are there any tip/tricks to being successful in hand drilling? Or does anyone know of someone who will drill natural pearls for a fee? How expensive is a service like that?
Any info would be great!

 

[mausketeer]

......interested to see replies as I was going to ask the same for some keshi's I have (although I don't dare do them myself you brave thing!). What kind of pearls? (if I may ask.....)

Jodie

 

[MSC]

I have a cache of mississippi river pearls, all different sizes, but I think I'd try my hand at some cheap chinese fwp first or I may end up loathing myself! all the talk of necklace making as me wanting to necklace make

 

[pearlescence]

It can be done by hand, but it is very difficult to get the drill hole going straight and coming out the other end - and if you drill just from one end you are likely to chip or damage the drill exit hole. You would do better to make contact with someone with a proper drill.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Kari has an interesting page where tiny pearls are hand drilled with simple tools.

http://www.karipearls.com/drilling-pearls.html

 

[mausketeer]

Kari has an interesting page where tiny pearls are hand drilled with simple tools.

http://www.karipearls.com/drilling-pearls.html

It's amazing the accuracy they can achieve with those tools!