# Bead making and drilling

> How stone beads are made: cutting, rounding, drilling with diamond bits and polishing; shapes, sizes and qualities.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/bead-making-and-drilling/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/fabricacion-y-perforado-de-cuentas/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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A bead is a drilled piece for stringing. Stone ones are cut into spheres, discs, tubes, rondelles and free forms.

![Steps of the technique: Cut, Round, Drill, Final shape, Polish, Sort](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/cuentas-piedra-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## From block to bead

1. The stone is cut into pieces or cubes.
2. The shape is rounded in a drum or on a wheel.
3. It is drilled with a diamond bit, with water to cool.
4. It is polished in a drum with abrasives.

## Shapes

Spheres, rondelles, tubes, ovals, faceted and briolettes (faceted teardrop-shaped).

## Quality

A good bead is round, with a centered, clean hole, and of uniform size among those on a strand.

## Pearls and seeds

Pearls are drilled with a fine bit; [seeds](https://www.711grados.com/en/seeds-and-tagua/) and [wood](https://www.711grados.com/en/wood/) are drilled dry.

## Step by step

1. **Cut.** Cut the stone into cubes.
2. **Round.** In a drum or on a wheel.
3. **Drill.** With a diamond bit and water.
4. **Final shape.** Spheres, rondelles or tubes.
5. **Polish.** In a drum with fine abrasives.
6. **Sort.** Group by size and quality.

## Tools and materials

- Diamond saw
- Drum or wheel
- Diamond drill bits
- Cooling water

## Common mistakes

- Drilling dry: it overheats and splits.
- Off-center holes.
- Mixing sizes on a strand.
- Not washing away residues.

## See also

- [Pearl stringing and knotting](https://www.711grados.com/en/pearl-stringing-and-knotting/)
- [Cabochon cutting](https://www.711grados.com/en/cabochon-cutting/)
- [Lampwork glass beads](https://www.711grados.com/en/lampwork-glass-beads/)