Drill Hole Dilemmas

Kim Hatzold's strategies for avoiding and fixing beads with problem drill holes

The attached article, Drill Hole Dilemmas, is an excerpt from Kim Hatzold’s online lesson, “Selecting Head Pins: The Search for a Few Dependable Styles."

In the article Kim discusses the key drill hole problems you can encounter when working with wire, pearls, and gemstones; strategies for avoiding beads with problem drill holes; and tools for reaming.

Kim is a Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jewelry Professional (GIA).

She has been teaching jewelry classes since 1995—specializing in jewelry design essentials, beginning-to-advanced wirework and stringing techniques, handcrafted chains, as well as pearl and colored stone fundamentals. Kim’s jewelry lines have been carried in Mariposa Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, as well as retail stores in Southern California.

In 2006, Kim took a sabbatical from teaching to focus her attention on developing her website—offering online tutorials, design tips, and inspiration for jewelry students. When she’s not busy writing new lessons and articles for the website, Kim designs jewelry pieces for private clients.

Check out her web site Untamed Spirit Studios.

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ALICE WHITFIELD from OHIO said:

I've found the more expensive the beads, the more likely I am to find drill hole problems. I did some research and read this is partly because this product is sold by weight, and the bigger the drill hole, the more money is lost. This isn't always the case, of course, but I've encountered this problem often enough to believe it is a valid factor.

Submitted: 8/14/2010 2:22:52 AM (CST)

PATRICIA TODD from GEORGIA said:

Helpful advice on bead holes that are too small!

Submitted: 7/16/2010 7:34:34 AM (CST)