What drill do I need to drill holes in gemstones?

[AshleyRose]

I have tried using my Dremel tool but it would take literally all day to get one hole.
I am on an extremely low budget and need a tool that could drill holes in gemstones and metal such as Sterling silver.

Thanks:)

[Rusted]

Drilling holes in metal is easy, you can get drill bits that fit in dremels.

Drilling holes in stones is a different matter, diamond drills are the go here and good ones aren't cheap and don't last long and as you say take ages.
You really need something to hold your stone so it doesn't move and your dremel needs to be held accurately as well, the stone needs to be underwater or have a constant water supply on to the tip, the drill needs to be removed from the hole evry few second to allow the cut sludge to wash out and very importantl don't apply very much pressure or you will destroy the drill bit. Drill from both sides of the stone if possible to stop the last bit of stone chipping out and leaving a nasty crater on your stone, even better is to drill the hole first, but if you need to change the shape of your stone because of a crack or blemish this can be a pain.

[Mouse]

Drilling holes in metal is easy, you can get drill bits that fit in dremels.

Drilling holes in stones is a different matter, diamond drills are the go here and good ones aren't cheap and don't last long and as you say take ages.
You really need something to hold your stone so it doesn't move and your dremel needs to be held accurately as well, the stone needs to be underwater or have a constant water supply on to the tip, the drill needs to be removed from the hole evry few second to allow the cut sludge to wash out and very importantl don't apply very much pressure or you will destroy the drill bit. Drill from both sides of the stone if possible to stop the last bit of stone chipping out and leaving a nasty crater on your stone, even better is to drill the hole first, but if you need to change the shape of your stone because of a crack or blemish this can be a pain.

Further to above, drill from the back so if you do chip it the damage will hopefully come out in the cabbing process.
Regards
Mouse

[FlashGP]

A little submursable water pump like those in small desktop water features from the junk shop is good for running water over your stone.  Put it in a paint roller tray and rig up a bit of wire to hold the tube above your stone.

[Jimnyjerry]

A UV drip bag works well also.

A blue tack dam on the stone and around the drill hole works as well.