How To Cut Gemstones With A Dremel?
Dremel tools are one of the largest rotary tools on the market, and they can cut and shape a wide variety of materials from wood to hard gems.
In fact, these tools are the most commonly used tools for cutting gemstones, due to their consistent production quality and minimal maintenance costs.
Before we move on to our primary topic of how to cut gems with a Dremel, there are a few things you should know.
Using the Dremel tool is fairly simple but requires expertise. Once you have gathered all the necessary items you are ready to start.
Before you begin, make sure you have the following safety items on hand – goggles, a pair of gloves and a protective air mask.
Step-by-Step to Cut Gemstones with a Dremel:
Follow the steps below to get started with cutting your gems:
Get the Dremel Tool Ready
First and foremost, insert the drill bits into the Dremel tool, whether they are wheel points or diamond points.
But first, check to see if the Dremel is connected, and turn off the power if it is on.
Hold the Dremel up so you can see the hole in the bottom and fix the drill bits.
After that put the diamond bit in that place and move it back a bit but firmly. Make sure it is not moving and hold it securely in place with the collet nut.
Take your Gemstones:
Before being cut, the gemstone is usually sculpted or molded into a rough shape. This guarantees that the end result is perfectly symmetrical and attractive to the eye.
Basically, all inclusions such as cracks and colored spots are detected and eliminated during the cutting process.
Form the stones into a basic shape using a 260 grit lapidary facing lap. Set the lap to its fastest speed and press your stones hard against the rotating disc to achieve the desired shape.
In particular, this will cause a lot of friction, which will cause your gems to get quite hot. Add some water to cool the facing lap.
Heat the dope stick and wax, then connect the dope stick to the stone you’re working with to make the cutting process easier and more flawless.
The connection between the three elements (wax, stick and gemstone) will intensify as the gemstone heats up. Allowing a gem to dope for too long can cause it to break or become damaged.
Once the bonding of the dope stick and wax is finished, remove the gem and place it on the diamond facing lap.
Cutting the Stone:
After the above two steps, it’s time for the actual process. After turning on the Dremel, set it to medium speed, hold yourself at a 45-degree angle, and begin cutting the gemstone with a straight and solid cut. Again, it’s best to start slow and gradually increase it until you get a flat surface.
You may need to remove the facets of the primary crown after getting the flatbed. As you cut them, adjust the angle of the Dremel to get an almost perfect cut.
You can be difficult to match the aspects of the crown properly, but the polishing phase will allow you to improve it.
After you finish cutting, close the Dremel and remove Diamond Bit because it will not be required in the next step.
To loosen the bit for simple and safe removal, spin the Colet Nut while pressing the shaft lock button at the same time.
Polishing Stage:
After removing the diamond bit, turn on the Dremel with the lowest grit. Grind the entire surface of the gemstone with a grit tip, paying special attention to rough edges. For best results, hold the tool at a flat angle to the gemstone.
Using the finer pieces, grind the gem gently but firmly. The facades of the crown, as well as the table, will shine with time.
Use a towel to get a better glow on the face. After polishing the facets, the cutters usually go to the waist, applying 8k diamond powder paste.
But first, use the dremel to cut through the pavilion, being careful not to damage the facets. When the mandap is properly cut, all the facets will fit together properly, allowing you to polish the entire gem and waist.
In addition to the 8k diamond solution, an oxidized solution can also be used. Regardless of the liquid you use, your jewelry will continue to shine as long as you initially cut the pavilion, as well as any other blemishes that were left during the primary cutting.
The Bottom Line
Before you start cutting a gemstone with a Dremel, make sure that the particular gemstone has a Mohs hardness of 8 or higher.
This is because soft gemstones with Mohs hardness of 7 or less are more likely to be damaged during cutting.
On the other hand, to get a precise cut on your diamond, pay attention to details and work on one thing at a time.
Lastly, take care not to injure yourself while using heavy machinery. If you follow the steps in this article on how to cut gems with a Dremel, you’ll be able to get started quickly.