Drilled Gemstones, Briolettes and Beads
What are drilled gemstones?
Drilled gemstones are any gemstones that have had a hole drilled either all the way through or half way through in order to make jewelry items such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants.
There are a number of different styles:
- Centre-drilled - The gemstone has been drilled all the way through the centre
- Head-drilled - The gemstone has been drilled horizontally through the top so the gemstone will hang below the thread
- Half-drilled - The gemstone has been drilled to the centre of the gemstone allowing a peg to be inserted, usually for earrings
- Top-drilled - Similar to half-drilled but the gemstone has been drilled only a quarter of the way through
Drilled gemstones can include beads, briolettes and fancy gemstones in a variety of gem types, sizes and shapes in both faceted and cabochon cuts.
What type of drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads are available?
We have a huge range of different gemstones to choose from. From clear quartzes such as amethyst, ametrine and smoky quartz to opaque gemstones like jadeite, tiger's eye and rhodochrosite, from cheap and cheerful carnelian and citrine to illustrious top grade sapphire, topaz and tourmaline - we have them all.
What color drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads are available?
Our drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads can be found in just about every color imaginable.
Typical color combinations include:
- Blue - Sapphire and Topaz
- Orange - Citrine and Spessartite Garnet
- Violet - Amethyst
- Green - Emerald, Jadeite and Tourmaline
And a whole lot more besides.
Read more about gemstones colors here
What shapes are available in drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads?
Apart from the common teardrop-like shape of the briolettes and the spherical beads, our drilled gemstones can be found in all sorts of shapes including the very popular pears, hearts and squares. Drilled gemstones are also available in unique fancy shapes or carved animals and flowers.
What sizes are available in drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads?
Drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads come in a range of sizes - large singles suitable for eye-catching pendants down to tiny lots which are ideal for delicate bracelets and necklaces.
In between is an array of sizes to suit all designs and budgets.
What jewelry are drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads suitable for?
Drilled gemstones are perfect for a variety of jewelry designs including necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets.
The variety of sizes, colors and shapes as well as the different types of drilling means that our gemstones can satisfy all your jewelry needs.
Here are just a few examples of a jewelry design and the perfect drilled gemstones:
- Elegant Earrings - A pair of half-drilled matching 2.6 carat sky blue topaz
- Bold pendant with wire wrapped bail - drilled 4 carat Spessartite Garnet briolette.
- Tribal look multi stone necklace - 12mm drilled Tiger's Eye sphere lots
The only limits are your imagination and our huge selection of drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads are ideal for homemade jewelry projects or for professionally created designs.
Each gem type has its own hardness rating with diamonds at the top with a perfect 10 and any gemstone with a rating of around 7 and above considered durable enough for all jewelry items.
Pendants, earrings and necklaces are relatively safe from the knocks and bumps that a ring may receive but it may be worth checking your gemstone's hardness rating here.
Drilled gemstones, briolettes and beads and the Chakras
The Chakras are energy points located around the body which have an influence on our physical and emotional well being. Certain gemstones are linked to these Chakra point, usually by color.
Classic jewelry items made from drilled gemstones and beads include necklaces and pendants. These items of jewelry are worn close to two Chakra points - the Throat Chakra and the Heart Chakra - so choosing gemstones of the appropriate color can keep the Chakra energy flowing.
- Throat Chakra - Blue Color - Sapphires, Topaz, Aquamarine
- Heart Chakra - Green Color - Tourmaline, Jadeite, Emerald, Peridot
Earrings will also be worn in a position to affect the Throat Chakra, while navel jewelry or waist chains can influence the Sacral Chakra.
Read more about Chakra gemstones here
