How to Make Rings From Beads & Rocks

Make handmade rings from polished rocks and beads.

Rings constructed with beads and rocks accent your wardrobe with a natural, rustic style. Buy rock and bead rings from a mineral shop or specialty jewelry store, or create your own stone ring using a few basic tools and materials purchased from any hardware or craft supply store. Making your own rings allows you to hand-pick the beads and rocks to create a customized look. Decorative bead and rock rings also make thoughtful handmade gifts for your family members and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Protective eyewear
• Polished rock, 1/4-inch
• Drill press with vise
• Diamond drill bit, 1.5-mm
• Elastic string
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle
• Decorative beads, 1/8-inch

Instructions

1. Put on protective eyewear to prevent dust and debris from getting into your eyes as you work.

2. Place a 1/4 inch wide polished rock into the vise of a drill press, and attach a 1.5-mm diamond drill bit onto the press. Drill a hole through the rock, then remove the rock from the vise.

3. Cut a piece of elastic string to measure 2 inches long. Thread the string through an embroidery needle.

4. Insert two to three 1/8-inch decorative beads onto the needle, then onto the string.

5. Insert the needle into the drilled rock bead, then add two to three 1/8-inch decorative beads.

6. Remove the embroidery needle from the elastic string, then tie the ends of the string together tightly. Trim off any excess string before wearing the bead and rock ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Drill more polished rocks to create a more natural-looking ring that uses more rocks than beads.

• Keep the drill press out of reach of children.

References

• Mamas Minerals: How to Drill Holes in Your Tumbled Stones or Beach Glass