For the sake of convenience, the stones or beads to be drilled are first set in rows on a stone slab by means of a hard wax. When drilled, these stones are knocked out of the wax with a hammer. The top of the drill is fixed in one of three holes previously drilled in an agate slab, which is held by a wooden arm. Around the arm, passes the string of the bow, about 18 inches in length. The bow is worked forwards and backwards in a horizontal direction with the right hand, the wooden arm holding the drill passing under the left arm so that pressure on the drill may be controlled. Before commencing the drilling, the surface of each stone must first be slightly roughed off or drilled in the correct position with a larger hand drill. In this drill, the diamonds would naturally be set farther apart in order to make a larger hole.
If a bead be examined, it will be seen that the bored hole will be slightly larger at the surface. While working, a fine oil is constantly applied with the forefinger to the drill so that it will not bind or get too hot. The drill must be worked straight and true, and the hole is carried straight through the material unless it is thick, when it must be worked from both sides so that it will meet and make one straight line. If the drill holes do not meet exactly, they will leave a sharp edge within the bead, and this will cause cutting and fraying of any stringing material when the beads are eventually graduated and strung as necklaces. Moreover, the beads will not hang true, an irregularity that will be quickly noticed. The work is tiring and monotonous, and if care is not exercised, the drill will be broken in the material.