How to drill ceramic tiles and why masonry drill bits won't work

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BEFORE YOU START

Make sure to observe strict safety and hygiene measures when operating power tools
This intervention generates little dust but requires eye protection

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Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

Which drill bit to use for ceramic tiles

A standard masonry walls or concrete drill bit won't go far into ceramic tiles.
These are made of a harder material and the drill bit will end up overheating and turning into cherry red while being irreversably damaged . There are a couple of types of drill bits that can make it into ceramic tiles, one being shaped like an arrow and the other one being a simple stainless steel cylinder with a diamond coating on its end.
We're showing here how to use the diamond drill bit on ceramic tiles.

Unless the diamond drill bit you purchased is self-centering, start by using a normal masonry wall drill bit to mark the hole location. This won't damage your drill bit since you just need to create a cone shaped surface hole, so the ceramic bit later centers itself when piercing the tiles.
Use a concrete drill bit that's one size larger than the diamond one, i.e. if you're using a 6mm ceramic drill bit, use an 8mm concrete drill bit.

Pour water on the hole, enough to flood it completely with its surroundings, this is used to cool the diamond drill bit.

Fit the ceramic tiles drill bit to your power drill, and continue drilling until piercing the full thickness of the ceramic tiles. Continue to drill below the tiles with the standard concrete drill bit.
Important note: do not put your drill on the hammer position when using the diamond coated drill bit, you just need a smooth rotation at low speed.

This picture shows the damage that results to the diamond drill bit in case no water is used to cool it: