The present invention is directed to the formation of a chip breaker in a polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride compact. An oversized compact blank having a surface and edges that establish it as oversized is provided. A chip breaker pattern is formed on the compact blank surface. Preferred means for forming the chip breaker pattern include use of a laser, a plunge EDM apparatus, or by ultrasonic abrading. Thereafter, the edges of the patterned oversized compact blank are finished to reduce the size of the blank. When plunge EDM apparatus fitted with a patterned plunger is used, the compact blank must be electrically conductive.