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How to Crack a Geode

Geodes are pockets or bubbles that formed in rock when it was new. These voids were then exposed, over eons, to water containing dissolved minerals that were deposited on the inside of the void as crystals. The rock surrounding the void then eroded to the point where the void itself came loose from the matrix. From the outside, a geode usually looks dull and uninteresting. Crack it open and a beautiful interior may be revealed.

Things You'll Need

Hammer
Small flat-edge cold chisel
Goggles
Large block of wood

Instructions

- 1
  Identify a potential fracture line around the geode. Look for an area on the geode where a natural crack is likely to occur.
- 2
  Place the geode on the wood block so that it sits firmly. Put on your goggles.
- 3
  Place the cold chisel on the surface of the geode in line with the potential fracture line.
- 4
  Tap the cold chisel hard enough to impact the stone firmly, scoring the geode. Do not hit the chisel too hard, or the geode may break apart in many pieces.
- 5
  Work your way around the geode, chipping along the potential fracture line. Continue to work around the geode until it fractures.
- 6
  Insert the chisel into the crack, once it begins to show. Carefully work the crack open until the geode comes apart.

Rock Collecting