How To Break Open A Geode © 2008 The Geode Gallery Roseville, Illinois DISCLAIMER: This Power Point presentation is provided as an educational tool. Any use of this Power Point presentation and included text and pictures by anyone for promotional purposes, reproduction as their own, or other uses is strictly forbidden except with permission from The Geode Gallery.

Tools Required A hammer, flat edged chisel (or large screwdriver), safety goggles, and a base (such as a piece of wood) are needed to open a geode.

Step 1: Begin Scoring The Geode To protect against flying pieces, we recommend you wear safety goggles. Place the flat edge of the chisel on the middle of the geode. It is best to score the geode in the middle so it opens into two equally sized halves. Tap the top of the chisel LIGHTLY with the hammer, anywhere between 6-10 taps at first is recommended. Middle of the geode

Step 2: Continue Scoring the Geode’s Circumference After tapping the chisel 6-10 times in one spot, rotate the geode a quarter of a turn and place the chisel at a new spot but still in the middle of the geode. Tap again at this location 6-10 times and repeat. Once you have done this 4-5 times, you will have produced a “score line” around the circumference of the geode (likely where the geode will open).

“Score Line” The “Score Line” is indicated by the white areas on the middle of the geode (arrows point to this line). Note the location of the “score line” in the middle of the geode.

Step 3: Continue Tapping on the “Score Line” Until a crack starts to develop, continue to tap the geode on the score line, occasionally rotating the geode around so all of the pressure is not focused in one location. Eventually, you will see a crack develop on the score line.

A Crack Develops! Success! In time, a crack will develop hopefully right on the “score line” (note thin, dark line indicated by the arrows).

Step 4: Follow the Crack Once a crack develops, continue to tap the geode at locations on the “score line” where the crack has not yet started. DO NOT hit the geode hard during this stage – let the crack work its way around the geode.

The Crack is Complete! Once a crack is developed around the entire geode’s circumference, the geode should be ready to open.

Step 5: Open The Geode! Place a hand on each side of the geode and open it. If you see a crack all the way around the geode but it does not want to open, place the chisel carefully in the crack, and attempt to pry the geode apart.

Step 6: Marvel at the Beauty! Once opened, you are the first person to see the interior that is millions of years old! This particular geode is a Keokuk geode containing a quartz lining with orange iron coloring in the left half. Note that the geode is in two nearly equal halves, maximizing display.

Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take to open a geode using a hammer and a chisel? How long does it take to open a geode using a hammer and a chisel? The answer depends on how hollow the geode is. The more hollow the geode, the quicker it will open. For example, the geode in this presentation took approximately 3 minutes to open from start to finish.The answer depends on how hollow the geode is. The more hollow the geode, the quicker it will open. For example, the geode in this presentation took approximately 3 minutes to open from start to finish. Will the geode always open on the “score line”? Will the geode always open on the “score line”? The majority of the time, the answer is yes. However, if the chisel is struck too hard and/or there is a crack in the geode that was not visible before you started, it may not always follow the “score line”. The key is to have patience if geode opening is a new experience for you.The majority of the time, the answer is yes. However, if the chisel is struck too hard and/or there is a crack in the geode that was not visible before you started, it may not always follow the “score line”. The key is to have patience if geode opening is a new experience for you. I have followed the “score line” around the geode and it will still not open. Why not? I have followed the “score line” around the geode and it will still not open. Why not? The geode is most likely solid or nearly solid (filled in entirely with quartz, calcite, or another mineral). If the geode feels heavy, this is another indicator of a solid geode. If you still want to see the interior, hit the chisel harder until the geode opens.The geode is most likely solid or nearly solid (filled in entirely with quartz, calcite, or another mineral). If the geode feels heavy, this is another indicator of a solid geode. If you still want to see the interior, hit the chisel harder until the geode opens.