I am trying to find some information on how to safely crack geodes
open while still maintaining the aesthetic qualities of the two halves
(ie, don't smash into millions of pieces :) ). I got my father some
uncracked geodes for Christmas and would like to enclose information
on how to crack them with the present and/or any special tool(s) that
might be needed.

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 09 Dec 2005 10:47 PST

Howdy laundrygal-ga,

Would the following answer your question?  Thanks!

"How To Break Open A Geode!"
http://www.geodegallery.com/breakinggeodes.html

"Opening Geodes"
http://alicatsrocks.com/

"CRACKING GEODES OPEN (Without destroying them!)"
http://www.greatsouth.net/CRACKINGGEODES.html

"Opening and cleaning geodes"
http://www.mineralgallery.co.za/novnewsletter2001.htm

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by laundrygal-ga on 09 Dec 2005 11:28 PST

Those are super helpful, thank you! Plenty of options and we will be
able to figure out how to get it open. :)

Appreciate you accepting this as the answer, laundrygal-ga,

Here are several references which have several methods, ranging from using
a hammer and a sock, all the way to using a diamond saw, in order to open
up those unopened geodes you bouaght for your father.

By the way, great gift to buy for him!  Until he opens them, he will have
no idea of what is inside, which can provide a wide range of results.

"How To Break Open A Geode!" from the Geode Gallery website.
http://www.geodegallery.com/breakinggeodes.html

"Place the geode in a sock and hit very lightly with a hammer."

"Opening Geodes" on the AlicatsRocks website.
http://alicatsrocks.com/

"Check your geode for any hairline cracks. If you find one, take a flat
tipped screwdriver or a small chisel (depending on the size of the geode)
and carefully insert it into the crack."

"CRACKING GEODES OPEN (Without destroying them!)" from the Great South Gems
and Minerals, Inc. website.
http://www.greatsouth.net/CRACKINGGEODES.html

"Another method of opening geodes that works well, (The method I use most
often.) is to crack the geode open with an old fashioned cast iron plumbing
pipe cutter."

"Opening and cleaning geodes" from within the KMF Rocks Newsletter.
http://www.mineralgallery.co.za/novnewsletter2001.htm

"The third and most used method is to lay the geode in a soft (earth)
depression. Look the geode over for any cracks or weak spots. These should be
found and force applied there. When you have decided where you will apply
pressure, use a medium weight hammer and center punch. (Never use steel
chisel). Put the punch in a spot most likely to keep if from sliding off, and
hit it several times; easy at first, then harder. If three or four blows do
not open the geode, repeat in other spots until a crack does appear. Then use
a screwdriver to pry apart."

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Google search on: opening geodes
://www.google.com/search?q=opening+geodes

Also, I have had some experience with opening geodes.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

Helpful answer that provided me with a few variations to get them open!

I know that you can saw them in half.

My pleasure and much thanks for kind comment, 5 star rating and nice
tip, laundrygal-ga.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher