Crack Geode
How To Break Open A Geode. Continue this process until you see a crack develop in the geode, and then follow the crack around the geode until it opens.
Встроенное видео Video Geodes - How to Crack open a Geode with an industrial soil Pipe Cutter. In this video we break open a 6 inch Geode using a popular chain cracking.
How To Break Open A
Geode.
There are several ways to break open
geodes. The most popular way hammer/chisel method is described below.
First, we do want to stress that Keokuk area geodes especially should not be sawed open, as this process always destroys
interior minerals such as calcites or selenite blades if the minerals are along
the path of the saw blade and the shells do not look as nice as the agate skins
to the Mexican geodes. Cracking the geode may avoid these crystals as well
as giving the shell of the geode a more natural look. Mexican coconut
geodes, however, can be sawed open but you still run the risk of damaging
interior minerals. Many of these geodes, however, do look very attractive
polished.
Below I will describe the most popular method to
opening geodes besides sawing them. There are many different ways to
open a geode, but no matter how you do it, the key is PATIENCE, PATIENCE,
PATIENCE. If you want the geode to break into two halves, you absolutely
CANNOT just hit it as hard as you want to with a hammer. If it is hollow,
you will be left with pieces in most cases, not two halves.
HAMMER/CHISEL METHOD: This is the most
popular way to open a geode since most people have a hammer and chisel available
around the house or in a toolbox versus some of the more specialized methods
that mainly rock collectors have that are listed below. To open a geode
with a hammer and chisel, score the geode all the way around the circumference
of the geode with the chisel. We suggest using a flat-faced regular
chisel end versus the pointed type, since the force from a pointed chisel will
be directed over one spot versus over a larger area with the flat-faced chisel
better chances of opening along the line you want it to open on..
Continue this process until you see a crack develop in the geode, and then
follow the crack around the geode until it opens. If the geode is hollow,
and you know it is hollow, you must be very careful to not strike the chisel too
hard with the hammer. Start lightly at first and then strike harder but
not too hard if a crack is not developing. To see how to open a geode,
either view the provided videos or powerpoint presentations below.
Watch a video illustrating the hammer/chisel method to
open a large 5 inch Keokuk geode Windows Media Player File, 4.8 MB size high
speed users. Windows Media Players should be available for
all Microsoft Windows users. If you have problems viewing the video,
please contact us if you have Windows Media Player available for use. We
plan to add a RealPlayer video soon as well.
Watch a video
illustrating the hammer/chisel method to open a small 2 inch Mexican coconut geode
Windows Media Player File, 4.6MB size high speed users. Windows Media
Players should be available for all Microsoft Windows users. If you have
problems viewing the video, please contact us if you have Windows Media Player
available for use. We plan to add a RealPlayer video soon as well.
Watch a PowerPoint illustrating the hammer/chisel
method to open a 5 inch diameter Keokuk geode Microsoft PowerPoint file, 480KB
lower speed users. Most Microsoft Office programs have PowerPoint
included.
Videos and PowerPoint presentations are
Copyright 2008, The Geode Gallery. These resources are provided strictly
as an educational tools and are not available for distribution without the
expressed written consent of The Geode Gallery. Anyone who uses these
resources for their own promotional purposes, alters the content, or
any other use not for educational purposes is strictly forbidden and will be subject to
appropriate copyright laws.
SOCK METHOD: This is the most popular
method for smaller geodes that young children break open themselves. Place the geode in a
sock and hit very lightly with a hammer. This method is mainly used in
groups with kids to protect pieces from flying and potentially hitting someone.
Since you are focusing the pressure on the geode in one spot, your chances of
having the geode opening in two are not as great compared to the hammer/chisel
method, but it is still possible. We strongly suggest this method when
having children open the geode themselves for everyone s safety children have a
tendency to swing the hammer as hard as they possibly can.. The
hammer/chisel method can be used on all sizes of geodes, so if you desire a
geode that is opened into two halves, we suggest using the hammer/chisel method
versus the sock method. It may take a little more time but the end result
will be worth it.
PIPE CUTTER METHOD: Opening geodes with a
soil pipe cutter is a more specialized method, and these tools are usually only
found among the more advanced or serious collectors who have a large quantity of
geodes to open. Pipe cutters have a chain that contains
sharpened carbide-tipped roller blades that is wrapped around the geode and
tightened. Unless the geode already has a crack in it visible or not, the
success rate for opening a geode into two nearly equal halves is very high with
a pipe cutter and the process is very quick. Pipe cutters, however, are not
usually cheap, and that is why they aren t used or available on a widespread
basis. The sizes vary, but the most popular type is the soil pipe cutter
that contains two arms with equal lengths and a jaw with the chain attached.
Popular manufacturers are Ridgid, Reed, and Wheeler/Rex, and they can be
purchased through most plumbing suppliers these companies do not necessarily
sell direct, you have to go through a distributor. The average price for
a new pipe cutter of this variety is anywhere from 300- 600 depending on how
long of a chain you want the longer the chain the more expensive as most of the
cost of the pipe cutter is actually in the chain. Some tool rental places
also have these available for rent, contact rental businesses in your area for
availability if you are opening a large quantity of geodes to justify the cost.
In areas where geodes are abundant such as the Keokuk, Iowa
area, many rockhounds have their own specialized tools for opening geodes.
If you are in such an area, we encourage you to contact your local rock and
mineral club for more details. Most clubs are more than happy to
accomodate you and answer your questions. Virtually any tool that has
carbide tipped blades and is designed to cut concrete or rock will also open
geodes but make sure the blades are carbide tipped. We have been told that
tile wet saws, concrete saws, and other related tools open geodes efficiently as
well. SAFETY FIRST. Make sure you know how to operate these tools
safely before using them.
I hope this has helped you in opening
your geodes. To purchase un-opened geodes, please proceed to the links
provided below.
Small 2 Inch and Under Un-opened
Guaranteed Hollow Mexican Geodes Available for Purchase
Here
Larger 3 - 12 Inch Un-Opened
Guaranteed Hollow Keokuk Geodes Available for Purchase Here
Return To The Geode Gallery Homepage.
Where else in the world can guests choose an ancient Geode, crack it into two neat halves and be the first person ever to see the thousands of glittering crystals.
Keokuk Geodes, Geodes for Sale, Unopened Geodes, crack your own geodes, opened geodes, display geodes, Iowa s State Rock, geode cracking, geode collecting tools.
Where else in the world can guests choose an ancient Geode, crack it into two neat halves and be the first person ever to see the thousands of glittering crystals inside.Welcome to Crack a Geode, exclusive to The Crystal Caves.One of the most unique activities in the Fascinating Facets Gift Shop, Crack a Geode is something that appeals to people of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. Understanding that no one has ever seen the beauty that lies hidden within these geodes, created by nature millions of years ago is a thrill indeed. Guests choosing to Crack a Geode take home the two neat halves as truly unique souvenirs together with a collection of information about Geodes generally, and the crystals that lie within their very own Geode.Visitors are guaranteed that the Geode they choose will be hollow, and have crystals inside so they really can t lose.
Cracking open a geode is much easier than you may believe. It can be hard work to go out and find geodes, but it s a lot of fun too. See my guide on How to find.
How To Break Open A Geode! The Geode Gallery
