There isn't anything more exciting than breaking open your own geode, and being the first person to ever see those crystals hidden inside. Here's a few tips and tricks on how to crack open a geode at home. So let's get into it!
What is a Geode?
Let's start with what a geode actually is. Geodes are hollow rocks with a hard outer shell which helps protect the crystals growing inside as their environment changes. The mineral deposits on the outside of the geode then flow through their outer shell. Over thousands of years with temperature changes, the right minerals and chemistry involved, the crystals start to grow in the once completely hollow rock. Although all of mine contain Clear Quartz, you can find natural geodes, with Amethyst, Celestite or even Pyrite.
Why I Love Crack Your Own Geodes
It goes without saying, I love crack your own geodes, and it's not just because they're so fun. I have more than a few quartz clusters and caves on display, and they really are beautiful. But other than that, here are some of the things clear quartz is good for:
- energy amplifying
- regulates energies
- absorbs any negative energies in the environment
- balancing
- revitalising
- powerful cleansing abilities
- healing
- concentration
- helps you find your purpose
How to tell if your geode is hollow before you crack it
At the end of the day, it's not an exact science, you never really know what you're gonna get. But, you're the first person to see inside the geode you crack. I always like going for the biggest one that I can, but I also like to make sure it's round and has a wide base for hammering. The lighter it is, the higher the likelihood of a more hollow geode with a bigger cave inside it, but less crystal quartz. You can try this with a shake test, you can hear crystals moving inside the geode, bouncing around, if it's hollow. On the other side of things, you can, very rarely, get a solid geode. They're kind of hard to crack, my dad and I have taken a sledgehammer to one. We ended up putting it on a piece of concrete and did our best golf impression. But unfortunately, it's one of those things that could happen, as most of us don't have an X-ray machine. But if I ever give you a solid geode, give me a shout and you can get a new one for free.
Health & Safety
While there's a couple different things you can do to crack open a geode, whichever way you do it, it's important to stay safe and be careful. Please make sure you (and anyone else with you) is wearing eye protection. It's also a good idea to wear protective gloves if you're using a hammer, and children should have an adult help them out. There are some methods you can use to help your geode only crack into two halves, but I will add that you can't always guarantee how it will crack or how many pieces it might crack into. I've had time where they've split into lots of parts, which you can also find pictures of on my website.
The Tea Towel and Hammer (and Chisel) Method
So how do you get into them? The main way I suggest is covering the geode in a tea towel (not one you like) and hitting the geode with a hammer around the middle. It does require a little of bit of force to do it, but covering it in a tea towel prevents any chips or dust from the geode getting everywhere. Or the geode from damaging the surface you're breaking it on. I would try to crack it in the middle where the geode is the fattest. If you want a more precise split you can use a flathead screwdriver as chisel for the hammer as you hit around the middle. Doing it this way, your geode is more likely to end up in two parts with a hollow cave formation.
The Sock on the Ground Method
If you wanted a more chaotic method, you can put your geode in a sock you'll never need back and hit it on the ground outside. The sock method is less crack more smash, but it is great for less clean ups after, and no precise force with the hammer and chisel method. Just make sure to hold on tight and use a surface you don't mind getting beaten up a bit. I find it's usually best to do this type of geode cracking outside, rather than on the floor or on a table. You're more likely to end up with a larger number of small geode chunks that make lovely display pieces, you might not have a fully functional sock afterwards!
The Pipe Cutter Method
Some people use pipe cutters, they're the closest thing that exists to a geode opening tool, but they might be a bit overkill if you want to crack open a geode at home. They're really good at applying pressure all the way around, so it's a very good way to split a geode in two. I've even seen some people using a soil pipe cutter, they're definitely a bit of an investment to buy, but some places do have large ones that visitors can use. They use a heavy duty chain, wrapped tightly around the geode, and squeezes until it cracks open. Doing it this way, you end up with a lovely geode, and its usually part of a fun day out as well.
A Final Note
All of my geodes are natural, with clear white quartz inside, usually appearing as white, but sometimes they can look a little bit smokier on the inside. I get natural quartz geodes from Morocco, and the exact colour is based on if there was other minerals in the geode formation underground. Some other people have artificial geodes, that have been dyed different colours, and while these look beautiful they aren't natural.
Happy geode cracking! If you'd like to try it out yourself, you can get Crack Your Own Geodes or Cracked Quartz Clusters delivered across the UK. There are lots of sizes, and I don't mind getting requests for a specific one online, or if you'd rather, you can find out what events I'll be at to pick your own by hand! I'd love to see photos of all your geodes once you've cracked them, so please feel free to send them over or upload them online and tag me @SelenicSpirit. I also have some videos of me doing some geode cracking of my own over on TikTok which I'll link below.
Lauren x
https://www.tiktok.com/@selenicspirit/video/7334822269241281825?_r=1&_t=8kIRLM8ZMgr
https://www.tiktok.com/@selenicspirit/video/7335193649917070625?_r=1&_t=8kIRLx2SXjN