Taken from the Greek word Geoides (which translates roughly to “earthlike”) a geode is a type of rock that is typically plain and simple on the inside, but contains stunning, sparkly crystals on the inside that can come in a variety of different colors and patterns.
Do you have a geode that you need to open but you’re unsure of how to do it?
The good news is that you’ve come to the right place, because in this article, we are going to be talking you through 3 simple methods that you can follow in order to crack open your geode without damaging it.
You know what to do – just keep on reading!
What You’ll Need
One of the most fascinating things about geodes is that they almost always come in different colors and crystal formations.
While the majority of geodes are found naturally in the desert, they can be found in many other places and can range from agate, dolomite minerals, pure quartz crystals and even chalcedony.
Thanks to this, you’ll never quite know what you are going to get when opening a geode, as each one is totally unique.
So, if you happen to have your very first geode and you want to be able to open it, you’ll need to make sure you have the following items to do it safely:
Safety goggles
Gloves
Chisel
Sledgehammer (or a similar alternative)
Diamond saw (ideally)
Pipe cutter
Prior to going ahead and cutting open your geodes, you are first going to need to make sure that you are wearing the correct safety gear.
What safety gear you choose to wear is entirely up to you, although we highly recommend that you make sure to, at the very least, wear safety goggles and gloves.
Along with making sure that you are wearing the right safety gear, you should also make sure that you know how to use the tools that you will be using prior to using them.
In addition to this, it is also very important that you always remember that you cannot cut the rocks when they are dry, as this could cause dust to begin permeating through the air which can be highly dangerous to your lungs (see also ‘14 Beautiful Dangerous Crystals‘).
Now that we’ve covered all of that, let’s take a closer look at some of the best ways that you can cut a geode in our next section.
How To Cut A Geode
As we have already briefly said above, there are a few different ways that you can go about cutting a geode. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways below:
Using The Geode
This is one of the most common ways that people will opt to open up their geodes. If you do not happen to have any tools to hand (or you’re unsure of how to use them confidently) then you can easily open up one geode by firmly striking it on another one.
Keep in mind that this method is only ideal for smaller geodes as they can typically break a lot easier than medium to large sized geodes.
Using A Sledgehammer
If you do not have another geode to hand or you want a cleaner cut of the geode – then we recommend that you consider using a sledgehammer.
This is one of the most affordable ways that you can cut open a geode, and it is ideal for those that want to be able to cut their geode into smaller pieces.
If you would like to try out this method when opening up your next geode, simply place your geode on a hard surface (that you don’t mind cutting open the geode on) and then proceed to take your sledgehammer and knock the geode until it breaks open.
Remember, make sure that you are wearing all of your safety equipment while doing this!
Using A Diamond Saw
This is another way that you can easily and effectively open up your geode, and it is the best option for those that want to be able to smoothly cut their geode in two halves.
If you want to cut your geode using a diamond saw, then all you will need to do is simply place the geode on a hard surface and then proceed to begin cutting into the geode until it has been sliced into two halves.
Keep in mind, however, that diamond saws typically tend to contain oil (in order to make the slicing a little easier) and this can sometimes cause the geode (see also, ‘How Are Geodes Formed?‘) to become damaged depending on what type of crystal has formed on the inside.
Just like if you were to use a sledgehammer, you will also need to make sure that you are using your safety equipment if you plan to use a diamond saw to cut your geode in two.
With A Pipe Cutter
Last but certainly not least, the final way that you can cut open your geode is by using an iron pipe cutter.
This is one of the most common types of ways that a geode can be opened safely, and is perfect for those that want to cut their geode into two equal pieces.
If you would like to use a pipe cutter, simply take the chain and wrap it around the geode. From there, you will need to fasten the pipe cutter and then simply proceed to pull down the handle until the geode has been smoothly sliced into two.
The Bottom Line
There we have it! Now that you have spent some time reading through this guide, we hope that we have been able to show you all the different ways that you can open up your geode stone.
Remember, whichever option you choose, make sure that you are wearing your safety equipment. Thank you for reading this guide, and goodbye for now.
Hi, my name is Andrea Daehma and I have been collecting and using crystals in my everyday life for just over six years now.
I have my own collection of crystals gracing my house, several for every scenario I could think of.
Learning about crystals has truly changed my life, and I want to help others turn their life around too. Please enjoy my website and find your own small stone to begin your crystal journey with!
