A geode looks very similar to an ordinary rock, but when you split it open, it is full of rocks and minerals of varying colors, including quartz, jade, amethyst, and agate. Geodes are found in Mexico and the United States, especially in the Southwest, Southeast, and Midwest. When they are open, it is easy to know that the rock is a geode, but when they are closed, you need to know how to tell them apart from rocks that are not geodes. Read on to learn how to tell if a rock is a geode.
Know Where You Should Look for Geodes
If you are searching for geodes, you will want to have a geode map. This map is a guide that will tell you where you can find certain geological formations. Geodes will only be found in particular regions where the conditions are present for this kind of rock to form. Most maps indicate that geodes are common in the following states in the United States:
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
In addition, geodes are found in the following locations:
- Mexico
- Namibia
- Uruguay
- Brazil
If you are in one of these locations, you should look for limestone and basalt rocks. You can also find geodes in lakes and riverbeds. If you are near a volcano, you might find them there as well because the basalt and tuffs rocks also encourage geode formation. Make sure that you aren’t on protected land or private property when you look for these rock formations.
Look for Round, Medium-Sized Rocks
Geodes that are not open may look similar to a normal rock, but they often are round or shaped like an egg. If you are looking at a pointy rock or a sharp rock, it is unlikely that it is a geode, because these formations are usually round and smooth. Geodes will have a bumpy texture on the surface, similar to a head of cauliflower. You may be able to see evidence of the internal crystals on the outside of the geode. You should lift the rock into the palm of your hand and see how heavy it feels. If you find that it is lighter than you would expect, it might be a geode.
Crack the Rock Open with a Hammer
If you think you have found a geode, you should try to break it open with a hammer or a pickax. Place the rock on the ground, and strike it in the center. You should be able to split it in half easily because the rock is hollow inside.
Once you get it open, you can use a mineral identification key to find out what the mineral is on the inside. Once you find a geode, you can polish the mineral or stone inside. You can use a sander to grind the geode into the shape you desire, and then you can polish it with a cloth. You will start to see the luster of the rock when you polish it.
It can be a lot of fun to hunt for geodes, but you need to do it in a place where you can find them. If you are looking for them in a place that doesn’t have any, you will be searching in vain. If you know you are in the right location, you should look for rocks that are irregularly rounded. They are always worth cracking open because even the most common ones are pretty and can make you feel as though you have found something special.
Geodes are special rock formations, and they have beautiful crystal formations inside. Once you have some experience, as long as you are in the right region, you will know how to choose rocks that are most likely to be geodes. It can be very rewarding when you uncover one.