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Breaking Open Geodes

Quartz concretions and geodes can be found in bedrock along the shores of Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lake. They also are found loose on the ground, in creek beds, or along the lake shore, where they have weathered from the bedrock. Many loose concretions and geodes are already broken by natural processes. Others need to be broken to determine if the nodule is a partly-hollow geode. There is no secret for determining which quartz nodules or concretions (potential geodes) are going to be solid or hollow from the outside. The relative weight of the nodule or concretion can be a good hint, though. If it is lighter than it seems it should be, it may be a hollow, crystal-lined geode. Care should be taken when breaking open geodes. Basic eye safety precautions should be taken, since rock chips can fly in any direction when using a hammer to break open geodes. Also, if possible, use a hammer approved for use on rocks, as the metal in some hammers may chip on hard geodes.

 

 

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