Secret Treasures:

Geodes

Geodes are very, very, interesting rocks because they are a package with very plain wrapping that can hold incredibly beautiful treasures inside!

Millions of years ago when the earth's crust was in a molten state, round pockets of gases formed and provided places for minerals to collect after the magma cooled and became solid. Geodes are, in fact, what is left of these mineral pockets. When you crack them open you can see the beautiful crystals formed by time and nature!

Geodes are easy to find in nature stores or you can order them from geological supply companies. The ones we got were only $1.50 apiece, so kids can afford them.

You must be careful in opening your present from Mother Nature. Here is how to do it:

1- Gather the tools you need. A hammer, a small chisel, a small towel, and a concrete surface.

2- Place your Geode on the concrete surface. Cover it with the towel. (This is to keep small pieces from flying everywhere and perhaps hurting you or someone nearby!)

3- Place the chisel approximately in the middle of the stone and hold it steady with one hand. 4- Gently hit the chisel with the hammer on the rock until it breaks open. It may take a couple of tries and it seldom breaks cleanly into two equal halves, but you almost always have a wonderful sight to see created millions of years ago.

Go back to the Mining Tunnels!