Q&A for How to Identify an Unopened Geode

Yes! Your land has the right conditions to be be growing minerals such as quartz, and more importantly geodes! They're definitely worth cracking. Even if they aren't rare or uncommon, even the most common geode can look pretty.

They tend to be lighter than other stones of the same size. If you shake it gently and hear a rattling sound, it's hollow. Some geodes don't rattle and are solid, but still beautiful when opened.

That depends on the size and they type of crystals inside; amethyst is more valuable than quartz.

It is possible, but it depends on where you live. If you live in the country, it might be easier because there are many more rocks there than there are in the city. It also depends on the geology of where you live and look.

Yes. Geodes can be found in river banks in some areas.

Geodes are somewhat shiny on the outside and come in different shapes and sizes, but most are oval. Look for oval-shaped rocks that have different layers visible on the outside.

You can use a regular hammer, a decent sized nail, and a sock for a clean break.

Geodes can be just about any color of the rainbow inside. The external surface can range from brown to gray to beige and many colors in between.

A lot of geodes can be found in the south due to its rich history of mining. Many museums have them on display.

Geodes can be found almost anywhere. Some places have more than others, and Virginia is not known for ease of finding them but it's possible.

You can find geodes just about anywhere, but for better luck, look in limestone rich areas of the Appalachian Mountains.

Simply where Amethyst is native to grow. If amethyst is not known to grow in your area, then you will find it hard or even impossible to find an amethyst geode. A great rocky area with a huge variety of minerals is California, and yes, amethyst grows there.

Geodes contain minerals, primarily crystals. Gold is a metal, so no. Diamonds are crystals, but they are formed under extreme heat and pressure. It is unlikely you'd find a diamond in a geode.

Morgan Hill is rocky, so I would say so. Geodes can form anywhere, they are just more common in certain areas. California has a gigantic variety of minerals, including native and rare ones. Look for them around mountains, caves, or just anywhere with lots of rocks.

They usually stand out from other rocks, but they can be almost any color. If you think you found one, bang it on concrete and if you see crystals, it's a geode.

The outside won't be shiny at all. If you've found one that's already open outside, you'll need to GENTLY clean it. I use Dawn dish soap.

Yes, California has an incredibly wide variety of minerals, and is also very rocky. Keep your eyes peeled!

They can be. There are likely to be geodes anywhere with nutrient-rich soil, and especially someplace with a lot of limestone present. However, you're more likely to find geodes in the desert.

Geodes can be absolutely gigantic. They range in all shapes and sizes and can even be taller than a 6' male.

It's really hard to say. There are some common geodes which contain quartz of all different varieties. Sometimes they can be druzy, which means that there are several small crystals coating the inside of it. Depending on what mineral is inside your geode, it could have a big range. Amethyst might be worth something. It also depends on the quality of the mineral itself.

Use a lapidary diamond-blade cutting saw to cut the geode open or to cut it in half. But be careful, as oil can damage the crystals inside.

Yes. Geodes are just metamorphic rock with a crystal inside, and they can form anywhere. Though, it depends on your landscape. You are way more likely to find them in rocky/mountain areas, and possibly creeks/rivers as water can transport rocks a long way.

Yes, there are geodes everywhere. Geodes are just minerals inside metamorphic rock in a simple sense. North Carolina actually has a wide variety of minerals, and you are just bound to find one. You may want to check the more mountainy and rocky areas as that's where you are bound to find them.

Yes, if your rock is bumpy and larger than a pebble, you are likely to have a geode. However, if there are holes straight through it, no. That is not how a geode forms, unless it has eroded.

Lime stone quarts and other geodes such as magnetite are geodes used to track paranormal activity, so, yes.

Clear or milky means they're likely quartz, which is a common crystal. Unless they're really big, they're probably not worth too much.

Anywhere that is rocky, especially mountainous areas. Geodes are likely to grow in caves and mineral rich areas as well.

Absolutely, but depending on where you live, it might be less common or rare to find.

No. New Jersey is rather small and densely populated.

No, but geodes can be found in rocky places and near streams and rivers that have rocky banks.