Geodes

Pink geode by Fran W.

Today’s Topic: Geodes

Did you know…

A mummified frog was discovered in a flint geode in 1899!

Today’s Activity: Make your own "geode"


It may take thousands of years for a real geode to form, but with this activity you will have crystals growing in just a few days!


The following sites will explain how to grow your own crystal "geodes":


Crystal Geode Project
Make a crystal geode with alum, hot water, clean egg shells or plaster of Paris, and food coloring


Make your own Geode Egg
Make a geode with borax, hot water, clean egg shells, and food coloring


We made a variety of "geodes" using sugar, salt or alum and poured each solution into clean egg shells.


Here are the results of our experiment:

Picture 1: Salt "geode"

Picture 1 We added green food coloring (made with blue and yellow food coloring) to a salt solution and poured it into a clean egg shell.
As you can see the colors separated! It was very interesting to watch. We allowed the solution to evaporate on its own which took a couple of weeks. 

Picture 2: Alum

Picture 3: Alum

Pictures 2 and 3 This solution was made with alum, a pickling spice, and it made crystals that look like a hexagon. Each one took a couple of weeks to become what you see.

Picture 4: Sugar

Picture 4 This solution was made with sugar and blue food coloring. Our solution was very saturated and as the water evaporated, it looked like a thick tar-like syrup! 


Note: Results may vary.


Tip: Be sure to make a super-saturated solution so that your crystals will grow.


Question of the day:


How does a geode form?


Learn more:


Rocks for Kids: Geode
Gallery of geode pictures and facts


Wikipedia: Geode
Learn how geodes are formed, coloration, and where they can be found


Rock Frogs
Find out how a frog winds up inside a rock!


If you would like more information about geodes, please join my Fran's World Yahoo! Group. It is free to join and open to everyone.
Already a member? Please use this link: 'Geodes'