Here at HillBilly Rocks, our ebay store, we get many questions on how to split a geode. There are basically only three ways, so we finished out the list with our own humorous attempt at being helpful. We welcome your questions, and do our best to send prompt, courteous, and helpful replies to each and every one.

Top Ten Ways To Split A Geode:

10.  Use a wet masonry or lapidary saw with a diamond blade.

  9.  Hammer & Chisel Scoreline method--Tap chisel with hammer all the way around the center of geode until you have a scoreline, then just keep tapping until it splits. Note: this method is time consuming and requires a fair amount of patience.

  8.  Hammer--Sock method--Place geode in an old sock and hit it with a hammer. For larger geodes, wrap geode in an old towel. This usually works well, especially if there are children around, but don't expect a nice even split with this method.

  7.  Drop geode from the top of a thirty story building. Those of you who have tried the hammer-chisel method will have already considered this.

  6.  If you have more than one geode, you might try the Geode on a Geode method, also known as Finding the Soft Spot. Soak the geode you want to split in water for several days to "soften" it up. Then drop it against another geode. This may take several attempts, as the hardest spot on one geode must come in direct contact with the softest spot on the other geode for actual splittage to occur.

  5.  If you have tried the above methods with minimal success, burnt up your saw, worn out two hammers, a chisel, and a basket full of socks...there's always the Jimmy Walker method....Dyn O Mite!

  4.  If your not quite that frustrated yet, you might try the Barrel-Tree method. Bury your geode in a barrel of dirt, then plant a tree in it. In 2 to 20 years, the tree roots will grow through and split the geode. Note: this is NOT the fastest method, but it's probably the safest.

  3.  For faster, more timely splittage, get Ella Fitzgerald to sing to your geode. For those of you who are old enough to remember Memorex, you know what to do.

  2.  Luke Skywalker method--if you happen to have a light sabre handy, well, why didn't you try that in the first place? May the Force always be with you.

  1.  Take Karate lessons, and , when you have mastered the technique, split it with your bare hands!