Lets talk Indiana Geodes

[2ADMNLOVER]

What are these things , what do they look like and why so much interest in them ?

I understand the fascination with ancient indian relics but why these rocks ?

 

[m82mike]

Please count me in. Geodes are a blast to crack open. some are nothing and some are really neat!

 

[jontheturboguy]

What are these things , what do they look like and why so much interest in them ?

I understand the fascination with ancient indian relics but why these rocks ?

Far from being "precious" they could be considered "semi-precious"" gemstone. When cut & polished properly, and a good one with good crystals found inside, they make great coasters, book ends, and jewelry.

 

[Jack Ryan]

File:Chalcedony geode.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Clay]

I might be interested. Where does the Big Vermillion meet the wabash? I have no clue!

 

[RelicHound]

Id be interested in this for sure!
I use to be more of a rock hound than a relic hound I use to go with my pops to Harrison county to look for geodes and fossils....I have fond memories of those days,would love to bring my daughter

 

[AGarbers]

The "Indian Beads" are crinoid stem segments.
Geodes can be found in great quantities in just about any stream bed in Jackson, Monroe, and Brown Counties.
They vary it what type of crystals they have inside.

 

[firehawk1]

Another good place to look for them is Pine Hills Nature Preserve. It's across the road on the eastside of Shades State Park. Used to go there alot when I lived in Crawfordsville.

 

[Clay]

Now i know you will get in a lot of trouble if you take them out of the woods. I had to pay a fairly large fine. They are worth good money if not broken open.

why do you get fined for taking them out of the woods? Never heard this before

 

[jontheturboguy]

I think all (maybe some?) National Parks are protected from you taking any thing form them. Even the smallest pebble.

I know out west, in Yosemite, taking any thing is a huge no no.

 

[Squirt239]

I've thought I'd found geodes before...when in fact they were just rocks. I'm not sure how to tell the difference :-D

 

[firehawk1]

I've thought I'd found geodes before...when in fact they were just rocks. I'm not sure how to tell the difference :-D

They are sort of round, knotty/lumpy looking rock. From my experience, once my father showed me one YEARS ago, they easily stand out from other rocks. Wish I had a pic of one, I'd post it up.

I've found some that when opened had very little inside, but others where loaded with crystals.

 

[Raye7r]

My grandson would love to get in on this.

 

[Anonym]

I had a construction project in northern Washington county where we were trenching in a water line and there were so many geodes that they would bind up the trencher on a very regular basis. They ranged in the softball to volleyball size. I took a few home with me, but there are so many that some of the locals would cement them together for mailboxes, fenceposts, and I've even seen grain silos covered in them.

 

[onepine]

Samot, My nephew, 13, has been asking me to take him somewhere to find some geodes. I would very much like to take him to your pit if the invitation is still open. Please let me know, Thanks

 

[archenstone]

I know this is old but does samot still do the geode thing? I'd love to take my son out geode hunting. I'm around New Castle and all the geode spots I've found are south west of indianapolis and thats a bit far XD

 

[gungirl65]

I think it would be awesome to go geode hunting if Samot still allows it.

Growing up in the 70's & 80's my parents were members of the Blackford and Grant county geological societies. We used to hunt for all kinds of cool rocks and go to the rock shows. Hunting for rocks took us to lots of interesting places.

We used to hunt for geodes in the creeks somewhere around Bedford. We hunted fossils in Dugger at one of the quarries. Finding a rare trilobite was like winning the lottery. We hunted lake superior agates and Petoskey stones in Michigan. I also remember hunting dolomite, pyrite, and quartz somewhere between the two states.

Rock hunting was a lot of fun. I can remember being given an Estwing rock pick to dig rocks out with and a canvas army water bucket to put the rocks in. I was usually free to roam the quarry or site we were at. It was awesome.

Perhaps my rock hunting days are why I am so drawn to the creek beds in the park. I can't wait for the weather to warm up and dry out so I can walk them. I still pick up small rocks occasionally. I just put them in my rock fountain.

Here's a pic of a deformed baby geode in what looks like geode matter. It always reminded me of an egg. I just pulled it out of the fountain so it has some water deposits on it.

 

[archenstone]

that is awesome. I used to find generic stones in my yard in florida and break them open because the insides where so clear and shiny! Even when I got older I bought polished rocks and collected them, still have many that stay displayed. My kids love em too, especially my little girls. I think my son would take and interest in breaking rocks open. After all how often to little boys get to break things and its okay?

edit: meant to add that the geode you show looks really neat. I've never seen one quite like that.

 

[dangar]

My son would also love a geode hunting expedition. I'll PM Samot to let him know this old post has resurrected. If his gravel pit hasn't been cleared of geodes, maybe he'll be open to hosting again.

 

[Clay]

that would be awesome!!