The young lad's name is Daerek Wilson, a nine year old who had just begun getting into rocks and minerals. His dad got him a rock tumbler kit for Christmas. Now that is a great start but think back to when you were nine years old! Ask yourself, if you could seal rocks up in a tumbler and just watch it turn round and round for several days before you could see the rocks again. Would you not get very impatient to see some results? He did not tell me this but I felt it and wanted to do something to give him immediate tangible results. While listening to his dad, Keith, tell me about the rock tumbler, I suggested that I could pick out a small geode to give to his son and cut it open for him once he had a chance to examine it for a few days. Sort of like "dangling the carrot". This would also give him time to study it and hopefully have questions to ask when I did see him. Keith readily agreed and I picked out one that I thought had possibilities, for him to give to his son.

The morning of the 29th I saw Daerek and his dad at breakfast. He didn't waste any time coming over to ask questions. Just by his questions, I knew giving him the uncut geode a few days earlier was a good idea and had done exactly what I hoped it would - it prompted him to wonder and think about it.

He was with a friend named Josh Gronskei and shared with him that he was coming over to my place later to see this geode cut and polished. When we left, we told them we would be expecting them about 11 am, as agreed on the previous day with his dad.

They arrived promptly, Daerek with geode in hand and all smiles, along with Josh and his Dad Keith.

Prospector Ron's Lapidary Workshop Click here to enlarge

We're Here! Click here to enlarge

After greeting them it was time for the mini tour of the lapidary equipment. I especially wanted to explain the need for using proper tools and safety equipment when cutting and grinding. I'm sure they may have understood the need to be safe around machinery but honestly believe they were more concerned with cutting the geode clutched tightly in Daerek's hand. Although they were anxious to see inside the goede, I did notice that they were very attentive as they listened to my safety pointers.

Checking out the saw! Click here to enlarge

Safety First!. Click here to enlarge

Perhaps, in case you are wondering about the size of Daerek's geode, it is about 2 inches in diameter, or 45 millimeters. It also had a good round shape to it. This is not always the case as some of them range from oval to other odd shapes. However, the shape has nothing to do with what's inside, just a note for those who may be wondering.

Now, on to the geode. First, I needed to explain how to examine and figure out the best way to cut it for maximum exposure of whatever might be inside. This is done by looking for the flow lines on the outside. Once the direction of the flow lines are determined, you rotate the geode 90 degrees and cut across the flow lines. (This is according to Paul Colburn, AKA "The Geode Kid", who is the owner at Baker Lode Mine, where this particular geode came from.) I have found that this proceedure has always yielded the best results for cutting any geode or nodule.

A light on the Subject. Click here to enlarge

Examining Daerek's Geode. Click here to enlarge

Having had our little safety talk and discussion on how to orientate the geode for cutting, the moment had arrived to discover what no one had ever seen - the inside of Daerek's geode. I think I was just as excited as the boys were. Partly for them but also for me. The results are always different and great to see.

The saw being used to cut this small geode ia a 4" MK tile saw with a diamond blade. With the boys watching, I cut Daerek's geode. I kept both hands together hiding the mysterious insides, walked out into the sunlight and slowly opened the halves to expose its secret to all of us for the first time.

Cutting Daerek's Geode Click here to enlarge	Curious Daerek. Click here to enlarge
What's Inside? Nobody Knows Yet! Click here to enlarge	There it is! Click here to enlarge

There it was, beautiful bands of burgundy cascading to pink, with a pocket of miniature quartz crystals in the center. Certainly a great geode for anyone's collection. Daerek and Josh's eyes became as big and bright as the inside of that geode when they saw it. They were truly amazed at what this lumpy, bumpy little rock revealed.

WOW! Click here to enlarge

Checking it out! Click here to enlarge

I, for one, can't remember when I was so fulfilled as I was when I shared with them the joy of seeing inside that geode for the first time. Their wide-eyed reaction was my reward.