30 Across

NYT Daily • August 2, 2025

It's most beautiful when broken

Answer:

GEODE

Hint:

["**Hint:** \"This rocky treasure hides its sparkle until it's split open.\"\n\n*(This hint suggests that the answer is something that appears plain but reveals beauty when opened or broken, guiding the solver toward \"geode\" without giving it away directly.)*"]

Explanation:

Certainly! Here's a clear and concise explanation of the clue and answer: **Clue:** "It's most beautiful when broken" **Answer:** "GEODE" **Explanation:** A **geode** is a rock formation that appears ordinary and plain on the outside but reveals stunning crystal formations when cracked open. The clue plays on this characteristic—geodes are "most beautiful when broken" because their inner beauty is only visible once they are split apart. The wordplay hinges on the literal meaning of breaking open a geode to uncover its hidden beauty, making it a clever and fitting answer to the clue.

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