How to Make Brine to Clean Crystals In

Brine is basically salty water and has to be used when cleaning salt-based crystals. There are few places where one can purchase this necessary liquid and so in some cases you need to make your own.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sacrificial crystals of the type you want to clean the brine with
• Bucket
• Black trash bag

1. Fill your bucket about 3/4 of the way up with water.

2. Place the crystals to be dissolved into the water. Use whatever amount of crystals you have available. The more you add in the better the brine will be.

3. Place the bucket filled with water and crystals outside in the sun inside the trash bag. The trash bag, being black and lying in the sun, will heat the water and the crystals.

4. Leave it there for 4-5 hours or until the crystals are mostly dissolved.

5. Stir and use the brine to wash your crystals.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not the real brine that your crystals grew in. It is not equal to it, but will make a reasonable substitute when needed.
• Never leave your crystals soaking in brine. The crystals will be etched and may dissolve.

[tachic]

on 3/25/2009 Good article with easy to follow steps.

[prism]

on 1/23/2009 Good info. The only thing I ever heard of to clean/clear crystals is salt. Thanks for the info on another option!

[tylamac]

on 1/14/2009 This great info. I've always had a fascination with gems and minerals. I'd really like to pursue my interest further.

[HowDragon]

on 12/23/2008 Great idea for making brine! Thanks! 5*

[Thims]

on 12/12/2008 Neat subject. I wonder if other substances can be cleaned with this stuff!?