How to Make Crystal Stones

Growing crystal stones is one of the most popular science projects from the early school years through college. There are literally thousands of recipes and techniques to form the crystals into different geometric shapes as well as base compounds. Salt crystals are some of the safest and easiest crystals to grow using ingredients easily obtained from a grocery store.

Things You'll Need

• Rock salt
• Food coloring
• Purified water (bottled)
• Ammonia sulfate
• Glass beaker or jar
• Wooden spoon
• Heavy yarn or nylon thread

Instructions

1. Pour 8 oz. of purified water into the glass jar you will use to grow your crystal. You can heat the water, as this will allow the salt to be absorbed more quickly, but this is not necessary.

2. Add 3 tbsp. of rock salt to your purified water. Any crystalline base material can be used, such as sugar or table salt. The key is to add just enough material that when mixed it will mostly be dissolved with very little at the bottom of the jar.

3. Use the wooden spoon to stir the salt until it is evenly dissolved into the water. It is okay if there is some rock salt left at the bottom of the jar. The wooden spoon will not react with the mixture as many metallic objects will.

4. Add 4 to 5 drops of your choice of food coloring to the water. You can use more or less to get the color and hue that you desire. You may repeat this step each day. (Optional)

5. Add 1 drop of ammonia sulfate to solution each day, starting with the first day. The ammonia sulfate helps to crystallize the rock salt.

6. Hang your heavy yarn or thread into the mixture so that it does not touch any sides or the bottom. This is where your crystals will grow. Some crystals will grow on the sides and bottom of the jar, this is normal.

7. Repeat Step 5 every day for up to a week as your crystals grow.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use magnets set in different positions around your jar to modify the growth of crystals. Sunlight will also change the hue of your crystals as they grow. Do not move your jar around once you begin growing crystals as this will upset the growing process. You can use multiple objects inside the solution as a seed to grow additional crystals.

• Do not drink the mixture, while not deadly, it can make small children or pets sick. After removing your crystals, be sure to dispose of the growing mixture immediately. Spilling the mixture on skin and clothes can cause permanent stains.

References

• Crystal Growing Resource