How to Grow Copper Sulphate Crystals

Copper sulphate crystals feature a brilliant blue color absent in other homemade crystals. Grow individual copper sulphate crystals or crystal clusters and display them as wire-wrapped jewelry or windowsill decorations. They also make impressive science projects and offer a mature twist on the elementary school salt or sugar crystals. These crystals grow slowly, but mixing the foundation solution is pretty simple as long as you use the right proportions.

Things You'll Need

• Distilled water
• Saucepan
• Copper sulphate granules
• Metal spoon
• Glass jar

Instructions

1. Pour about 1 cup of distilled water into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer. When small bubbles begin breaking the surface, remove the water from heat.

2. Add ½ cup of copper sulphate granules to your hot water, stirring until all the granules dissolve. The result should be a cloudy blue mixture.

3. Pour your blue mixture into a glass jar. Place the jar in a warm, sunny place. Do not put a lid on the jar; the crystals grow as the liquid evaporates and leaves behind the blue crystals.

4. Wait about 24 hours. Tiny blue spikes should form in the bottom of your jar. Wait until these crystals reach about ¼ inch before removing them. You might also wait for all of the liquid to evaporate to get a crystal cluster.

Tips & Warnings

• Never eat copper sulphate crystals or use the utensils for making them in cooking food.

References

• Wayne's This and That: Growing Exotic Crystals
• Hampton Research: Homemade Geodes
• Oregon State: An Amazing Crystal Garden