How to Grow Alum & Salt Crystals
Dictionary.com defines crystals as "a solid body having a characteristic internal structure and enclosed by symmetrically arranged plane surfaces, intersecting at definite and characteristic angles." Some examples of crystals are gems like diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Interestingly, simple crystals can be grown using a variety of substances that may be sitting on the shelves in your home, such as borax, charcoal and sugar. Two simple recipes for crystals involve alum and salt, both of which can be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store.
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Things You'll Need
- Alum or salt
- 2 glass jars
- Saucer
- Nylon fishing line
- Pencil or butter knife
Instructions
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Alum Crystals
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1
Pour ½ cup of hot tap water into a clean jar.
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2
Stir the alum into the hot water until no more will dissolve.
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3
Leave the jar in an undisturbed place overnight.
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4
Pour the liquid into another clean jar. Do not let any of the solid material pour into the new jar.
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5
Select the best of one of the crystals remaining in the original jar and tie it to the end of the nylon fishing line. Tie the other end to a pencil or butter knife.
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6
Hang the crystal in the second jar so that it is covered by the water, but not touching the bottom or sides of the jar. You can shorten the nylon line by twisting around on the pencil or knife.
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7
Set the jar aside so it will not be disturbed for a few days to a couple of weeks. The crystal will continue to grow until it fully forms.
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8
Remove the crystal from the jar and allow it to dry.
Salt Crystals
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9
Pour water into a small pan and allow the water to boil.
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10
Add salt until no more will dissolve.
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11
Pour a small amount of the salt solution onto a saucer and let the water evaporate. Salt crystals should form. Carefully scrape one from the saucer.
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12
Tie one of the salt crystals to the end of a nylon fishing line and the other end to a pencil or butter knife.
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13
Hang the salt crystal in the remaining salt solution in the jar.
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14
Set the jar aside so it will not be disturbed for several days or weeks in a cool, dry location.
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15
Remove the crystal from the jar when it stops growing and allow it to dry.
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1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit salt image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
