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How to Grow Water Crystals

Crystals are formed when a liquid cools and turns into a solid. The solid forms in a three-dimensional pattern. Nature takes millions of years to make crystals., but kids make them in the kitchen in a matter of days or weeks. The components are a chemical (such as alum, salt or sugar) and water. Color can be added with food coloring.

Things You'll Need

4 ounces alum powder
1 pint water
Medium saucepan
1-pint jar very clean
Cheesecloth or coffee filter (enough to cover jar opening)
1 saucer
12 inches string
Chopstick or popsicle stick

Instructions

Alum Crytals
- 1
  Purchase a jar of alum.You can find it in the spices section. Pour 1 pint of water into a pan. Begin to slowly add 4 ounces of alum powder to the water. Heat the mixture, stirring to dissolve the powder. Keep adding more alum powder until no more of it will dissolve in the water.
- 2
  Pour the mixture into the jar. Let it cool. Pour a couple of tablespoons of the solution into the saucer. Place the saucer where it can cool. Cover the jar with the cheesecloth or coffee filter.
- 3
  Check the saucer after a few days. You will see small crystals in the bottom. Let them continue to grow until all of the solution dries up. Remove the largest crystal. Tie the string around it. Wind the other end around the chopstick. Hang the crystal on its string in the jar. Keep it from falling in by resting the chopstick across the opening of the jar. The crystal is now suspended in the middle of the solution.
- 4
  Put the jar away in a warm place. A pantry or closet works well. Check your crystal every day. If it is not growing take the crystal out. Put the solution back into the pan and reheat it. Add more alum. Let it cool. Put it back in the jar. Suspend the crystal once again and wait. When it is finished growing you will see a cluster of crystals all along the string.

Rocks & Minerals